The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage coordinated work on the application, which lasted several years. A decision on the application will be made in December 2025.

According to the ministry’s official website, “apart from Barborka, the whole of the mining traditions” was taken into account in the application, including “miner folklore and the language specific for this occupational group in all three countries.”

Barborka is celebrated on Saint Barbara’s Day, December 4, “by the communities with ties to the mining industry as well as the inhabitants of mining and post-mining municipalities,” said the ministry.

“The celebrations are accompanied by live performances of brass bands starting in the morning with the ‘wake up calls’ and lasting until the evening parties.”