Khorezm dance “Lazgi” is included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as an element of the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.
The decision was made on December 12 in Bogota (Colombia) during the XIV session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov said.
The delegation of Uzbekistan, headed by the Ambassador of the Republic to UNESCO Ulugbek Shadiyev, held a solemn presentation of the “Lazgi” nomination. During the presentation, it was emphasized that Uzbekistan may offer many more unique elements of the intangible cultural heritage of the Uzbek people for the UNESCO Representative List. In this context, the Uzbek side has officially announced the promotion of nominations for the Bakhshi art and ethnic sports for inclusion in this list in the coming years.
The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage approved the inclusion of “Lazgi” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity based on a broad consensus without a vote.
Thus, UNESCO commences to take the necessary measures to preserve, enhance and popularize the Khorezm dance, along with other elements of the Uzbek intangible culture that were previously included in the Representative List - “Shashmaqom” and “Cultural space of Boysun district” (2008), “Katta Ashula” (2009), “Askiya” (2014), “Culture and Traditions of Plov” and “Navruz” (2016).
Representatives of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee’s Assessment Commission welcomed the nomination of the “Lazgi” dance, which has the right to be on the Representative List for many reasons.
Firstly, the dance has a rich history, its original elements appeared when a person invented fire. Secondly, the “Lazgi” elements are fundamentally different from other dances in the region. Thirdly, the dance is well known and popular due to its fiery and very energetic nature.
