The humble French baguette is being added to the UN's list of intangible cultural heritage as a cherished tradition to be preserved by humanity. Unesco experts gathering in Morocco this week decided that the simple French flute - made only from flour, water, salt, and yeast - deserves UN recognition.
The move comes after France's culture ministry warned of a "continuous decline" in the number of traditional bakeries, with some 400 closing every year over the past half a century. The UN cultural agency's chief Audrey Azoulay said the decision honours more than just bread; it recognises the "savoir-faire of artisanal bakers" and "a daily ritual".
Ms Azoulay, a former French culture minister, said: "It is important that these craft knowledge and social practices can continue to exist in the future."
