Certificates signed by UNESCO Director General were presented to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism

On April 13, an event dedicated to the presentation of Certificates confirming the inclusion of the nominations Dolma making and sharing tradition, a marker of cultural identity” and “Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha, a bowed string musical instrument” in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage was held in Baku.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was attended by state and government officials, well-known scientists, cultural personalities and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in our country. Deputy Minister of culture and tourism Sevda Mammadaliyeva congratulated President lham Aliyev on his re-election on behalf of her organization. Speaking about the inclusion of kamancha and dolma in the Representative List of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, S. Mammadaliyeva said that this was one of the most important events of last year. Therefore, our country is one of the leading countries in the number of cultural heritage examples included in the UNESCO list. As a result of the tireless activity of the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, ancient and rich Azerbaijani culture spread from the national framework to the international level and has been recognized as part of the global culture and heritage. With the support of First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, who played an exceptional role in the development of cooperation with UNESCO and protection of our cultural heritage and its worldwide promotion, not only art of crafting and playing with kamancha, but also dolma making and sharing tradition, Azerbaijani mugham, tradition of lavash making and sharing, Lahıc copper art, ashig art, Novruz holiday, carpet weaving, tar performance has been included in UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Chovqan – a traditional Karabakh horse-riding game has been included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Azerbaijan also closely cooperates with UNESCO World Heritage Committee. At present, the Icheri Sheher and Shirvanshah’s Palace Complex, as well as Gobustan artistic reserve, are in the World Heritage List. We believe that next year, Shaki and its historical territory will be also included to this list and this will contribute to the international recognition of the cultural heritage of our people, said Sevda Mammadaliyeva.

The Deputy Minister said that, in fact, the promotion of our cultural heritage at the international level is a long way of struggle. Because Armenia is not only occupied our lands but also pursuing a policy of falsification and acquisition of our culture and history. Therefore, recognition of our cultural heritage by UNESCO is crucial. S.Mammadaliyeva said that “Dolma making and sharing tradition as a national element, and the Art of crafting and playing with Kamancha” as an example of a multinational cultural heritage nomination, which is included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Humanity, increasing our responsibility and commitment. These elements are already internationally recognized as part of the world culture. For this purpose, the Ministry will implement a series of measures and projects. Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary-General of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO Mr. Elnur Sultanov, said that our people once again put their will together and made their choice during the presidential election for the bright future of Azerbaijan held on April 11. He thanked everyone who contributed to organizing the event. Speaking about the growing influence of our country in the world, E. Sultanov underlined Azerbaijan's position in international organizations.

He noted that our country has been cooperating with UNESCO for 25 years. The projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation should be especially emphasized in the further development of this cooperation. 13 examples of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage have been included in UNESCO's relevant list. It was noted that inclusion of kamancha and dolma in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage took place at the 12th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on the Jeju Island of the Republic of Korea. During the session Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha, a bowed string musical instrument” presented by our country in cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran was included in the UNESCO list.

As a result of attention and care of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva to the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan and in order to include dolma in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage as a decoration of Azerbaijani table and an indicator of ancient and national cultural identity, fruitful works have been conducted within the UNESCO and proud results have been achieved. Kamancha, one of the ancient examples of cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, is included in the UNESCO List as a multinational nomination with the Islamic Republic of Iran. There are a lot of works to be done to promote the ancient and rich culture of our country in the world. As the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO we are successfully cooperating with the relevant organizations of our country in this direction. I hope that as a result of joint efforts we will have new achievements in future, said E. Sultanov. Then the certificates signed by UNESCO Director-General Mrs. Audrey Azoulay, confirming the inclusion of Dolma making and sharing tradition, a marker of cultural identity” nomination presented by Azerbaijan, as well as “Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha, a bowed string musical instrument” presented by Azerbaijan together with the Islamic Republic of Iran as a multinational nomination to the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage have been presented to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Speaking at the event, the head of the international cooperation department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Secretary General of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for ISESCO Vasif Eyvazzadeh and the Azerbaijani culinary artist and photographer Stalik Khankishiyev praised the event.

Folk musics by kamancha performers were performed at the event and patents of Baku White Cheese dolma, Absheron olive oil dolma, Salyan fish dolma, Ordubad gupa dolma, Kangarli qira dolma, Guba apple dolma, Gabala walnuts dolma, Gakh dried dolma, Ismayilli pip dolma and Lankaran lemon dolma, which were received by the Azerbaijan National Culinary Association Public Union given by the State Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patents of the Republic of Azerbaijan, were presented to the guests.