UNESCO lists “Kalagayi” as Azeri, “Lavash” as Armenian

By Kamal Ali

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture has something to celebrate: Our national women’s headscarf, Kalagayi, has been listed by UNESCO as an element of Azerbaijan’s “intangible cultural heritage”. 

UNESCO said on its website: “Kalagayi making consists of weaving, dyeing and woodblock decoration. Weavers choose thin silk threads to make square-shaped cloths. The colors of the headscarves have symbolic meanings often tied to specific social occasions, such as weddings, mourning ceremonies, daily activities and celebrations. 

“An expression of cultural identity and religious traditions and a symbol of social cohesion, making and wearing headscarves reinforce the role of women and strengthens the cultural unity of Azerbaijani society.”

The same ministry, however, is now receiving countless numbers of telephone calls by journalists seeking comment on UNESCO’s decision to add Lavash into the list as an element of Armenian cultural heritage. Azerbaijanis too love Lavash and enjoy gorging on this type of bread no less than Armenians do. It is also known as “Yuxa” and “Fatir” in some regions of Azerbaijan.

This is what UNESCO says on its website about Lavash: “Lavash bread is traditional thin bread that forms an integral part of Armenian cuisine. Its preparation requires great effort, coordination and special skills and strengthens family, community and social ties. Women work in groups to bake lavash, which is commonly served rolled around local cheeses, greens or meats. It plays a ritual role in weddings, where it is placed on the shoulders of newlyweds to bring fertility and prosperity. Men are also involved through making tools and building ovens.”

The press service of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism says that Armenia proposed at the ninth session of UNESCO’s inter-governmental committee to list Lavash as an element of Armenian cultural heritage. However, the committee decided that Lavash is something commonly used in the region and is not special to Armenian culture alone. Representatives from Azerbaijan suggested that in its session next year the committee should list Lavash as an element of the cultural heritage of the entire region.