Bagpipes now officially protected by UNESCO

There are three features of Slovak folk listed on the UNESCO World heritage list - the fujara - a large wooden flute instrument, Terchová music and now also the bagpipe and its culture. Bagpipes were added to the list on December 2nd. UNESCO names not only the actual bagpipe instrument on the intangible heritage list but also the cultural and knowledge aspects of the instrument that are connected with its usage or production. This includes the technical steps for producing bagpipes, the instrument's esthetical appearance, the traditional means of playing it, the various interpretation styles, lyrics to bagpipe songs, the songs and dances accompanying the instrument, rituals connected to it and so forth. Bagpipes are part of a long history for farmers and shepherds in the territory of Slovakia, leading from the 14th century, and having been preserved from generation to generation to the present time.