In Rabat, Morocco, the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO examined a remarkable case of intangible cultural heritage: the manual bell-ringing tradition of Albaida. The initiative, promoted by the Albaida Bell Ringers Association along with several heritage advocacy groups, was assessed against key criteria such as intergenerational knowledge transfer and the depth of community involvement. The discussions reflected a shared belief that this living tradition not only preserves a historical craft but also binds communities through active participation and continued teaching across generations.
Spain’s representation at UNESCO, led by José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, underscored a central idea: historical heritage is something to be ringingly remembered and passed along. The ambassador noted that these traditions can endure as living memory, a conduit of memory, history, and communication that resonates through time and space. The focus was on how such practices illuminate a community’s identity and contribute to a broader cultural narrative that is accessible to people worldwide.
During its 17th session in Rabat, the UNESCO committee recognized the Toc Manual de Campanes as a World Heritage element, with robust backing from the Albaida community. This endorsement grants a global platform to a centuries-old bell-ringing practice that has persisted for eight centuries in Albaida. The decision highlighted the dedication of bell-ringers who safeguard the repertoire, ensuring that the tradition remains vibrant for younger generations. The Albaidense delegation, including Antoni Berenguer of the Associació de Campaners d’Albaida, celebrated the recognition by praising the distinctive features of this regional art form. Berenguer emphasized that manual ringing represents a rich and diverse language, with each region contributing unique stylistic traits that enrich the whole practice. The ceremony reinforced the idea that the transmission of these ringtones across generations is a sound code, a kind of auditory map that travels from the past to the present, and continues to evolve with time.
Alongside about thirty bell-ringers from Albaida, Palencia, Utrera, and Zamora, and with participants from the Hispania Nostra association, the delegation articulated a view of manual ringing as a universal language. It is a form of cultural expression that can unite cities, countries, and continents, while also signaling a strong sense of local identity and belonging. The craft requires skilled hands to handle the ancient tools with precision, translating sound into emotion. The goal is to convey messages that mark the passing of the day, alarms, festivities, devotion, sorrow, or farewell. In the narrative of Albaida, these bells adapt to historical realities, ensuring relevance while maintaining a deep-rooted connection to tradition. The message behind the bells is not just sound; it is a living record of community life and collective memory that resonates with listeners around the world.
This UNESCO recognition emphasizes how such practices function as a conduit for intergenerational learning, where knowledge is transmitted from experienced masters to younger apprentices. It also highlights the collaborative spirit of local groups and national organizations that support the candidacy, reinforcing the idea that heritage thrives when communities actively participate in safeguarding and sharing their culture. The ceremony in Rabat celebrated not only a technical art but also the social fabric that sustains it. It affirmed that the handcraft of bell-making and ringing carries a capacity to evoke shared experiences, from daily routines to special ceremonies, and to foster a sense of belonging across borders. The ringing tradition stands as a testament to the power of community-driven stewardship, a living practice that continues to evolve while honoring its historical roots.
In practical terms, the recognition provides a structured framework for local institutions to preserve the physical instruments and the knowledge surrounding their use. It also invites researchers and educators to explore the linguistic richness of bells as a form of nonverbal communication, where tempo, rhythm, and tonal variation convey nuanced meanings. As communities celebrate this milestone, the focus remains on sustaining training programs, documenting regional nuances, and expanding outreach to younger generations who are eager to learn this distinctive craft. The UNESCO endorsement serves as a catalyst for broader appreciation of traditional bell-ringing as an integral element of cultural identity that transcends borders and fosters cross-cultural dialogue. The experience of Albaida demonstrates how a local tradition can gain international recognition while continuing to thrive in daily life and communal events, enriching the cultural landscape for communities near and far.