What will inclusion of cross-stone give?
The RA Foreign Ministry hails the involvement of Armenian khachkars in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
"It will ensure recognition of Armenian cultural values and encourage tolerance, intercultural dialogue and international cooperation," reads a ministry statement.
On November 17, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Armenian khachkar (cross-stone) art part of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Among the 47 applications put on the agenda of the session hosted by Kenya's capital Nairobi (November 15-19) the first "intangible cultural heritage" application was submitted by the Republic of Armenia (Armenian Cross-Stones Art: Symbolism and Craftsmanship of Khachkars) which presents the origin, the chronology of development, composition, pictography, national ideas, the role of khachkars in the lives of people, functions and forms of manifestation, as well as developments of modern khachkar making.
The application package was elaborated and presented to the structure by the RA Ministry of Culture and Armenian National Commission for UNESCO.
Armenian duduk was proclaimed Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.
