"Lebanese Manakish" on UNESCO's Cultural Heritage List

Today, UNESCO added the thyme manakish to its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, describing it as "deeply rooted in Lebanese identity." The intergovernmental committee for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage, which has been meeting since Monday in Kasani, northern Botswana, decided to include the famous dough topped with thyme mixed with oil and baked in an oven or on a "saj," based on a request submitted by Lebanon in March 2022. UNESCO reminded in its description that manakish is "a flatbread made in homes and specialized bakeries, enjoyed by residents from all backgrounds in Lebanon for breakfast." It considered manakish to have "symbolic value in Lebanon" and emphasized that "manakish is ingrained in identity and its flavors evoke traditional morning gatherings, known as 'sobhiyah,' which play a central role in social interaction." Bahjat Rzq, the cultural attaché of Lebanon's mission to UNESCO, stated: "Manakish transcends sects and has symbolic significance; it reflects the shared living among Lebanese people." He added that "the bakeries making manakish are found throughout Lebanon." Manakish is baked in metal or stone ovens made of heat-resistant bricks or on a concave metal saj, and typically contains only thyme and oil, or mixed with cheese. Sometimes, certain types of vegetables are added, and it can be eaten with labneh. According to UNESCO, "the sale of manakish in small bakeries contributes to the development of the local economy," noting that many bakeries and restaurants now offer Lebanese manakish in several countries worldwide due to the presence of Lebanese communities there.