On November 17, UNESCO declared Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The decision was made at today’s session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Armenian Culture Ministry press service informed NEWS.am.

Armenia’s nomination titled “Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars” presented history of the Armenian khachkars, their essence and modern developments.

Interestingly, in the course of the meeting, Azerbaijan’s representative demanded that the title of the Armenian application should be changed. He claimed that art of cross-stones belonged not only to Armenians but also Caucasian Albanians, alleged predecessors of Azerbaijanis. He also called Armenia an occupant and accused it of distorting historical facts. On the initiative of the Azerbaijani government UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova received 143 letters calling not to approve nomination presented by Armenia. However, after long and heated debates, intergovernmental committee ignored Azerbaijani claims an approved Armenian nomination (Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars).