Being a miller should be on Unesco traditions list, say Dutch
The Netherlands is nominating the tradition of being a miller for inclusion on Unesco’s cultural heritage list.
This is the first time the Netherlands has nominated a Dutch tradition for inclusion in the list of social practices, rituals, festive events and skills which Unesco considers worth preserving.
The Dutch arts and culture council recommend nominating the profession because of the way millers work together to keep traditions alive in the 21st century.
The Netherlands has some 50 professional millers and more than 1,000 volunteers. The Millers’ Guild has offered formal training to become a miller since 1972 and has 2,100 members.
There are 72 items on the Netherlands’ own immaterial heritage list, including Sinterklaas, flower parades and decorative painting as well as more folksy traditions such as making milk churns explode at New Year.
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