Tangail saree weaving recognised by UNESCO as cultural heritage

Tangail’s traditional saree weaving craft has been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The decision was unanimously adopted at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention, held in New Delhi, India.

Under this convention, the listing marks Bangladesh’s sixth individual inscription, and the country’s second achievement within four years of becoming a committee member.

Reacting immediately after the announcement, Ambassador Khandker M Talha, head of the Bangladesh delegation and president of UNESCO’s General Conference, said, “This is an extraordinary moment of pride for Bangladesh. The creative craftsmanship of Tangail’s weavers spanning more than two centuries has now received global recognition. The everyday wear of Bangladeshi women, the Tangail saree, has been a major inspiration behind this inscription.” He dedicated the achievement to all weavers and women of Bangladesh.

Ambassador Talha further said that the recognition will bring a new dimension to the preservation and promotion of Bangladesh’s intangible cultural heritage. He added that Bangladesh has many more traditions that, with proper documentation and capacity enhancement, could attain UNESCO recognition in the future.

Meanwhile, the ongoing session was inaugurated on December 7 by India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar. Newly appointed UNESCO director-general Khaled El Enany also attended the programme.