Unesco in Cyprus submitted the Cypriot musical tradition “Fones” to be included on the Unesco list of Cultural Heritage on Wednesday.

Unesco Cyprus said preparations for the nomination were underway under the supervision of Unesco Cyprus’ national commissioner Antigoni Polynik and Medieval History professor Angel Nicolaou-Konnari with the support of municipalities, communities and cultural organisations. 

“Fones” are melodies on which mainly, but not only, romantic couplets are sung. These couplets can be either old, by unknown writers, or new by now famous writers. “Fones” function as a melodic base on which new poetic verses are sung.

Due to the lack of infrastructure until the 20th century, “Fones” had a more localised character known in the region they were created or developed.

Later, however, with the development of transportation and means of communication, they spread throughout Cyprus, but the various “Fones” took their names mainly from the regions in which they were created.

In its description to the Unesco, “Fones” are referred to as a “basic manifestation of the oral and traditional culture of Cyprus” which continued to serve as a form of artistic expression for the communication of emotions and a way of entertainment .

“Fones” allow for the formation of the individual and collective identity of the Cypriots.

Cyprus was one of the first countries to inscribe monuments on the World Heritage List in 1980 which includes three Cypriot monuments in Paphos, painted churches in the Troodos region and the neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia.