UN cultural heritage tag for Serbian plum brandy

UNESCO has added Serbia’s traditional plum brandy Sljivovica to the United Nations' cultural heritage list.

Recently, UNESCO experts gathered in Morocco to decide on new admissions to the list. Experts said that the social practices and knowledge related to the preparation and use of Sljivovica deserve U.N. recognition as an example of an important cultural tradition.

Sljivovica has been made by hand in Serbia for hundreds of years, over time becoming part of its national identity, experts say. The tradition remains common in rural areas of the Balkan country despite an increase in modern distilleries.

Sljivovica is made from locally grown fruits: plums. The brandy is made and enjoyed by families and local communities. Serbs drink Sljivovica when they celebrate and mark important events. People often save their best bottles for weddings, the birth of a child and funerals, making the Serbian traditional spirit part of everyday lives for generations.