The pretzel, savory pastry emblematic of Alsace, Germany but also of Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland and even the northeast coast of the United States could be a candidate for the intangible heritage of Unesco. The German Minister of Agriculture and Food Cem Özdemir formalized the support of the federal government for this project on August 25, 2022 in his native village in Baden-Württemberg, report our German colleagues from the SWR.
In a press release, the Minister undertakes that the initiative born of German bakers will be “transnational”. Now that the federal government is supporting the project, the age-old debates remain to be settled. The most thorny question remains that of the date and especially the place of birth of the small brioche with loops, very disputed.
Was he born in the 19th century in Bavaria? In the 15th century in the old Landschaft from Swabia? Or at the same time, in Ingwiller, at home in Alsace? This question, as well as that of the recipe, will be decided upon the official submission of the application to Unesco.
Rigorous selection
Like the baguette, a candidate since March 2021, the pretzel – if it is officially a candidate – will have to meet a list of very detailed criteria established by Unesco. The Organization recommends that the candidate must in particular be “recognized by communities as part of their cultural heritage”, “to be transmitted from generation to generation” or “to provide a sense of identity and continuity”.