The Committee

1. Takes note that Estonia has nominated Cooking and eating Mulgi puder, traditional mashed potato with barley in the Mulgimaa region, Estonia (No. 02081) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

Mulgi puder is a traditional dish that is consumed daily in the Mulgimaa region of Estonia. The dish entails placing sliced potatoes in a pot and pouring pre-soaked barley on top. After adding a bit of salt, the ingredients are boiled until soft and then mashed. Mulgi puder is accompanied by pan-fried pork knuckle, which can be added to the mash or served on the side, or by vegetables. It is usually made for several days, as the flavour improves over time. Every family has its own way of making Mulgi puder, and community members enjoy exchanging recipes. The dish is cooked with family and friends, at work and school, and during community gatherings and celebrations. It is also served in restaurants and sold in jars. The tradition of cooking and eating Mulgi puder is primarily passed down within families, but nowadays it is also taught in schools and hobby groups and through workshops organized by local organizations, community masters and the Institute of Mulgi Culture. Preparing the dish supports local food producers and sustainable consumption. The tradition of cooking and eating Mulgi puder also unites families and communities, encouraging them to take time to cook and eat together and to avoid unhealthy fast foods or snacks.

2. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

R.1:   Mulgi puder is a traditional dish of mashed potato with barley that is consumed in the Mulgimaa region of Estonia. The practitioners and bearers of the element are people of different ages and gender living in Mulgimaa. Mulgi puder is cooked with family and friends, at work, schools, community gatherings and celebrations. The knowledge and skills related to the element are passed down within families, from older people to children and also passed on formally in schools, hobby groups, workshops and at the Institute of Mulgi Culture. The tradition of cooking and eating Mulgi puder promotes unity in families and communities.

R.2:   The tradition of Mulgi puder helps to improve local organic food production and decreases the carbon footprint and food waste. Mulgi puder is usually eaten together, thereby promoting family and community relations. The element is linked to food security and sustainable development because the recipe is an inexpensive dish that provides sustenance to many communities. However, the file does not clearly explain the contribution of the element to health and well-being. Notwithstanding, the information in the nomination file was sufficient to meet this criterion.

R.3:   The State Party explains past safeguarding measures and proposes new ones for the element. These include: (a) the transmission of the element through formal and non-formal education; (b) identification, research and documentation activities; and (c) promotion and enhancement events and exhibitions which will continue beyond inscription. The file also describes support for preservation and safeguarding as well as financial contributions from the State and the Estonian Centre of Folk Culture to support the Mulgimaa region’s cultural heritage.

R.4:   The nomination was proposed by the Mulgi community members. The Institute of Mulgi Culture launched an information campaign and published articles in the media and posts on social media. The Institute of Mulgi Culture, a community organization, collected stories from practitioners and created a questionnaire for community members. This campaign increased awareness about the element and solicited broad support for its nomination to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2023, the community representatives met to develop safeguarding measures, collect consent letters and approve the text of the nomination file.

R.5:   The element is listed on the Estonian Inventory of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The inventory is managed by the Estonian Centre of Folk Culture and updated every five years. Communities participate in compiling entries to update the inventory. Information about the inventory is included in two periodic reports submitted by Estonia in 2013 and 2022.

3. Decides to inscribe Cooking and eating Mulgi puder, traditional mashed potato with barley in the Mulgimaa region, Estonia on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.