The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting at UNESCO Headquarters today, inscribed the traditional Armenia epic Daredevils of Sassoun on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“The traditional Armenia epic Daredevils of Sassoun recounts the story of David of Sassoun, a defiant youth who defended his homeland in an unequal duel against the evil. This heroic epic is recounted and sung in sections in a lyrical voice with rhythmic enunciation. It is performed, usually sitting, to the musical accompaniment of a duduk during weddings, birthdays, christenings and major national cultural events. There are 160 variants and performances may last up to two hours,” UNESCO writes.
