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The UNESCO Community Association (UCA) in partnership with the Franco-Chinese Center for cultural and artistic exchanges organized at UNESCO Restaurant, for a third time, the celebration of the International Tea Day which was proclaimed by the United Nations in December 2019. This year the celebration coincided with the proclamation by the UN General Assembly of 10 June 2024 as the International Day of the dialogue among the civilizations.
International Tea Day
8 July 2024
Last update:9 July 2024
Another four countries joined this year’s celebration and notably France, Japan, Morrocco and Peru.
16 countries (France, Japan, China, Morrocco, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Türkiye, Perou, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan) participated with national tea booths, which were very much appreciated by the invitees, representing more than 65 nationalities.
Eight Ambassadors (France, Viet Nam, Japan, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Morrocco) and a senior representative of Peru, took the floor at the celebration and more than 25 Ambassadors attended the event.
The UCA (UNESCO Community Association) President, Mrs Marietta Bantchev
Announced that the 2024 International Tea Day celebration was placed under the motto “Take Tea Together for Peace” and that the UCA was thus the first to mark the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations. She said thatUCA, at the height of its activities, organized more than 60 years ago the dinner of the 5 continents and that “tonight we are proud to organize this beautiful tea festival to celebrate the delicious drink that crossed 5 thousand years with representatives from all the continents”. She referred to a Tuareg proverb “The wisdom of the whole universe is in a cup of tea”.
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The Ambassador of France, H.E. Mr. Philippe Franc
Admitting to being a great tea lover, said that "France also has its tea island, LaReunion, the leading tea producer in France and that he "wasvery happy to celebrate the International Tea Day alongside his compatriots of Reunion Island". He said that Reunion Island was part of the great tradition of the spirit of tea, synonymous with conviviality and hospitality.
Ambassador of Viet Nam H.E. Ms Thi Van Anh Nguyen
Recalled that her country was increasingly known for the quality of its coffees and teas. Viet Nam is the world's 7th largest tea producer and the world's 5th largest exporter of tea. She also insisted on "the art of flavoring Vietnamese tea, unique in the world, offering tea lovers the choice of naturally flavored teas, without flavorings, without the addition of essential oils, and allowing to combine tasty drinks with health care and maintenance."
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The Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Takehiro Kano
Said that “the culture of tea ceremony, flourished during the Warring States period from the mid-15th to 16th centuries, when warlords competed for supremacy in Japan, and was highly favoured by warlords and great merchants as a place to seek brief moments of peace and relaxation, or as a stage for diplomatic negotiations. He reminded that Japan's current UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador is Grand Master Sen Gensh*tsu, the 15th Iemoto (head) of the Urasenke family that established tea ceremony in 16th century.
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The Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Ismunandar
Stated that “Indonesia proudly stands as one of the globe's leading producers of tea, “our tea production, processing, and consumption are deeply intertwined with our nation’s intangible cultural heritage”. He referred to the Indonesian tea industry as a vital part of country’s economy, employing millions of people across the nation. The Ambassador also mentioned the various economic, social and cultural challenges to tea industry and his government’s approach to tackle them involving collaboration between government bodies, industry stakeholders, researchers, and local communities.
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The Deputy Permanent Delegate of China, Mr. Ying Wang
Referred to the importance of a recent UN General Assembly’s resolution on the establishment of an International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations on 10 June, proposed by China. He expressed his satisfaction to attend the celebration and to exchange tea culture, which was shred along the Silk Road and which is concrete embodiment of dialogue among civilizations. He reminded that in 2022, “Traditional Chinese tea making skills and related customs” were included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Heritage of Humanity, becoming a precious treasure of all mankind”. Mr. Wang also referred to President Xi Jinping initiative on Global civilization in 2023.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka, H.E. Ms Manisha Gunasekera
Said “I am proud to present our Ceylon Tea reputed for its taste and aroma worldwide”, she mentioned that Sri Lanka is the largest producer of orthodox black tea in the world with a 15% market share of global tea exports. Currently, Sri Lanka ranks as the fifth largest tea producer of the world and holds the position of third largest exporter of tea. She stated that Ceylon Tea has been recognized by the International Standards Organization as the cleanest tea in the world in terms of pesticide residues and the first country to be recognized with 'Ozone friendly' status by the Montreal Protocol.
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The Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Mr. Samir Addahre
Said that offering tea is a gesture with deep meaning, a code of hospitality and respect rooted in centuries-old traditions. Whether in the intimacy of a home, the effervescence of a lively souk or the tranquility of a shop, tea seals reunions, forges links and opens wide the doors of conviviality." The Ambassador insisted that "Moroccan tea, much more than a simple drink, is the very essence of the country's social and cultural life, a unifying element, a link between people, transcending differences of age, social status or origin".
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The Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Askar Abdrakhmanov
Said that “like in many countries, in Kazakhstan, tea is more than a beverage, it is an essential element of hospitality and social life. We don’t produce tea, but Kazakhstan is among the leading countries globally in per capita tea consumption”.
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The Director of Promperu, Ms. Rosario Pajuelo
Mentioned the origins of tea in Peru, draws its origins from Asia, the first tea seeds having been introduced to the region of Cuzco more than 110 years ago, in search of products that could replace the then dominant sugar cane plantations. Today, Cuzco is the leading tea-producing region in the country. Ms Pajuelospoke of the difficulties faced by Peruvian tea producers due to competition from neighboring countries, and while many farmers are starting to pull up tea plants to plant other, more lucrative crops. She pointed out that the entire harvest is done by hand and that tea plantations are usually concentrated at an altitude of 1500 to 2500 meters above sea level.
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The Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Xing Qu
Warmly greeted the participants on behalf of the Secretariat. Thanking the organizers, he expressed his support for the event: "This tea celebration is a tribute to civilization, culture and understanding among peoples."
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Ms Aiming Picard, President of the Franco-Chinese Center for cultural and artistic exchanges and Ms Dong, organizer of the Beijing International Tea Day celebration
The event attended by more than 270 participants, included a rich artistic program and took place in a very pleasant and friendly ambiance around the idea to take tea together for peace.
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