UNESCO DECLARES KHACHKARS PART OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
news.am
Nov 18 2010
Armenia
On November 17, UNESCO declared Armenian khachkars (cross-stones)
part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The decision was made at today’s session of the Intergovernmental
Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage,
Armenian Culture Ministry press service informed NEWS.am.
Armenia’s nomination titled “Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism
and craftsmanship of Khachkars” presented history of the Armenian
khachkars, their essence and modern developments.
Interestingly, in the course of the meeting, Azerbaijan’s
representative demanded that the title of the Armenian application
should be changed. He claimed that art of cross-stones belonged not
only to Armenians but also Caucasian Albanians, alleged predecessors
of Azerbaijanis. He also called Armenia an occupant and accused it
of distorting historical facts. On the initiative of the Azerbaijani
government UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova received 143 letters
calling not to approve nomination presented by Armenia. However,
after long and heated debates, intergovernmental committee ignored
Azerbaijani claims an approved Armenian nomination (Armenian
cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars).
From: A. Papazian
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