Great News: two more elements with the participation of Uzbekistan have been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took place in Morocco’s Rabat from 28 November to 3 December 2022.
This year’s session became a great cultural event for Uzbekistan, since 2 more elements with the participation of Uzbekistan have been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
As a part of the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, two multinational elements with the participation of Uzbekistan were included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The following nominations were presented by Uzbekistan:
The first nomination named "Sericulture and traditional production of silk for weaving" was prepared by Uzbekistan in collaboration with Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkiye.
The second nomination named "Traditions of retelling the parables of Khoja Nasreddin", was prepared by Uzbekistan in collaboration with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkiye.
The proposed elements were successfully accepted by the evaluation commission of the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, after verifying their compliance with the criteria for inclusion in Representative List.
During the presentation of the nominations, videos were shown that reveal in detail the historical role and significance of the elements in enriching cultures, supporting local economies, and strengthening mutual respect and intercultural dialogue. The participants paid special attention to the traditional silk production technologies of Uzbekistan and the significant efforts made in the country during the last years to develop sericulture. A unique monument to Khoja Nasreddin, erected in the city of Bukhara, which is considered a popular and beloved character of folklore among the population, caused great interest of the audience.
“Under the leadership of the head of our state, systematic work is being carried out to preserve and enhance the rich intangible cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. The inclusion of two more traditions in the UNESCO list is vivid proof of this,” said Aziz Abdukhakimov, Vice Prime Minister, and Chairman of the National Commission of Uzbekistan for UNESCO
Today, the total number of elements of Uzbekistan included in the UNESCO Representative List makes 11 pieces of heritage.
In the meantime, the intangible cultural heritage of Uzbekistan included in the list UNESCO earlier covers the following elements:
Cultural Space of Boysun District – 2008
Katta Ashula – 2009
Art and Culture of Askia – 2014
Uzbek Palov culture and tradition (Uzbek Pilav) – 2016
Uzbek National dance Lazgi – 2019
Navruz National Holiday
Art of Shoshmakom
