The Dijon wine chair is betting on UNES…KO
D
e What the smell of mustard rising to the Dijonnais. At the University of Burgundy, we learn that the “Wine Culture and Traditions” department has just received permission from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This UNESCO decision, announced by letter in early January, violates the labeling established since 2007 under the special twinning program of universities (UNITWIN, with 914 chairs in 114 countries as of December 1, 2022).
“This unexpected decision, in our opinion, is unfair, the richness of the past, the current and forecast activities of our file, built in full accordance with the values and priorities of UNESCO” Professor Joseline Perard, head of the UNESCO department, writes in a letter to partners. “Therefore, in agreement with the authorities of the University of Burgundy, we have started formal steps to find the UNESO logo for our department. These will be long and may cover the better part of 2023, but the scope of our activities gives us good hope for their results.” adds the geographer.
Neither the letter received by UNESCO in January, nor the content of the ongoing discussions, the University of Burgundy leaves one question unanswered: what is the origin of the loss of this permission? From the quality of university content to hygienist veto fears, all speculation remains open. “Are we entering a stage where we are beginning to hesitate to label the wine and spirits research and training network? That is the question, but UNESCO will never tell us if this is the case.” says a researcher close to the department. Faced with uncertainty, the Bureau Interprofessionnel du Bureau de Bourgogne (BIVB) is awaiting a response to requests for clarification from the University of Dijon. “Waiting: We don’t know” A vintner from the Côte-des-Nuits escapes, regretting the closure of the only UNESCO chair dedicated to wines in Burgundy, but also in France and in the whole world.
Keeping the financial resources in 2023, the chairman declares that he will continue his activities and program of events for the next year. To date, the conference is the only event announced in the department’s online diary “History of the architecture of the wine region in the 19th and 20th centuries” this Wednesday, February 1, at the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme de Dijon amphitheater in Dijon (Jules holds the chair at the Guyot Institute). The UNESCO Chair’s results for 2022 show organization and cooperation in numerous events, mainly in France, especially in Burgundy. “Resolving problems related to grapes and wine”The department advocates a cultural approach to wine “UNESCO’s priority programs such as education and research, culture, equal opportunities, environment and sustainable development, even peace and governance, as well as heritage protection reads the aging pulpit site (in 2008 language).
While Dijon is now home to the City of Gastronomy and the headquarters of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), the regional capital will see the appeal of its neighboring vineyard this year with the opening of three Climate Cities and Burgundy wineries. (in Beaune, Chablis and Macon), the Burgundian Climates are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2015. The hills, houses and cellars of Champagne and the vineyard terraces such as the Saint-Emilion jurisdiction in France, the Douro region and Pico Island in Portugal, the Tokaj region in Hungary, the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato Piedmonts in Italy, Lavaux in Switzerland, the olive groves and vineyards of Palestine… Grapes… a cultural and heritage growing area that deserves to be proud of its garden.
Contacted UNESCO declined to comment on its decision. The French National Commission for UNESCO did not answer this question.
