Application for the theory of harmony to be included in the UNESCO list of intangible world cultural heritage

The procedure requires that such an application cannot be submitted directly, but must first be included in a country's cultural heritage list. In Switzerland, the responsible commission, headed by the Federal Office of Culture, meets every 5 years. The application was submitted on October 8th, 2021 and receipt was confirmed on October 21st, 2021.

Federal Councilor Viola Amherd, Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, has visited this page and, in her letter dated June 23, 2022, wishes every success for the Commission's pending decision.

According to a media release dated August 22, 2023, the application was not approved and the Christian symbolism and the ethical content of Western harmony were not included in the list. Science blog B 34: “The decision of the Federal Office of Culture” provides information on the background.

The answer from Rome

After the tasks of the Pontificio Consiglio della Cultura were assigned to another institution by Pope Francis in 2022, the decision now rests with the Dicastero per la Cultura e l'Educazione.

A suggestion was made that the Vatican State submit the corresponding application to UNESCO. The request was submitted on October 10, 2023 and was addressed to Cardinal José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça, the Prefect of the Dicastero and also Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra.

The Swiss Ambassador to the Holy See, Ms. Manuela Leimgruber, was also included in the dialogue and in a letter dated November 15^th she invited to the embassy for a personal conversation.