The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on received new models yesterday, according to the decision of the UNESCO Committee.
The traditional art of making and wearing women's silk headscarf kelaghai (official name) is recognized for Azerbaijan. "Making kelaghai consists of the following stages: weaving, dyeing and hand-packing pattern. Weavers choose thin silk thread from which the fabric of square shape is made. The colors of the headscarf have a symbolic meaning, often associated with a specific event: a wedding, a funeral ceremony, daily activities and celebrations. Kelaghai is an expression of cultural identity, religious traditions, a symbol of social cohesion. Its production and wearing strengthen the role of women and cultural unity of the Azerbaijani society," the presentation reads.
Instead, the Armenians received official blessing on assignment of lavash (pita bread). According to the site of UNESCO (http://www.unesco.org/new/ru/media-services/single-view/news/eight_elements_from_algerie_armenia_azerbaijan_bolivia_bosnia_and_herzegovina_brazil_bulgaria_and_burundi_inscribed_on_representative_list_of_the_intangible_heritage/#.VHbZ9dKsXfI), it is reflected in the list as "Lavash: preparation, value and appearance of traditional Armenian bread as cultural expression" (Armenia). We describe it as follows:
"Lavash is traditional Armenian bread in the form of thin cakes, which is an integral part of the Armenian cuisine. Its preparation, it takes more effort, concerted action and special skills, strengthens family ties, community and social ties. To bake lavash, women get together. Men are also involved in the process of its preparation by making tools and building furnaces. In lavash they usually wrap local cheeses, vegetables or meat. By tradition, at the wedding lavash is put on the shoulders of the newlyweds, to live in prosperity and well-being."
For a long time, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey jointly challenged this element, insisting that the lavash bread is a sort of traditional bread, common throughout the region. --17D-
Culture
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The solo exhibition by Azerbaijani carpet artist Elnara Rasulova has opened in Istanbul. The exhibition, held in one of the city's historical locations, showcases Rasulova's collection, featuring approximately 50 carpets, including 17 of her own works. Among the pieces in the collection, one dates back to the 17th century.
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The pursuit of understanding Azerbaijan’s history is an ongoing journey, increasingly woven into modern literature, culture, and national pride. A recent contribution to this endeavor is Yusif Aghayev’s new book, “The Art of War in the 11th-13th Centuries in the Works of Great Azerbaijani Poet Nizami Ganjavi,” presented at the National Museum of the History of Azerbaijan. This event marked a dual triumph in Azerbaijan’s cultural and academic circles, linking medieval military history with the famous works of Nizami Ganjavi, a poet whose legacy has long enriched the nation’s identity.
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In an era where climate change resonates as one of the most pressing global challenges, the issue has found a poignant, visually compelling voice in Latvia's animated film Flow.
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In recent years, women’s presence in Azerbaijani literature has sparked conversations about equality in the arts, especially as new female writers and poets struggle to make their voices heard. Reflecting this struggle, “Salaam Cinema Cultural and Art Sanctuary” recently held an open-mic event under the banner “Time for Women on the Literary Stage.”
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