The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts. The "intangible cultural heritage" is defined by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, drafted in 2003 and took effect in 2006. Inscription of new heritage elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organisation established by the convention.
Syria signed the convention on 11 March 2005.
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Representative List Name Image Year No. Description Practices and craftsmanship associated with the Damascene rose in Al-Mrah 2019 01369 Practices and craftsmanship associated with the Damascene rose by farmers and families in Al-Mrah. Al-Qudoud al-Halabiya 2021 01578 Al-Qudoud al-Halabiya are traditional Syrian songs combining lyrics in Classical Arabic based on the poetry of Al-Andalus, particularly that in muwashshah form, with old religious melodies collected mainly by Aleppine musicians. Falconry, a living human heritage + 2021 01708 The origin of falconry goes back to the use of hunting by birds of prey as a mean of hunting but it has evolved over time to become part of the cultural heritage of the people. Crafting and playing the Oud + 2022 01867 The oud is a short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument. Craftsmanship of Aleppo Ghar soap 2024 02132 Ghar soap is a handmade, hard bar soap associated with the city of Aleppo. Bisht (men's Abaa): skills and practices + 2025 02233 A bisht is a traditional men's cloak popular in the Arab world for hundreds of years. Arabic Kohl + 2025 02261 Kohl is a fine black powder used as eyeliner traditionally made by crushing stibnite.
Elements in Need of Urgent Safeguarding Name Image Year No. Description Shadow play 2018 01368 Traditional handmade puppets shadows plays in Damascus. Traditional Syrian glassblowing 2023 01956 Traditional glassblowing is the artisanal craft of creating glass objects using pieces of waste glass, which are placed inside a handmade brick oven to melt. The craftsman twists the molten glass around a hollow metal rod, and then blows into the rod to inflate the glass, using metal tongs to mould it into the desired shape.
See also List of World Heritage Sites in Syria
Notes
References
External links UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Syria: Official site