Armenian artisans protest UNESCO listing of Aintab embroidery as Turkish heritage

Panorama

Armenian folk artisans have criticized UNESCO’s decision to recognize Aintab (Antep) embroidery as part of Turkey’s intangible cultural heritage, arguing that the tradition is historically Armenian.

The listing was approved at the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi. The decision has sparked criticism from Armenian embroiderers, who say the craft originated in Armenian communities of the historic city of Aintab (now Gaziantep) and other regional centers.

In an interview to Panorama.am on Thursday, Lusine Mkhitaryan, an Armenian folk master and author of books on embroidery, said that she has appealed to Armenia’s Foreign Ministry and plans to send an open letter to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, urging authorities to challenge UNESCO’s decision.

“Armenian embroidery developed through distinct regional schools – Aintab, Marash, Izmir and others – over centuries,” she said. “What UNESCO has registered is our tradition, which Turks later learned from Armenians.”

Mkhitaryan said there is extensive academic and material evidence, including museum collections and historical accounts, demonstrating the Armenian origins of Aintab embroidery. She added that stylistic differences between Armenian and Turkish embroidery are subtle and often only recognizable to specialists.

She also raised concerns about the implications for Armenian museums that hold numerous samples of Aintab embroidery. “How are we now supposed to label these works – as Turkey’s intangible cultural heritage?” she asked.

Panorama.am has requested an official response from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports regarding the UNESCO decision and whether any steps have been taken to contest it.