More than a hundred Brabant princes and carnival princesses have called on the cabinet to nominate the annual festival for the international list of intangible heritage of the United Nations.
“Tonight we want to write history,” the carnival authorities said at their annual drink in the provincial government office in Den Bosch.
“Carnival has been part of our culture for centuries. Thanks to the diversity of this party, almost everyone feels happy and happy. By capturing this diversity and propagating it widely, more Dutch people feel welcome to enjoy carnival,” said Prince Mienus XIV of Kraaiendonk (Oosterhout) at Broadcasting Brabant. “That is why carnival must be classified as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.”
More than a hundred princes and princesses directly supported the call in a charter, which was also signed by King’s Commissioner Wim van de Donk.
From generation to generation
The initiators think they have a good chance. Last month, culture minister Ingrid van Engelshoven announced the Rotterdam Summer Carnival and the flower processions nominates for a place on the list of UNESCO. “The corso culture and the Summer Carnival reflect the cultural diversity of the Netherlands. Intangible heritage connects people and gives them a sense of identity,” the minister then said.
The similarities to carnival are great, says Prince Mienus XIV: “In Brabant, Limburg and many cities and towns outside it, people yearn for this celebration. With all its rituals and traditions it has become part of who we are. It is our heritage that we pass on from generation to generation. “
Deep breath
Placement on the list requires a long breath. The nomination for the corso culture will be submitted this year. Next year a special committee will make a decision about registering on the UNESCO list. The nomination for the summer carnival will be submitted in 2021.
If the minister agrees with the nomination of carnival, it is therefore the turn of the people’s festival in 2022 at the earliest. At the end of last year, the carnival of the Flemish Aalst was removed from the list, because there would be “caricatural display of Jews” on the floats.
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