Unesco names falconry as heritage of humanity
By IANSWednesday, November 17, 2010
Nairobi, Nov 17 (IANS/WAM) The Unesco has included falconry in its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The move is the culmination of efforts made by the UAE in cooperation with 11 Arab and foreign countries, WAM said Wednesday.
The announcement came during the meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Unesco, in Nairobi Nov 15-19.
The UAE delegation to the meeting was led by Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, the advisor for culture and heritage at the court of the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and director general of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).
An Unesco experts’ committee unanimously approved the registration of falconry as a live human heritage.
Falconry or hawking is a sport that involves the use of trained raptors (birds of prey) to hunt or pursue game for humans.
Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of ADACH, said the UAE has achieved a great success in preserving the elements of intangible heritage.
Al Mazrouei stressed that the UAE “has spared no effort in supporting conservation projects on heritage, especially falconry, which is an important part of our culture and ancient history”.
“Our nation still continues its tireless efforts to support Unesco’s plans and programmes to preserve the cultural heritage and human patrimony of mankind,” he added.
–WAM/IANS
