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Singapore’s hawker culture was officially approved on Wednesday (16 December) to be inscribed into UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.The 24-member inter-governmental committee (IGC) made its decision during an online meeting, following a recommendation from a 12-member evaluation body last month. “Singapore is tremendously honoured to have our hawker culture as our very first inscription on the UNESCO representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” said Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, in a video shown at the meeting after Singapore got the committee’s approval. “Hawker culture is a source of pride for Singapore. It reflects our living heritage and multiculturalism and is an integral part of the daily lives of everyone in Singapore, regardless of age, race, or background. “The journey doesn’t end here. We will continue to recognise and celebrate the knowledge and cultural practices of the hawker trade, and ensure that future generations of Singaporeans can continue to appreciate, enjoy and cherish our hawker culture.” The expert panel had assessed Singapore’s hawker culture to have fulfilled all the criteria listed by the IGC. Furthermore, it commended Singapore for nominating a cultural heritage element that is thriving in a highly urbanised and culturally diverse environment, as well as for developing safeguarding measures that effectively foster dialogue, creativity and sustainability of hawker culture. It also commended the Republic for devising creative ways to encourage the community to participate in the nomination process from the outset. The nomination was also cited as a positive example for its “celebration of intangible cultural heritage, diversity, dialogue and sustainability”. There were 42 submissions in this year's bid for inclusion into UNESCO’s list. These include mechanical watchmaking by Switzerland and France, Budima dance by Zambia and tree beekeeping culture by Poland and Belarus. Among these, 25 were recommended to be inscribed on the official intangible cultural heritage of humanity list, including Singapore's bid. There are currently 463 items in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Malaysian celebrity chefs go savage on Singapore’s goal to get hawker culture recognised by UNESCO source: Coconuts Singapore,Coconuts Singapore 24 Aug 2018 https://sg.yahoo.com/style/malaysian-celebrity-chefs-savage-singapore-023919059.html

Yeah :) A very welcome SG50 present for our Singapore :)) Singapore Botanic Gardens clinches prestigious Unesco World Heritage site status http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-botanic-gardens-clinches-prestigious-unesco-world-heritage-site-status BONN, GERMANY - The nation has its first Unesco World Heritage Site in the bag. The 156-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens was awarded the coveted status at the 39th World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn, Germany on Saturday. The listing was announced at the International Conference Centre of Bonn by the chair of the session Ruchira Kamboj, a delegate of India to Unesco. All 21 members of the World Heritage Committee elected to speak on the Gardens nomination. They lauded its various qualities, and gave it a resounding "yes". This is something we all Singaporeans should be proud of :))