Lahij's copper craftsmanship included in UNESCO's Heritage List

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Unique copper craftsmanship of Ismayilli region’s small village of Lahij has been included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The decision was made at the tenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the Namibian capital of Windhoek.

Situated about 220 km northwest of Baku in the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Lahij is famous for its master craftsmen on copper.

This medieval town with its cobbled streets and squares is one of the most famous craft and trading centers in the Caucasus and its beyond.

Even today a dozen workshops are operating here, demonstrating hereditary blacksmiths who make various household items in front of the astonished tourists.

The traditional copper craftsmanship of Lahij reinforces the feeling of cultural identity of many Azerbaijani-speaking communities living abroad, as a profound symbol of their cultural roots.

The ornaments of Lahij masters have always been associated with the image of the real world of flora and fauna. The patterns of the dishes are rich in visual elements and original interpretation of flowers and leaves.

Copper utensils from Lahij are also stored in the famous Paris Louvre Museum. Bern Historical Museum also houses samples of firearms and bladed weapons from Azerbaijan, among which there are different richly ornamented rifles, swords and daggers made by Lahij masters.

For over 20 years of the existing ties between UNESCO and Azerbaijan a number of Azerbaijan’s material and non-material culture was included in the honor roll of UNESCO's world masterpieces.

UNESCO’s Heritage list includes the Novruz holiday, Azerbaijani mugham, Azerbaijani ashig art, the Azerbaijani carpet, traditional Kalagayi headwear and national musical instrument “tar.”

The main list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Azerbaijan includes Icherisheher in Baku, including the Shirvanshahs Palace, Maiden Tower, and the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape.