Azeri Ashiq art on UNESCO heritage list
The art of Azerbaijani Ashiqs and the state holiday
Novruz have been added to UNESCO`s Representative List of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, according to the Ministry
of Culture and Tourism.
The two entries were among 76 inscriptions awarded last Wednesday by the 24 member states of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage, meeting in Abu Dhabi, according to the UNESCO website.
Efforts aiming to accomplish their inclusion have been made by the ministry under the leadership of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The awarding was facilitated by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Foundation and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
The art of Ashiqs combines poetry, storytelling, dance and vocal and instrumental music into a traditional performance art that stands as a symbol of Azerbaijani culture.
Given that the Novruz Holiday is celebrated in a number of countries, it was recognized as a sample of international intangible cultural heritage.
Novruz marks the New Year and the beginning of spring across a vast geographical area covering Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. It is celebrated on March 20-21 every year, a date originally determined by astronomical calculations.
Earlier, in 2003, the Azerbaijani art of Mugham (national folk music) was included in the UNESCO list.
The two entries were among 76 inscriptions awarded last Wednesday by the 24 member states of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage, meeting in Abu Dhabi, according to the UNESCO website.
Efforts aiming to accomplish their inclusion have been made by the ministry under the leadership of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The awarding was facilitated by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Foundation and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
The art of Ashiqs combines poetry, storytelling, dance and vocal and instrumental music into a traditional performance art that stands as a symbol of Azerbaijani culture.
Given that the Novruz Holiday is celebrated in a number of countries, it was recognized as a sample of international intangible cultural heritage.
Novruz marks the New Year and the beginning of spring across a vast geographical area covering Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. It is celebrated on March 20-21 every year, a date originally determined by astronomical calculations.
Earlier, in 2003, the Azerbaijani art of Mugham (national folk music) was included in the UNESCO list.