Armenia calls for declaring Sasuntsi Davit epos UNESCO intangible cultural heritage

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Ministry of Culture calls on all cultural, scientific and educational organizations of Armenia to write letters to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova to supplement the official application of the Ministry to declare Sasuntsi Davit Epos an intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.

The letters should be transferred to the Armenian Ministry of Culture.

The call of the Ministry is related to acceptance of new applications to enlarge the list of intangible culture heritage announced by UNESCO for 2011.

The list is prepared based on applications received from various countries.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared the Armenian Khachkar (cross-stone) an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

The decision to classify the unique Armenian artwork was made on November 17, 2010 during the fifth session of an intergovernmental committee of states signed onto UNESCO’s Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Armenia’s application, submitted to the committee, presented the Armenian Khachkar as an ancient form of symbolism and craftsmanship unique and vital to Armenian national identity.

The application detailed the history of the Khachkar and its spiritual role, detailing its roots and development through the centuries and into modern times.

In 2005, the Armenian Duduk music was proclaimed by UNESCO a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.