Belgium Wants UNESCO to Add its Local Fries to Heritage List

Varieties

March 31st, 6:05am

Brussels – Asharq Al-Awsat

Yucel Bas prepares fries at Bas Frietjes frites stands in Sint Pieters Leeuw, Belgium, Dec. 4, 2014. (Reuters)

Only people who tasted Belgian fries can understand their great appeal. Belgian fries shops want the future generations to enjoy this experience, so they have tabled a request with Flemish authorities to apply for UNESCO world heritage. Belgian beer culture received UNESCO nomination in 2016, and fries should follow suit, said the president of a union that represents the owners of fries stands. People take Belgian fries shops as a given, something that will never disappear. But as Bernard Lefevre, president of the union points out, more and more of the mom-and-pop stores, usually run by couples, are disappearing. “The culture of fries is rooted in all of us. We're used to it, like a fixed value in our lives, therefore, we have to continue to protect it”, he said. Belgium can propose a UNESCO candidate every two years, and its regions are taking turns in suggestions, according to media reports. Flanders included fries in its list of intangible and cultural heritage in 2014, and the Flemish region will follow next year.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2891666/belgium-wants-unesco-add-its-local-fries-heritage-list