UNESCO CERTIFIES MARIACHI MUSIC AS PART OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY  

• Seven of Mexico’s traditions are included on the UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
 
• Mexico has created a National Commission for the Preservation of Mariachi Music.

On September 2nd and on behalf of the federal government, the President of the National Council for Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), Consuelo Sáizar Guerrero, presented the UNESCO certificate declaring mariachi music a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to a group of young mariachis. The ceremony was part of a public gala held in Guadalajara’s Liberation Square as part of the 19th International Mariachi and Charreria Meeting and the 11th National Mariachi Meeting. 

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed "Mariachi, string music, song and trumpet” on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List on November 27, 2011.

Also present at the ceremony were Jalisco Secretary of Culture Alejandro Cravioto Lebrija; the Director General of the National Institute of Fine Arts, Teresa Vicencio; and the Foreign Ministry’s Director General for the United Nations, Arturo Hernandez Basave.

On September 1, 2012, Mexico created a National Commission for the Preservation of Mariachi Music, composed of representatives of mariachi groups from the Mexican states where this folk music is typical, federal and state authorities and academic institutions that educate about mariachi music. The commission will protect, preserve, promote and publicize this important Mexican tradition.

The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is one of the legal instruments used by UNESCO to protect the universal heritage. It aims to protect and promote respect for the heritage of communities, groups and individuals; raise awareness at the local, national and international levels about the importance of intangible cultural heritage, and promote mutual appreciation and seek international cooperation and assistance in these efforts.

Seven of Mexico’s traditions are included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, including mariachi music. A total of 31 Mexican sites are on the World Heritage List. This makes Mexico the Latin American country with the highest number of entries on these lists and the sixth worldwide.