Azerbaijan’s Jewellery Art Added to UNESCO Intangible Heritage List
Azerbaijan's jewellery art has been officially added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, iTicket.AZ reports.
The subject is traditional Azerbaijani jewellery-making - zargarlıq (Azerbaijani: zərgərlik). This is a centuries-old tradition of making gold and silver jewellery using engraving, filigree, niello and stone inlay techniques. Craftsmen pass the skills from generation to generation, usually within the family or through apprenticeships.
Baku, Shusha and Lahij are historically considered the centres of the jewellery craft. In Lahij, known for its copper and silver production, workshops still operate today and attract tourists.
"The inclusion of zargarlıq on the UNESCO list is recognition of our people's centuries-old culture and of the contribution of Azerbaijani craftsmen to the world's cultural diversity," the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan commented on the decision.
This is not the first Azerbaijani element on the UNESCO lists. Previously included were:
- mugham - a traditional musical form
- Novruz - the spring equinox holiday
- carpet weaving
According to UNESCO, the Representative List contains more than 600 elements from countries around the world. Inclusion does not confer protected status, but it does promote international recognition and the preservation of the tradition.
Newsletter
A letter from the HD editors
Once a week, we send the best stories, events, and cultural discoveries from Central Asia.