Photo: Petr Kubát, Czech Radio
The centuries-old Czech tradition of timber rafting has been newly added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. The nomination, submitted together with rafts men’s associations in Germany, Austria, Poland, Latvia and Spain, was approved by UNESCO experts this week.
Timber rafting, or vorařství, has had a long tradition in the Czech lands, ranking among highly respected and recognised, but also dangerous professions.
According to most sources, the first historical mention of timber rafting on the Vltava River dates back to medieval times. In those days, the biggest source of timber, needed for the construction of houses, was in South and Southwest Bohemia, and the fastest way to deliver the logs where they were needed was the river.
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Author: Ruth Fraňková