LIFESTYLE

Switzerland wants yodelling, watchmaking to be part of UNESCO heritage list

Relaxnews Published Thursday, October 23, 2014 9:45AM EDT

Swiss want watchmaking, yodelling recognized

An employee of Swiss watchmaker Hublot works on a watch intended for the Chinese market in Paudex, western Switzerland, on Oct. 23, 2012. (AFP / Fabrice Coffrini)

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(GENEVA-AFP) - Switzerland announced Wednesday it would like the Alpine country's deep-seated traditions such as yodelling and precision watchmaking to be inscribed on a United Nations global heritage list.

The Swiss government said it planned from 2015 to submit a dozen candidates for listing by UNESCO, the world body's cultural arm.

UNESCO, better known for registering historic buildings or natural sites, also lists what are considered key parts of the globe's "intangible heritage".

In addition to yodelling and watchmaking, the Swiss want UNESCO to list the country's tradition of graphic and typographic design -- epitomised by the Helvetica font.

Also in the running are the Alpine livestock season, marked by ceremonies in which herders take their animals to and from the mountains, as well as the Easter processions in the town of Mendrisio, and the Winemakers' Festival in the Lake Geneva city of Vevey, held every 20 years.

Switzerland ratified a UNESCO cultural heritage convention in 2008, after carrying out a wide-ranging inventory of its traditions, which has since been shaved down to a dozen by a group of experts.