UNESCO: Azerbaijan's statement was delivered during the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

At the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Kasane, Botswana, our country is represented by a delegation including representatives from the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, and the Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to UNESCO.

During the session, Elman Abdullayev, Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, presented our country's national statement. He highlighted the significance of the 2003 Convention for Azerbaijan and discussed the efforts undertaken by the Azerbaijani government in the safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage to future generations.

Elman Abdullayev, reminding that Armenia has been destroying our tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the territories of Azerbaijan under occupation, highlighted that during the occupation period, along with our cultural heritage, numerous examples of intangible cultural heritage, as well as traditional fine arts and craftsmanship, were completely destroyed. He emphasized that Azerbaijanis were forcibly expelled from their native lands and deprived of the implementation of their intangible cultural heritage rights.

On the following day of the session, the Committee will review four multinational nominations that Azerbaijan is also part of with the aim of inclusion in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These nominations include "The Art of Illumination (Tazhib)" involving Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan; "Iftar and its social-cultural practices" involving Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and Uzbekistan; "Sadaf Art"; and "The Art of Balaban Craftsmanship and Performance" involving Azerbaijan and Turkey. Additionally, the Committee is expected to consider the next periodic report concerning Azerbaijan's "Traditional group dances of Yalli (Kochari, Tenzere) in Nakhchivan" listed on UNESCO's Urgent Safeguarding List.

Shahla Aghalarova
Special correspondent of AZERTAC
Kasane