Arabic calligraphy becomes Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Two heritages for Italy as well

The latest session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage included 39 more assets in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For some countries this is a first (in particular, the states seeing their heritage recognized for the first time are Micronesia, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Seychelles, East Timor, Iceland and Haiti). In all, now the Intangible Heritage of Humanity has 630 items from 140 different countries.

Among the new activities inscribed on the World Heritage List is Arabic calligraphy, shared among Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. It is the artistic practice of handwriting typical of Arab countries, created to “convey harmony, grace and beauty,” reads the official UNESCO description. The practice, which can be passed on through formal and informal education, uses the twenty-eight letters of the Arabic alphabet, written in cursive from right to left. Originally intended to make writing clear and legible, it has gradually become an art. The fluidity of Arabic script offers endless possibilities, even within a single word, as the letters can be stretched and transformed in numerous ways to create different patterns. Traditional techniques use natural materials, such as reeds and bamboo stems, which are used to make the qalam, the tool with which writing is done. A mixture of honey, black soot and saffron is used for the ink, and the paper is handmade and treated with starch, egg white and alum. Modern calligraphy commonly uses markers and synthetic paint, and spray paint is used for “calligraphy” on walls, signs and buildings. Artisans and designers also use Arabic calligraphy for artwork, for example, marble and wood carvings, embroidery, and metal engravings. Arabic calligraphy is widespread in Arab and non-Arab countries, and is practiced by men and women of all ages.

Two heritages forItaly as well, one of which is shared with other countries. Exclusive to our country is truffle hunting, a set of knowledge and practices that has been handed down orally for centuries. Even today this activity characterizes the lives of entire rural communities in the Italian peninsula ( truffle h unters usually live in the countryside and small villages). There are two phases of truffle hunting: hunting and extraction. Hunting involves finding the areas where the truffle plant grows, from whose roots the hypogeous fungus called ’truffle’ grows. This step is performed with the help of a trained dog. The hunters then use a special spade that allows them to extract the truffles without disturbing the ground conditions. Truffle hunting involves a wide range of skills and knowledge (about climate, environment and vegetation) related to the management of natural ecosystems and the dog-truffle relationship. This knowledge is transmitted through oral traditions, including stories, fables, anecdotes and expressions that reflect local cultural identity and create a sense of solidarity within the truffle hunting community. Truffle hunting is often associated with folk festivals that mark the beginning and end of the truffle season. The practices respect ecological balance and plant biodiversity, ensuring the seasonal regeneration of the species from which the precious food comes.

The second is falconry, shared with Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Spain and Syria. Falconry is the art of training and flying falcons (and sometimes eagles, buzzards and other birds of prey). It has been practiced for more than 4,000 years. The practice of falconry in ancient and medieval times is documented in many parts of the world. Originally a means of obtaining food, falconry acquired other values over time and was integrated into communities as a social and recreational practice and as a means of connecting with nature. Today falconry is practiced by people of all ages in many countries. As an important cultural symbol in many of those countries, it is passed on from generation to generation through a wide variety of mediums. The modern practice of falconry focuses on the preservation of falcons and their habitats. And while falconers come from diverse backgrounds, they share universal values, traditions and practices, including the methods of raising, training and caring for birds, the equipment used and the bonds between the falconer and the bird. The falconry community includes supporting entities such as falcon hospitals, breeding centers, conservation agencies and traditional equipment manufacturers.

Completing the list are these intangible heritages: the Nordic tradition of clinker-hulled boats (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden), the Congolese rumba (Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo), the great festival of Tarija (Bolivia), the cult of St. John the Baptist (Venezuela), the Pasillo (Ecuador), the dances and artistic expressions associated with Corpus Christi (Panama), the pottery of the Awajú peoplen (Peru), Songket cloth (Malaysia), the musical instrument Gamelan (Indonesia), Noma dance (Thailand), Xò dancee (Vietnam), the Durga Puja festival in Calcutta (India), Dumbara carpets (Sri Lanka), the musical genre Dutar (Turkmenistan), Moutya dance (Seychelles), Kabary oratory art (Madagascar), Ceebu Jen cuisine (Senegal), Fjiri music (Bahrain), Al-naoor wooden wheels (Iraq), traditional textiles of Palestine (Palestine), al-Qudoud music (Syria), Tbourida equestrian art (Morocco), Turkish Islamic calligraphy Husn-i Hat (Turkey), Kaustinen play (Finland), Inuit traditional dances and songs (Denmark), L-Ghana folk music (Malta), Campo Maior festival (Portugal), Falak traditional music (Tajikistan), Visoko traditional songs (Bulgaria), Ornek Tatar ornaments (Ukraine), the jousting on stilts in Namur (Belgium), floral float courses (Netherlands), Bakhshi art (Uzbekistan), the cultural heritage of the Boka Kotorska Bay Navy (Montenegro), the floral carpets of Corpus Christi processions (Poland), Joumou soup (Haiti).

Image: Arabic calligraphy. Photo Jassim Meraj, Kuwait, 2017

Arabic calligraphy becomes Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Two heritages for Italy as well

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