Italy has launched an unprecedented effort to document and map its intangible cultural heritage, creating the first comprehensive national census of living traditions, rituals, local knowledge and community practices. This initiative, officially begun in 2023 and now showing substantial progress, is designed to record the customs and expressions that form the cultural backbone of communities across the country.
At the heart of this project is the recognition that Italy’s identity extends far beyond monuments and museums. Everyday practices, from spring rituals and religious processions to regional dialects and seasonal festivals, hold layers of meaning that connect present generations with their ancestors.
