UNESCO refuses to include Armenia`s nominations in intangible heritage list

UNESCO has refused to include two nominations of Armenia into the organization`s list of intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO envoys met in Bali, Indonesia, to decide which of 84 traditions should join UNESCO's list of protected "intangible heritage".

UNESCO`s experts refused to include two Armenian nominations – “Ashoogh love romance” and “Vardavar” – in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. During the discussions members of Azerbaijan`s delegation opposed the inclusion of Armenia`s offerings, saying they do not meet the requirements of UNESCO`s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Azeri delegates said Armenia misappropriated the art of Turkic nations and also provided provocative sources with regard to Azerbaijan`s Nagorno-Karabakh region, which was occupied by Armenia. UNESCO experts supported Azerbaijan`s position, and the majority of them voted against the inclusion of Armenia`s nominations into the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.


/AzerTAc/