UNESCO digs flamenco and med food

"UNESCO crowns castells," headlines El Periódico, in the wake of the international body’s decision to include 46 popular traditions, including flamenco and the Mediterranean diet, on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which already has 177 entries. According to the Catalan daily, the inclusion of the traditional Catalan practice of building human towers or castells, the Majorcan chant of the Sybil, falconry and the Mediterranean diet (a proposal that was also supported by Morocco and Italy) "is a testament to the recognition of Spain’s cultural diversity." The French press, and in particular Le Figaro, delightedly reports on the inclusion of "the gastronomic meal of the French" with its accompanying rituals and presentation.