Tthe President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, has signed a decree announcing the establishment of the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan to UNESCO. This declaration, available on the official website of the country's president.
Applications for UNESCO Recognition
Tajikistan has actively sought UNESCO recognition for various aspects of its cultural heritage. The country recently applied for the inclusion of the ancient festival of farmers, Mehrgon, on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. This initiative, backed by President Rahmon, aims to revive and strengthen the connection of the modern generation with the ancestral heritage through the legal revival of ancient holidays like "Sada" and "Mehrgon."
Current UNESCO Recognitions
Tajikistan has already seen success in securing UNESCO recognition for several cultural elements. In December 2023, the artistic decoration of the text "Tazhib" ("Illumination") and the "Garden Festival" were included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Furthermore, the production of atlas and adras, traditional fabrics, earned a spot on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 18th session of the Interstate Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Shared Cultural Heritage in Central Asia
The cultural traditions of Central Asian countries share similarities due to their intertwined histories. Various objects on the UNESCO lists are representative of the collective heritage of the region. Examples include the Navruz holiday, shashmak, anecdotes of Khoja Nasreddin, pilaf, and sericulture. Some intangible cultural heritage items belong not to one country but to several, highlighting the interconnected nature of Central Asian cultural traditions.
Tajikistan's Contributions
Tajikistan has made several contributions to UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage. Over the years, chakan (traditional coat), the ancient oral musical genre of falak, and the holiday of the Aryan people, the night of Yaldo, have been introduced, showcasing the country's diverse cultural tapestry.
Earlier Daryo reported that UNESCO has declared the inclusion of the Akhal-Teke horse breeding tradition in Turkmenistan on the World Intangible Heritage List. The Akhalteke horses, documented over 3,000 years ago, are currently recognized as an endangered breed, with an estimated global population of around 7,000, as listed by the American NGO Livestock Conservancy.
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