Belarusian element of intangible cultural heritage “Negliub textile tradition” included in UNESCO List

On December 9, 2025, during its 20th session (New Delhi, India), the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO) decided to include the element of intangible cultural heritage "Negliub Textile Tradition of the Vetka District, Gomel Region" in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding (UNESCO).

The Negliub textile tradition of the Vetka district in Gomel region is a unique phenomenon of Belarusian folk culture, preserving archaic features and complex symbolism.

This tradition, which emerged in the 17th century, involves the creation of embroidered towels (rushnyks), clothing, and interior items, using distinctive weaving and embroidery techniques.

The Negliub rushnyks are particularly renowned for their intricate polychrome color palette (up to 25 shades) and rich ornamental heritage, which includes over 120 patterns, some of which date back to ancient traditions. Geometric and floral patterns (such as "krivuli", "spiders", "apple tree", and others) convey encoded wishes for good fortune, love, well-being, and health. The uniqueness of the technique, in which weaving is done on the reverse side, ensures that each piece is one-of-a-kind.

As a historical and cultural heritage of Belarus, this tradition continues to thrive thanks to the unbroken succession of generations, preserving unique techniques and the symbolic language of folk art.

Local residents continue to use traditional textile items in their everyday lives and make considerable efforts to promote the practices of traditional Neglyub weaving, especially with the aim of passing on knowledge to the younger generation.

The inclusion of this craft in the UNESCO list is the result of the joint efforts of the Negliub master craftsmen, experts, and specialists in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, the National Commission of the Republic of Belarus for UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, the Permanent Mission of Belarus to UNESCO, and the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts.

With the inclusion of the Negliubka textile tradition there are seven Belarusian elements in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. Previously, the following elements were included: Rite of the Kalyady Tsars (Christmas Tsars) in the village of Semezhava in the Minsk region, 2009 ; Celebration in honor of the Budslaŭ icon of Our Lady (Budslaŭ fest) in Budslaŭ village, in the Minsk region, 2018 ; Spring rite of Juraŭski Karahod in the village of Pahost Gomel district, 2019 ; Tree beekeeping, 2020 ; Straw weaving in Belarus: art, craft, skills, 2022 , Vytsinanka, traditional art of paper cutting in Belarus, 2024 .

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