Decision to include Dolma making and sharing tradition into UNESCO list does not assume ownership

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS. The decision to include the tradition of Dolma making and sharing in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list does not assume any right to ownership or belonging. The cultural manifestations, traditions connected with the given element are included in the list.

Ethnographer Svetlana Poghosyan told ARMENPRESS that the application submitted by Azerbaijan has no scientific explanation. The inclusion of Dolma making in UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage based on the application of Azerbaijan is most probably a result of the caviar policy.

“I have studied the application submitted by Azerbaijan, it was ungrounded and illiterate written. The application includes names of places that have no link with Azerbaijan, it’s obvious that an attempt is made to use the culture of other countries. As for dolma, V. V. Pokhlebkin, candidate of historical sciences, a skilled culinary specialist, said long ago that some dishes in the Azerbaijani cuisine are taken from the Armenian cuisine, including Dolma, and that these dishes entered the Azerbaijani people’s daily food list”, Svetlana Poghosyan said.

Today both in Armenia and the Diaspora the national knowledge and skills on preparing many traditional dishes are still viable. Each housewife in all regions of Armenia prepares different types of Dolma without any concrete instructions. As a traditional dish Dolma is served in all Armenian restaurants. Annual Dolma festival is being held in Armenia during which individuals and organizations present traditional examples of Dolma.

“Here we need to think about seriously. I think we are weakening in this field. It’s necessary to conduct a serious work in the cultural field”, she said.

Dolma making and sharing tradition has been included in the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by the application of Azerbaijan.