Copper craftsmanship of Lahij has been included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Azerbaijani ministry of culture and tourism told.

According to information, the Namibian capital city of Windhoek is currently hosting the 10th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The review of nominations put forth by countries for their inclusion in the representative list of intangible cultural heritage began on December 1, said the ministry.

“During the discussions at the Committee meeting, it was noted that Lahij’s copper craftsmanship nominated by Azerbaijan meets all criteria of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and it can be used as an example for other countries’ nominations in the future,” the ministry noted.

Addressing the meeting, Vasif Eyvazzade, head of the international cooperation department at the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism, expressed his gratitude to the members of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Evaluation Body.

He mentioned that inscription of Lahij’s copper craftsmanship on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is an assessment of cultural values of the Azerbaijani people and will contribute to the preservation of craftsmanship and improvement of social and economic welfare of Lahij residents.

“Copper craftsmanship of Lahij” file was prepared and presented to UNESCO with the support of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, and joint collaboration of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Delegation of Azerbaijan to UNESCO and related experts.

UNESCO’s Heritage list includes the Novruz holiday, Azerbaijani mugham, Azerbaijani ashig art, the Azerbaijani carpet, traditional Kalagayi headwear and national musical instrument “tar.” Azerbaijan`s Chovkan, traditional Karabakh horse-riding game was also included in UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

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