UNESCO representative list1 sources
La calligraphie arabe : connaissances, compétences et pratiques
Arabic calligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace and beauty. The practice, which can be passed down 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...
Global DiasporasSaudi Arabia / AlgeriaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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UNESCO representative list1 sources
L’écriture arménienne et ses expressions culturelles
Armenian letter art and its cultural expressions constitutes the centuries-old art of Armenian letters, Armenian scripts, the rich culture of decorating letters and its various uses. The element is based on the Armenian alphabet created in 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots, following the ‘one-letter-for-one-sound’ principle. The element is also...
Middle EastArmeniaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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L’art de la gravure de sceaux chinois
The art of seal engraving is a cornerstone of Chinese fine arts. The seal was originally used as a signature or sign of authority, but it came to be used by all social classes and in much of Asia. The Seal Engravers’ Society of Xiling in Zhejiang Province, central China, which was founded a century ago, preserves the art of seal...
East AsiaChinaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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L’art de l’enluminure : Təzhib/Tazhib/ Zarhalkori/Tezhip/ Naqqoshlik
Illumination is a centuries-old decorative art practised on the pages of manuscripts, calligraphic texts and miniatures. The main component is gold leaf or gold paint, both of which entail specific knowledge and techniques. Natural pigments are also used, and synthetic paints such as watercolour or gouache have become widespread in...
Global DiasporasAzerbaijan / Iran, Islamic Republic ofNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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UNESCO representative list1 sources
La calligraphie chinoise
Chinese calligraphy has always been more than simply a tool for communication, incorporating as it does the element of artistry for which the practice is still valued in an age of ballpoint pens and computers. Indeed, calligraphy is no longer the basic tool of intellectuals and officials but has become the preserve of professional...
East AsiaChinaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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Le savoir-faire lié à l’incrustation de nacre
Mother of pearl inlay is the practice of inserting mother of pearl pieces into wooden objects such as Koran cases, desks, chests, chairs, mirrors, jewel cases and musical instruments. Craftspeople begin by cutting the inner shells of molluscs into different shapes. They draw motifs on a piece of wood, carve out the outlines and shape...
Middle EastAzerbaijan / TürkiyeNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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Hüsn-i Hat, la calligraphie traditionnelle dans l'art islamique en Turquie
The Hüsn-i hat is the centuries-old practice of writing letters of Arabic origin in a measured and proportional manner while taking into consideration certain aesthetic values. Traditional tools include a specific type of paper glazed with organic substances, a reed pen, pen knives, a special slab for trimming the reed pen, an inkwell,...
Middle EastTürkiyeNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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UNESCO representative list1 sources
La culture vivante des trois systèmes d'écriture de l'alphabet géorgien
The evolution of Georgia’s written language has produced three alphabets – Mrgvlovani, Nuskhuri and Mkhedruli – which all remain in use today. Mrgvlovani was the first alphabet from which Nuskhuri was derived and then Mkhedruli. The alphabets coexist thanks to their different cultural and social functions, reflecting an aspect of...
Middle EastGeorgiaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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UNESCO urgent safeguarding list1 sources
La calligraphie mongole
Mongolian calligraphy is the technique of handwriting in the Classical Mongolian script, which comprises ninety letters connected vertically by continuous strokes to create words. The letters are formed from six main strokes, known as head, tooth, stem, stomach, bow and tail, respectively. This meticulous writing is used for official...
East AsiaMongoliaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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Register of Good Safeguarding Practices1 sources
Programme national de sauvegarde de l’art traditionnel de la calligraphie en Iran
The tradition of calligraphy has always been associated with the act of writing in Iran, and even when the writers had limited literacy, calligraphy and writing were still intricately linked. But with the advent of printing and the emergence of computer programmes and digital fonts, this art gradually declined and the emphasis on pure...
South AsiaIran, Islamic Republic ofNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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Les techniques artisanales traditionnelles de fabrication du papier Xuan
The unique water quality and mild climate of Jing County in Anhui Province in eastern China are two of the key ingredients in the craft of making Xuan paper that thrives there. Handmade from the tough bark of the Tara Wing-Celtis or Blue Sandalwood tree and rice straw, Xuan paper is known for its strong, smooth surface, its ability to...
East AsiaChinaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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Le tir à l’arc traditionnel turc
Traditional Turkish archery encompasses principles, rituals and social practices, the craftsmanship of traditional equipment, archery disciplines and shooting techniques that have evolved over the centuries. In traditional Turkish archery, there are different types of disciplines practised on foot and horseback. Bearers and...
Middle EastTürkiyeNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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UNESCO representative list1 sources
Le washi, savoir-faire du papier artisanal traditionnel japonais
Washi craftsmanship refers to the traditional practice of making paper by hand using the fibres of the paper mulberry plant. The fibres are first separated, then soaked in clear river water to thicken before being filtered through a bamboo screen. This traditional, hand-made paper is used not only for letter writing, books and...
East AsiaJapanNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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UNESCO urgent safeguarding list1 sources
L’imprimerie chinoise à caractères mobiles en bois
One of the world’s oldest printing techniques, wooden movable-type printing is maintained in Rui’an County, Zhejiang Province, where it is used in compiling and printing clan genealogies. Men are trained to draw and engrave Chinese characters, which are then set into a type-page and printed. This requires abundant historical knowledge...
East AsiaChinaNot specified in UNESCO dataset
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