Can Yodeling Go Global? Switzerland Seeks UNESCO Recognition

Switzerland has formally asked UNESCO to add yodeling to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, marking a major step in preserving and promoting one of the country’s most distinctive traditions.

Once a form of long-distance communication across the Alps, yodeling has evolved into a national art form that bridges rural heritage and modern creativity.

Today, more than 12,000 Swiss yodelers perform through nearly 780 clubs, and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts even offers formal instruction in yodeling — treating it as a “fifth language” alongside German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

This push for recognition comes as part of Switzerland’s wider effort to safeguard traditions for future generations. If approved by UNESCO in December 2025, the listing would place Swiss yodeling alongside Japan’s sake brewing, Venezuelan Joropo dance, and other global cultural treasures.

Advocates say the recognition will inspire new generations — including schoolchildren now learning yodeling in classrooms — to keep the Alpine sound alive.