Yesterday, it was already briefly mentioned in a speech of the WBU Summit. Today, we are dedicating an entire post to the topic.
This is about an important cause that resonates with Braille users all around the world.
So, have you already guessed what it’s about?
Of course, it’s about having Braille officially recognized as intangible UNESCO cultural heritage worldwide.
And what time could be better suited for this than the special anniversary year of Braille?
In some countries, Braille is already recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, others are in the process of doing so, and some organizations are now striving for global recognition.
We’ve gathered all the essential information for you about how this process works and how you can support this cause.
Usage and teaching of Braille as worldwide intangible cultural heritage
On initiative of the German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV) the usage of Braille has been recogniced as intangible cultural heritage in Germany since 2020. Since 2023, on initiative of Joël Hardy from “’lCulture d’Art”, the usage of Braille has been recogniced as intangible cultural heritage in France as well.
At the Moment, organisations in the following countries have expressed their interest to apply for including the use of Braille in their national lists:
Belgium, Brasil, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Tunesia.
In 2023, DBSV and L’Culture d’Art proposed to their governments in France and Germany respectively to apply for including the usage of braille in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity worldwide.
The preparation of the Nomination by France and Germany started in March 2025. A steering comitee was built of the following partners:
– Lily Martinet from the ministry of culture in France
– Nina Dederichs from the German UNESCO Commission
– Maëliss Ruffin from the Louis Braille Museum in Coupvray
– Lars Bosselmann, EBU-director
– Reiner Delgado from the German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted
The application documents are in preparation. Required are an application form, a video and supporting letters from certain stakeholders.
It is planned to send the application before 31st March 2026 to UNESCO.
What can people do to support the process of including Braille in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
Organisations should apply to their national comitees of UNESCO to ad the usage of braille to the national list of intangible cultural heritage.
Further countries beside France and Germany should not join the application process now. They only could do so if they already have Braille in their national list. An international application with more countries would be very complex.
There will be a call when organisations of blind people will be requested to write supporting letters to the applicant organisations to express their interest in declaring Braille as cultural heritage.
After braille is included into the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, other countries can apply for joining this inscription.
If you’re interested in supporting this cause, this is how you can get in touch with us:
Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband (DBSV)
German federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted
Reiner Delgado, Head of Social Affairs
Rungestrasse 19 – 10179 Berlin – Germany
Phone: (049-30) 285387-240
Email: r.delgado@dbsv.org
Website: www.dbsv.org
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