On November 17 in Nairobi, Kenya, at a meeting of Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by UNESCO, a list of 47-cultural traditions of peoples around the world was approved. The art of creation Armenian Khachkars (cross-stones) was also included in the list, as the centuries-old tradition of the Armenian people, transmitted from generation to generation. As reported in the official site of UNESCO, among more than 50,000 Khachkars in Armenia, each has its own pattern, and no two are alike. The source also notes the height of the cross-stones up to 1.5 m, but most likely the authors have forgotten about such magnificent works of art as cross-stones in monastery complex Sanahin (complex included in the list of UNESCO's historical heritage by in the year 2000) or Goshavank, that astonish not only by their bigger size but also by perfect craftsmanship. Also note that when information like this appears in such well-known news portals as REGNUM.RU, (http://www.regnum.ru/news/fd-abroad/armenia/1347782.html) the news must be accompanied by photographs, that really would help the reader better understand the centuries-old fine art of khachkar creation. Also, we'd like to mention a sad fact of recent vandalism of this "cultural heritage". Since 1987-2005 in the territory of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, thousands of beautiful cross-stones of the monastery complex Nor Jugha have been completely destroyed, and the facts of this heinous vandalism, for many years was "pestering" by Armenian government to UNESCO and other concerned international organizations. More than 500-hundred Armenian cemetery with khachkars and 218 Armenian churches were destroyed in Nakhichevan. The reason for the complete destruction of the cross-stones and churches by Azerbaijani side is certainly understandable; it's a destruction of all identification evidences for centuries-old Armenian stay on this land. But we want to live in the world where everything that relates to the history and culture will be really appreciated, to live in the world where neighbor nations will respect each other, and will recognize real history and existing reality.

Watch the video of the destruction of khachkars in Nor Jugha.