The Mayor of Tavira Ana Paula Martins said: “Mediterranean cuisine is rooted in the habits of Tavirenses, which reflects developments in certain areas, namely gastronomy, tourism, culture, sports and education. ”
Second only to Fado, the Mediterranean diet was the second Portuguese project to be included in the Intangible Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 4, 2013. Tavira was selected as the representative in Portugal community.
Martins addressed Lusa on the occasion of France’s National Day, saying that it was an “honour” for Tavira to represent Portugal in the candidate country election. Countries and places come together, but he emphasized that this distinction brings “responsibility”. “To the municipality.
The mayor of Tavira emphasized that since 2013, ”a guarantee plan designed to preserve and pass on millennial experience to present and future generations” has been established to ensure the city’s priority status”.
She stressed that the purpose of the plan is to “protect and appreciate Mediterranean culture, knowledge and local products, cultural landscapes, traditional cuisine and delicacies, celebrations and promote community health.”
Ana Paula Martins believes that by ensuring the preservation of the Mediterranean diet and its related values, it is also possible to ensure “enhanced knowledge, creativity, identity and sustainability of the territory and the environment”.
The municipality has also been trying to use the “community sense of belonging” to “promote Tavira as a community representative of the Mediterranean diet” at home and abroad.