CULTURE
Armenian provocation on ‘Lavash’ in UNESCO prevented
Baku, December 3, AZERTAC
Azerbaijani side protested against Armenia’s nomination ‘Lavash, the preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional bread as an expression of culture in Armenia’ on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the 9th session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that the name of the file was changed in accordance with the requirements of the UNESCO Convention.
“The Armenian provocation was prevented as a result of Azerbaijan’s objection and activities carried out in this regard. Thus, the name of the file was changed in accordance with the requirements of the UNESCO Convention revealing that lavash doesn’t belong to the Armenian nation, it only exists in Armenia, too. According to the outcomes of the discussions held in the Committee, this attempt of Armenia is unacceptable and preparation of any food in Armenia doesn’t mean that it belongs to the Armenian nation,” the ministry said.
In line with the demand of the UNESCO Convention, the name of the file “Tradition of baking Armenian bread-lavash” submitted by Armenia was changed. This meant the refusal of the idea that the tradition of baking lavash belong purely to the Armenian national cuisine.
It was noted that preparing any dish in the territory of Armenia does not prove that it belongs to the national Armenian cuisine.
The ministry also added that the Committee held a joint meeting of representatives of the regional countries on Azerbaijan’s initiative, and it was decided “lavash” to be submitted to UNESCO as a legacy of the regional countries’ cuisines in the next year.