TEHRAN -- The chairman of Iran’s House of Music board of directors has asked the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) to submit the Iranian tar to be registered on the UNESCO list.
“Due to its history in Iran, the tar could be registered as an independent Iranian instrument on the list,” Mohammad Sarir told the Persian service of MNA on Sunday.
He also called on the CHTHO to create a file for the tar after consultation with musicians and to send it to UNESCO.
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed the art of craftsmanship and performance of the tar, a long-necked stringed instrument, for the Republic of Azerbaijan on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in early December.
Many Iranian cultural organizations censured the UNESCO decision to inscribe an Iranian instrument for Azerbaijan on its list. They have also lamented the negligence of Iranian cultural officials.
CHTHO has made no comment about the UNESCO decision so far. It is Iran’s sole organization responsible for pursuing registration of any cultural sites and items on UNESCO’s various lists.
Meanwhile, member of the UNESCO press service Lucia Iglesias said last week that Iran could apply to UNESCO to register its own tar on the list, too.
“Presenting the nomination, Azerbaijan has assured the committee that the tar is being used in this country and it is of particular importance to the Azerbaijani public. Iran can propose to Azerbaijan to expand the current description of the tar and submit its version on tar performing; no one would prevent it,” she told APA, a chief news agencies in Azerbaijan.
MMS/YAW
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