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Arabic calligraphy has been officially added to Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Arabic calligraphy is “the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace, and beauty,” according to Unesco. The written form of Arabic, like most ancient scripts, has played a significant role in the spread of Arabic culture and is a source of pride for Arabs all over the world. The Arabic script has evolved from a simple means of communication to a complex art form. In today’s world, Arabic calligraphy can even be found as graffiti.
16 Arabic-speaking countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt, proposed that Arabic calligraphy be added to Unesco’s list. It was led by Saudi Arabia, which declared not one, but two years—2020 and 2021—as Arab Calligraphy Years. “We welcome the inscription of Arabic calligraphy, which is the result of the Kingdom championing this treasured aspect of authentic Arabic culture,” said Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan. The 16 countries that have worked so hard to achieve this milestone will meet again next year to compile a report on the evolution of the art form over time.
If you’re unfamiliar with Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, it honors cultural practices that are not physical in nature, such as world heritage sites. Games, dialects, foods, traditional folk dances, and hunting practices are all on the list. This year, falconry was added to Unesco’s list, joining Arabic calligraphy.
