Spain calls for Tapas to be given World Heritage status for 'universal' appeal

Minister for Culture says the dish deserves international recognition and should join protected list

The president of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy launched the drive to give tapas World Heritage status (Getty)

Tapas should be given World Heritage status because of its "universal" appeal, according to Spain’s Minister for Culture.

Íñigo Méndez de Vigo called on director-general of Unesco Irina Bokova to recognise Spain’s national dish, which "comes from a local sphere but has now become something more significant".

The move is part of a campaign to acknowledge tapas on the list of global Intangible Cultural Heritages, which already includes flamenco dancing and Catalonian "castells".

Méndez de Vigo, told The Local: "Go anywhere in the world and order tapas and you know what you’re going to get."

In April, the president of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy launched the drive to give tapas World Heritage status.

Rafael Anson said: "Tapas are a model food. It is a way of eating that must be preserved.

"The project is very advanced. I have spoken to Unesco and they are already looking into it."

Spain has the third highest number of Unesco-recognised sites and exports in the world with 44, after Italy with 51 and China with 48.

The concept of the Mediterranean diet already has a place on the list, but Spaniards are keen that tapas gets its own unique protection.

In March, the Italian ministry for culture announced it had applied to get pizza added to the list of Intangible Heritages.

The application included detailed guidelines as to what constitutes the ingredients of a "traditional" pizza and counters "fraudulent replicas".

In order for tapas to be included it will have to fit a number of criteria, including that its cultural heritage status will contribute towards its visibility and awareness.

The Independent has contacted Unesco for comment on the progress of the application.