Salute to Naples’ pie-sans

Naples, Italy, often in headlines for Mafia violence, is celebrating international recognition of its tastier side.

UNESCO on Thursday added the art of the Neapolitan pizza maker, or “pizzaiuolo,” to its list of “intangible cultural heritage of humanity.” Neapolitan pizza making was one of 33 traditional practices from around the world that were added to the UN cultural organization’s list of “forms of expression” that are of importance to humanity.

Other winners this year were the ritual Kumbh Mela baths taken in India, Bosnian woodcarving and the “Sega tambour” dance and song performances of Mauritius’ Rodrigues Island.

In Naples, pizza makers celebrated and planned to give away free pies at a massive street party.

Italy is already the country with the most UNESCO world-heritage sites at 53, including the historic centers of Rome and Naples.