We joined the international gathering in Madrid on the 18th and 19th of October 2024, which brought together participants from 13 countries, along with FAO and IYRP2026 Global Coalition representatives, to celebrate the recognition of #Transhumance as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 🌍🐑. The discussions focused on the third wave of expansion to include new countries in the inscription and the safeguard measures—those already in place and those that need to be developed moving forward.
The event also celebrated Jesús Garzón’s enduring legacy, which continues to inspire Yolda’s mission and approach
Hosted by the Community of Madrid, the meeting was scheduled during the long-standing tradition of the Transhumance Festival, started in 1994, where a flock of sheep usually passes through the heart of Madrid. However, due to restrictions from recent outbreaks of blue tongue disease, the traditional parade couldn’t take place.
However, actually mobile pastoralism, in its various forms such as transhumance and nomadic pastoralism, is an extensive livestock rearing strategy that enhances livestock resilience to diseases. Their local/native breeds are typically hardier and better adapted to local conditions.