Maltese food and language may soon be recognised as intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici announced on Thursday.

A newly-appointed board, announced on Thursday by Dr Bonnici at the Archaeology Museum in Valletta, has been tasked with identifying aspects of heritage.

The board will then submit an application to Unesco so that the intangible cultural heritage chosen will be officially recognised.

The board expects that the submissions to protect the intangible cultural heritage will be filed next year.

Read: Intangible cultural heritage to protect

A convention was ratified last year, after which Unesco sent expert Marina Calvo to give her recommendations on how to best start a process for national intervention.

The board will be receiving applications and will also make its recommendations on the proposals forwarded by the community to be included in the national inventory.

Our islands are bestowed with a priceless cultural heritage

Following this process, a number of elements of cultural heritage will be proposed for nomination to the Unesco list of intangible cultural heritage, providing worldwide recognition.

The board, chaired by Frank Zammit, includes Dr J.P. Baldacchino, Joseph Magro Conti, Kenneth Gambin, Mario Azzopardi as its members, and Melanie Ciantar Harrington as secretary.

“We are honoured to say that our islands are bestowed with a priceless cultural heritage, which is appreciated by the public and also sought by many tourists,” Dr Bonnici said.

Recommendations can be submitted over three categories. The first relates to intangible cultural heritage elements that need immediate protection, whilst the second is a representative list of intangible cultural heritage elements that strengthen diversity in the community, and which need greater awareness.

Recommendations may also fall under the third category, relating to programmes, projects or activities that are culturally significant.

Recognition of practices by Unesco would ensure that the good practices are passed on from one generation to the next, Culture director Mario Azzopardi said.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Azzopardi encouraged NGOs and environmental activists to submit their proposals on www.ichmalta.org or contact the directorate on 2567 4340.