UNESCO recognition for Međimurska Popevka and its cultural significance in Croatia
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
Međimurska Popevka (Photo credit: Međimurska Županija)
ZAGREB, 3 June (Hina) – Croatia’s Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek on Friday presented UNESCO charters to performers of “Međimurska popevka”, a folksong from the northern Croatian Međimurje region which in 2018 was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“Međimurska popevka” is an integral part of Međimurje County’s popular culture and a favourite and recognisable symbol of Croatian identity.
Obuljen Koržinek said that the intangible heritage was continually being preserved and promoted owing to the work of the Culture and Media Ministry and all local and regional stakeholders who recognise its value.
(Photo credit: Međimurska Županija)
(Photo credit: Međimurska Županija)
She recalled that Croatia has 21 elements of cultural heritage included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity while 215 are included in the National Register of Cultural Heritage.
(Photo credit: Međimurska Županija)
Međimurje County head Matija Posavec said that Međimurje is a small region without big cathedrals or monuments but that it has a monument and institute called “Međimurska popevka”, noting that Međimurje would not be a Croatian region today if it had not been for “Međimurska popevka”.
(Photo credit: Međimurska Županija)
(Photo credit: Međimurska Županija)
“You have been a part of and the strength behind a great wheel that initiated the creation of this monument of ours, a monument that will endure for future generations, and you have helped make Međimurska Popevka an institution. If it weren’t for Popevka, Međimurje would not have preserved its language, identity, and this would not have been a Croatian region. It is truly a treasure of humanity, and I am glad that UNESCO recognized it,” he said.
