APA reports quoting IRNA that in this regard, on December 9, several culture and scientists of Tajikistan led by Akbar Torsan, Yusifshah Bagirov and Abdulnabi Sattarzadeh sent a letter to UNESCO in English and Tajik. They called on UNESCO to register Chovqan as a common cultural heritage of Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Armenia, though it belongs to Iran.
Chief of the international relations department of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture Vasif Eyvazzadeh told APA that Chovqan, a traditional Karabakh horse-riding game, has been included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding at Azerbaijan’s request and such requests are groundless.
“There is no way back. If any country wants to join it, it can appeal to UNESCO. Tajikistan has not sent a written or verbal appeal to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism,” he said.
Commenting on the fact that Armenia is also named among the countries, to which Chovqan belongs, Eyvazzadeh said “in the Republic of Azerbaijan” is written in the decision passed by the UNESCO.
“The result is obvious, a decision was passed at the session that Chovqan, which is played riding Karabakh horses, is to be registered. If Tajikistan wants to join it, these are topics of further discussions. Currently, this game has been included in the list with the name of Azerbaijan Republic. If the ministry received an official appeal, we will inform them basing on legal rules,” he said.
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