Seventh Board of Governors Summit: Culture as Key-Turner and Deadlock-Breaker

Ali Darabi, the deputy of the country's cultural heritage and the head of the board of governors of Tehran's Intangible Heritage Center, wrote in a note to Aria Heritage: UNESCO has eight second-category specialized centers in the world within the framework of the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Regional Study Center for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Western and Central Asia, under the supervision of UNESCO and located in Tehran, is one of these centers. The center whose scope of mission includes 24 West and Central Asian countries.

Within the framework of the objectives of the 2003 Convention, these centers have the duty to help the member countries in the protection of intangible cultural heritage by developing regional cooperation, capacity building, networking, introducing and promoting living heritage, exchanging knowledge and transferring successful experiences.

Intangible cultural heritage, contrary to what is sometimes thought, is not just a collection of rituals and traditions left over from the past; Rather, it is a living and dynamic heritage that flows in the heart of people's lives, is passed from one generation to another, and has a deep connection with the identity, historical memory and social life of nations.

Since 1400, when I assumed the responsibility of the country's cultural heritage deputy, one of the topics that I followed seriously was the activation and revival of the capacities of Tehran's intangible heritage center.

At that time, due to some incorrect and restrictive perceptions of the 2003 convention and the center's missions, the light of this important regional institution was half-off and on the verge of extinction, and it was feared that one of Iran's valuable capacities in the field of international cultural cooperation would gradually cease to be dynamic and effective.

With the belief that Iran should play an effective role in cultural cooperation in the region, due to its privileged position in civilization, rich cultural heritage and scientific and specialized capacities, we tried to rekindle this light and return the center to its rightful place.

Fortunately, with the efforts of the managers, experts and colleagues of the center, extensive planning for the development of its activities began; From networking between member countries and holding educational and specialized workshops to transferring knowledge and successful experiences of countries to each other, expanding communication with scientific and cultural institutions and holding cultural nights and cultural heritage nights of member countries, which provided a valuable opportunity to introduce the diverse manifestations of the living heritage of the nations of the region and strengthen mutual recognition and respect.

Following this path, the center's programs expanded to more important areas such as the role of local knowledge in the resilience of societies against climate change, the role of women in guarding and transferring traditional skills, the heritage of nomadic life, linking museums with intangible heritage, and training managers and policymakers.

These activities showed that Tehran's Intangible Heritage Center can become an effective platform for cultural cooperation, exchange of experience and utilization of the common capacities of the countries of the region beyond holding official meetings.

Of course, this path was accompanied by many difficulties.

The war of aggression by America and the usurping Zionist regime and some of their allies, by creating war conditions, security instability and serious restrictions on international travel, made the implementation of some of the planned programs of the center difficult and interrupted.

However, we never let the lights of the center's activities go off. Although some programs were inevitably delayed or changed in the way they were implemented, the flow of cultural cooperation, communication with member countries, and the pursuit of the center's missions continued.

The seventh meeting of the Board of Governors of the Tehran Intangible Heritage Center was held on Tuesday, October 21, 1405, at Laleh International Hotel in Tehran, with the presence of real and legal members of the council and the participation of representatives and experts from the countries of the region, including Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Armenia, Lebanon, and Oman.

Holding this summit in a situation where the region is facing political and security crises has a meaning beyond a specialized meeting.

This valuable presence shows that the field of culture can overcome many limitations and obstacles governing other fields of relations between countries.

In my opinion, culture and cultural heritage are one of the few areas that can open locks, break deadlocks, and even in the most difficult situations, keep the way of dialogue and cooperation between nations open.

This capacity has double importance in the field of intangible cultural heritage; Because the living heritage is present in the heart of people's lives and many of its manifestations, from rituals and traditions to indigenous knowledge, traditional skills, music and ways of life, are shared among the nations of the region.

Western and Central Asian countries, despite political, linguistic and social differences, have deep historical and cultural ties. These commonalities are a valuable asset for strengthening understanding, mutual respect and developing sustainable cooperation.

Therefore, culture and cultural heritage should not be considered as mere relics of the past; Rather, it should be considered as a living and effective capacity to build the future and strengthen human relations between nations.

The renewed trust of the members of the Council of Governors and their re-voting for the continuation of the presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the Council of Governors, along with supporting the continuation and strengthening of the activities of the Tehran Intangible Heritage Center, shows the importance of the position of this regional institution and the positive evaluation of the members of the efforts made to fulfill the legal mission and fulfill the assigned missions.

This trust is an honor for the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, and specifically, the Vice-Chancellor of Cultural Heritage and the Intangible Heritage Center of Tehran. An honor that is the result of collective efforts, continuous planning and the efforts of colleagues who have tried to raise the status of this center in the past years.

Undoubtedly, this achievement, along with the value and credit it brings to the country, creates a double responsibility for the continuation of this path and the expansion of regional cooperation.

I hope that by taking advantage of the trust of the member countries and the common cultural capacities of the region, we will be able to further promote the position of Tehran's Intangible Heritage Center as an effective institution in protecting living heritage, transferring knowledge and experience, and strengthening cultural cooperation between nations.

At a time when war and crisis make the ways of dialogue difficult, it is this culture that can open locks, break deadlocks and keep the light of understanding and cooperation between nations on.

The 7th meeting of the Board of Governors of the Tehran Intangible Heritage Center was a clear manifestation of this fact.