Three certificates of inclusion last year in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity "Turkmen art of embroidery", "Sericulture and traditional production of silk for weaving" and "Traditions of retelling the parables of Molla Ependi" were presented to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov today by the director of the UNESCO cluster office in Tehran Golda El-Khoury, the information program Watan of the Turkmen television reported.
Thanking the representative of the UN specialized agency for education, science and culture for presenting the relevant certificates, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed that this event is another recognition by the world community of the significant contribution of the Turkmen people, carefully preserving and passing on from generation to generation their rich unique traditions, in the development universal culture.
During the exchange of views on the state and prospects of fruitful relations, the head of state and the guest noted with satisfaction that Turkmenistan is carrying out large-scale work to preserve for future generations the historical, cultural and natural values that are an integral part of world civilization. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's full membership in UNESCO and successful bilateral cooperation.
“We take a responsible and systematic approach to the development of cooperation with UNESCO. The main facilitating and coordinating body in this direction is the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, which is actively working,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
As noted, thanks to the effective interaction of domestic specialists, together with foreign experts, a number of unique historical sites on the territory of Turkmenistan were selected - Ancient Merv, Kunya-urgench and the fortress of Ancient Nisa, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Vivid examples are also the entry into the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the Gorogly epic, the Novruz holiday, the singing and dancing ritual of Kushtdepdi, the Turkmen national art of carpet weaving, as well as the craft of making dutar, performing musical art on it and the art of bagshy.
One of the topics of substantive discussion was the ongoing work to include Ashgabat in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, as well as to include other types of art and original customs of the Turkmen people in the UNESCO Heritage List in the future.
Establishment of relevant UNESCO chairs in higher educational institutions of the country within the framework of the implementation of the UNITWIN international program is also a confirmation of the productivity of bilateral contacts. Along with this, it was noted that work has been carried out to include a number of secondary schools in the network of UNESCO Associated Schools, UNESCO clubs have been opened in two universities.