25 April 2013
Republic of Tajikistan stands at the crossroads of ancient civilizations. For centuries, the phenomenon of intangible cultural heritage was a key factor for transmission of indigenous cultural traditions for future generations as well as a matching point for intercultural dialogue. Indeed, such element of classical music of Central Asia "Shashmaqom" (Uzbekistan/Tajikistan 2003) of the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity reflects the richness of music traditions.
The second in a series of UNESCO training workshops was held in the framework of the project "Strengthening national capacities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Central Asia," with the financial support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 10-13 April 2013 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan organized the seminar with the support of the National Commission of the Republic of Tajikistan for UNESCO. The workshop was conducted for governmental, academic and educational institutions, crafts, traditional music communities, and civil society.
The workshop provided an opportunity to improve participants' knowledge of international mechanisms of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In particular, participants gained practical experience on how to complete application forms for submitting ICH elements to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Participants also learned about programs, projects and activities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, receiving information on the forms and conditions for international assistance.
The training was closed by Mr. Mirzoshokhrukh Asrori, Minister of Culture and Chairperson of the National Commission of Tajikistan for UNESCO. During the training the Ministry formed out an expert working group under the National ICH Committee out of participants of the training, representing all domains of the Convention. Most of the members of the working group are from the Research Institute of Culture and Information.
Since the ratification of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (17 August 2010) Tajikistan is paying special attention to the preservation of ICH at the national level. In particular, the programme for the preservation of ICH till 2015 was developed and approved.
Permanent link: http://en.unesco.kz/rich-and-diverse-traditions-of-tajikistan-in-focus-of-the-unesco-s-convention