Austria's confectioners have been classified by the UN cultural organization as an essential part of the culinary landscape – much to the pleasure of the entire branch, including practitioners in the state of Burgenland.
How does something become intangible cultural heritage? Is it a matter of popularity? Or perhaps staying power? Or maybe centuries of traditional craftsmanship? In June, the association Die Wiener Würstelstände planned to submit a special application to UNESCO, requesting recognition for Vienna's traditional sausage stands as intangible cultural heritage. And while that ruling is still outstanding, another decision has been made concerning the nation's much lauded sweets and pastries: UNESCO has now announced that the craft of Austrian confectionery has been deemed intangible cultural heritage. Master confectioners all over the country were elated – including in the Austrian state of Burgenland, where the provincial guild of the Chamber of Commerce even designed a highly-visible sign to denote the trade's new status.
The UNESCO Commission explained its ruling as based on the fact that the Austrian confectionary trade relies on centuries of knowlege and craftmanship – which has been passed from master to apprentice over many generations. In addition, cafés and patisseries are essential to the Austrian social fabric in general.
"We are delighted to have received this recognition from UNESCO, which makes us very proud", says Evelyne Goldenits, Burgenland's regional master of the confectioner's guild, in an interview with a local media outlet. "We also see this as an opportunity to promote our artisanal production, our mindful use of ingredients and our attention to detail", she adds. In particular, master confectioners in the districts of Neusiedl am See, Eisenstadt and Eisenstadt Umgebung, Mattersburg, Oberpullendorf, Güssing and Oberwart were delighted to receive their award as intangible cultural heritage.
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