对于泰式按摩入选，联合国教科文组织表示：
The practice has its roots in self-care in Thai peasant society of the past, [where] every village had massage healers whom villagers would turn to when they had muscle aches from working the field.
泰式按摩根植于过去泰国农耕社会的自我疗愈，每个村都有按摩治疗师，村民们干农活感到肌肉疼痛时就会去找按摩师治疗。
泰式按摩(图片来源：agencies)
【小百科】
根据联合国教科文组织的定义，非物质文化遗产(Intangible Cultural Heritage)包括口头传统(oral traditions), 表演艺术(performing arts), 社会惯例(social practices),仪式(rituals), 节日活动(festive events), 与本土或全球有关的知识及惯例(knowledge and practices concerning native and the universe)或者制作传统工艺品的知识和技能(the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts)。
除了这里提到的人类非物质文化遗产名录(the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity)以外，还有一个类别是“急需保护的非物质文化遗产名录(the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding)”，入选的项目都是急需采取保护措施，以继续存活并传承下去的项目，比如：我国的木活字印刷术(wooden movable-type printing)。
泰式按摩有何特点
Unlike conventional massages, Thai massages involve a lot of movement and typically sees people assuming a series of different positions.
与传统按摩不同，泰式按摩有很多动作，会采用一系列不同的按摩姿势。
Therapists use not only their hands but sometimes their forearms and knees to apply pressure. There is also no oil involved in Nuad Thai massage.
按摩师不仅用手，有时还会用前臂和膝盖来施加压力。此外，泰式按摩一般不会使用按摩油。
今年新增的项目还有：
Irish harping
爱尔兰竖琴
Celestinian forgiveness in Italy
意大利塞莱斯蒂尼亚宽恕庆典
The Carnival of Podence in Portugal
葡萄牙狂欢节
Silat self-defence in Malaysia
马来西亚自卫术“席拉”
【相关词汇】
文化遗产 cultural heritage
文化多样性 cultural diversity
世界遗产名录 World Heritage List
申遗 bid for the World Heritage List
文化资源整合 integration of cultural resources
保护世界文化和自然遗产公约 Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage
