A conference titled “Armenian Intangible Cultural Heritage: Language, Music, Stories, Crafts” took place in Paris, dedicated to the challenges of Armenia’s intangible cultural heritage, issues related to state policy and program directions. Astghik Marabyan, Head of the Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, delivered a report at the conference, presenting the framework of the state policy of the Republic of Armenia in the field: the legislative field, development directions and strategic priorities.
Within the framework of the conference, films dedicated to carpet weaving and blacksmithing from the animated series “How Crafts are Created” were shown. Opening speeches were made by the RA Ambassador to France Arman Khachatryan, Inalco University Vice President Rima Sleiman, Director of the Armenian Studies Center of the same university Anahit Tonapetyan, Œuvre d’Orient Director Pascal Golnish, a representative of the French Institute of Historical and Cultural Heritage, as well as representatives of various cultural institutions. Aram Hakobyan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to UNESCO, presented the work done to promote Armenian intangible cultural heritage within UNESCO.
The international conference dedicated to the challenges of Armenia’s intangible cultural heritage summarized the achievements in the field and outlined the directions for developing further promotion of preservation. The conference was held at the initiative of the French Œuvre d’Orient organization, as well as in cooperation with the Inalco Foundation and the French Institute of Historical and Cultural Heritage.