Presented to the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage by Armenia, the nominated “Kocheri, traditional group dance” has been disapproved by 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. Prior to that, UNESCO’s evaluation body had reviewed the nominated files and given an assessment of each file presented by countries. “Kocheri, traditional group dance” presented by Armenia received a negative assessment based on the five criteria. In spite of the Armenian delegation’s efforts, the committee upheld the evaluation body’s decision and decided to return the nominated file to the Armenian side,” 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 delegation representing Azerbaijan at the committee said at the meetings with the representatives of member countries that Armenia’s nationalizing of “Kocheri, traditional group dance” is inadmissible, noting that the assessment body’s decision in this regard and the committee’s similar decision will in future force Armenia to comply with the Convention’s requirements.

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 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.