Saxon mountaineering recognized as intangible cultural heritage

Saxon mountaineers are hoping to attract new attention to their tradition by being recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by Unesco. This Tuesday, Saxon mountaineering will receive the official award certificate together with five other German specialties in Wiesbaden. The decision to award the title was made back in March. Since then, public interest has already increased noticeably, said Thomas Böhmer, Head of Training at the Saxon Mountaineering Association.

"We are not assuming that climbing will suddenly double in popularity now," said Böhmer. That was never the aim of the application for intangible cultural heritage. Rather, the aim was to preserve and cultivate Saxon mountaineering. This type of climbing is not something you can just learn on a course. "It's more like a craft that develops over years," said Böhmer. It is not in keeping with the spirit of the times to want to have everything easy.

Around 40,000 people have dedicated themselves to climbing in Saxony

Saxon mountaineering and its climbing rules originated around 130 years ago. "Rules were established very early on that you can only climb in Saxon Switzerland without artificial aids," explained Böhmer. This is due to the very soft sandstone in the area. It would be damaged if, for example, stepladders were driven into the mountain. "In Saxon Switzerland, what we now call free climbing has developed," said Böhmer.

According to the application for the intangible cultural heritage, there are around 40,000 people who have dedicated themselves to Saxon climbing and are organized in clubs. The tradition includes not only mountaineering, but also three mountaineering choirs, a library and an art and mountains foundation, reported Böhmer.

In addition to mountaineering, the award also goes to the Hessian Schwälmer white embroidery, the Berlin techno culture, the Finsterwalde singing tradition, the Kirchseeon Perchtenlauf and Viez - an apple, pear or quince wine common in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. This means there are 150 entries in the list of intangible cultural heritage nationwide.