The Basque Government has begun the process of declaring the Basque Country an Intangible Cultural Good of Special Protection

The Department of Culture and Linguistic Policy of the Basque Government has initiated the procedure for the declaration of the Basque Country as an Intangible Cultural Good for Special Protection, in order to recognize the capacity of the Basque Country to create, transmit and regenerate Basque culture.

This recognition would include all cultural expressions closely linked to the Basque language, such as bertsolarism, toponymy, songs, proverbs and popular narratives, but also knowledge related to festivals, gastronomy, music, dance and territory.

According to the Basque Government, "the Basque Country is not only an instrument of communication", but also "a means of expression and transmission of a culture".

In this regard, he has stated that heritage is not "preserving the past as it is" but "giving the future to the past"by renewing it and transmitting it to future generations.

To give the Basque Country "greater prestige and stronger legal and administrative recognition of the Basque Country"

In the case of intangible cultural heritage, the Government has stressed the importance of the community, since the so-called "carrying community" knows, uses and transmits the Basque language and culture, while the "living community" lives, feels and receives that heritage.

The procedure is legally based on Law 6/2019 on Basque Cultural Heritage. This category includes bertsolarism, the first of which was declared Intangible Cultural Good of Special Protection in the Basque Country in 2024. 

Following the publication of this Resolution in theOfficial Gazette of the Basque Country, a period of public information and hearing of 20 days will be opened. Once completed, the file will continue and, where appropriate, the Basque Country will be declared Cultural Good Intangible Special Protection  by Decree of the Governing Council. 

According to the Basque Government, this recognition would give the Basque Country "greater prestige and stronger legal and administrative recognition, also recognizing its fundamental role in the transmission of Basque culture from a patrimonial point of view".