Iran’s Kamancheh world-listed by UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has listed Iranian string instrument Kamancheh as the cultural heritage of the nation.

The instrument was added to the UNESCO list for Iran’s intangible cultural heritage in the 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in South Korea.

Kamancheh (Persian word for ‘little bow') is a bowed string instrument which resembles a violin in that it is played by drawing a bow across the strings.

It is used in rural and urban Iran in many celebrations and is also played in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and several other countries.

 The UNESCO has so far entered 13 items of Iran's Intangible Cultural Heritage on its list, including the world-famous feast of Nowruz.

MF/MF