Culture list is untouchable

Spain's flamenco dance, the Mediterranean diet and Chinese acupuncture were all added to the United Nations' list of intangible cultural heritage yesterday.

The French tradition of holding a gourmet meal to mark births, weddings and birthdays was also included on the list compiled by Unesco's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

It lists practices judged part of the world's intangible cultural heritage. Before yesterday there were 166 elements from 77 countries on the list. The committee is debating 51 new nominations.