On 26th February 2018, in Paris, at the Ministry of Culture, the mayor of Chamonix, Eric Fournier, and the mayor of Courmayeur, Stefano Miserocchi, officially submitted the candidature application for alpinism to gain recognition in the UNESCO list of ICH (Intangible cultural heritage).
And now, Chamonix holds its breath. The verdict will be given on 13th December 2019.
On Friday, the 13 December 2019, UNESCO will give their verdict, thus Chamonix holds its breath. And so do Courmayeur (Italy) and Orsières (Switzerland), who joined Chamonix's municipality in their application for UNESCO world heritage status for the Mont-Blanc massif.
What is UNESCO World Heritage?
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972 (UNESCO).
As of July 2019, there are a total of 1,121 World Heritage Sites (869 cultural, 213 natural and 39 mixed) across 167 countries.
View from the summit of Mont Blanc
Mont-Blanc massif as UNESCO World Heritage & Mountaineering as Cultural UNESCO Heritage
The campaign to have the Mont-Blanc massif recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site was started in the early 2000s, but, according to Swissinfo.ch, it was not until 24 October 2017 that Swiss, French and Italian officials have signed a joint declaration of intention as a "first step" toward launching the Mont-Blanc massif's candidacy for a coveted spot on the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
“A beautiful adventure awaits us, and I thank all who will mobilise to construct, across borders, a new model of development that corresponds to our aspirations and gives to the world an innovative vision of the relationship between man and nature,” declared the mayor of Chamonix, Eric Fournier.
As for "alpinism as a cultural practice" (UNESCO is not interested in sports), Chamonix has indeed the legitimacy, with the first ascent done in 1786.
If alpinism obtains the precious label, then all the other countries can join the project that brought together France, Italy and Switzerland.
The consequences of a victory would be multiple. Universal recognition through an international label, the recognition of know-how and specific values rooted in practice for centuries, but also a text that will defend this activity, and a concrete commitment of States and associated structures , in order to preserve the activity and conditions of his practice. (France3)
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The Mont-Blanc summit is the highest peak of the Alpes (4,810 m or 15,781 ft).
Awaiting the UNESCO verdict & to celebrate the Mont-Blanc massif as today, 11 December 2019, is the International Mountain Day, the "Chamonix - Climb, Film, Read" festival will provide many different engaging activities from 11 to 13 December 2019.
