170 communities in Armenia join International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage

A total of 170 communities in Armenia have joined the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports said.

“October 17 is the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Armenia also celebrates this day, as the preservation of intangible cultural heritage is one of the priority areas of the state cultural policy of the Republic of Armenia. In 2026, 170 communities in Armenia, 250 schools and kindergartens, 110 art schools and cultural centers, and 40 museums and libraries joined the initiative, organizing exhibitions, master classes, meetings, concerts and educational programs,” the ministry said.

The initiative is also featured on the official website of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

“The events held as part of the day not only provide an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of Armenian intangible cultural heritage, but also demonstrate that traditions are alive, passed down through generations, and can receive contemporary and innovative interpretations,” the ministry said in a statement.

The International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage was proclaimed in 2023 by a decision of UNESCO’s General Conference, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage and the need to preserve it.