Work is currently under way by the Department of Culture to enlist the Maltese feast in the list of intangible cultural heritage under UNESCO, Arts Minister José Herrera said on Wednesday.
The minister was speaking during the launch of a national bands festival, to be held for the first time in May, should the health situation permit.
The festival will be open to all band clubs in Malta and Gozo.
Four clubs will be selected to hold a programme in Cottonera in the second and third week of May, subject to public health regulations. Should it not be held in May, it will be moved to a later date.