Armenian epic ‘David of Sassoun’ on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage opened its 7^th session in Paris, France, on December 3.

The session discussed the issue of putting the Performance of the Armenian epic of Daredevils of Sassoun or David of Sassoun on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

“In 2010 we applied and, according to the procedure, experts examined our application for two years. According to the preliminary data, six experts expressed positive opinions,” Yeranuhi Sargsyan of Armenia’s Ministry of Culture told Tert.am.

Asked about the benefits besides moral benefits from the Armenian epic being put on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Ms Yeranuhi Sargsyan said that “any article of Armenian art on this list is source of pride in our national identity.”

The Armenian national epic will be the third on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. In 2005, Armenian duduk, khachkars (cross-stones) and carving of khachkars were put on the list.

Earlier, in 2000, a number of pieces of Armenian cultural heritage were put on the World Cultural Heritage list. Among them are Sanahin, Geghard and Echmiadzin, Surb Hripsime, Surb Gayane, Surb Shoghakat, and Zvartnots.

Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Culture Arev Samuelyan and First Secretary of the Committee for UNESCO Kristine Mehrebekyan left for Paris.