An international jury of public figures chaired by writer Juan Goitisilo and convened by UNESCO proclaimed the Carnival one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on May 18, 2001.
On May 18, 2001, a panel of public figures, including writer Juan Goitisilo, convened by UNESCO, officially recognized Carnival as an important cultural tradition deserving of global recognition and protection.