Tehran ICH Centre
In 2006, the Islamic Republic of Iran joined the 2003 Convention as the 40th Member State. On 28 April 2010, an agreement regarding the establishment of a Regional Research Centre for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in West and Central Asia, Under the Auspices of UNESCO, was signed by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Subsequent to this, on 13 June 2011, the Islamic Parliament of Iran approved the signed agreement,and this resulted in the official inauguration of the activities of the Regional Research Centre for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in West and Central Asia, Under the Auspices of UNESCO (Category 2) (or “Tehran ICH Centre”) on 10 November 2012. An inauguration ceremony was held with the participation of national authorities, the ambassadors and representatives of 68 countries, and the representative of the Director General of UNESCO.
Geographical scope The geographical scope of the Tehran ICH Centre is “West and Central Asia”. The region encompasses the immediate neighbors of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Central Asian States, the Caucasian States, and the Arab States of the Middle East and West Asia. In view of the continuous spread of the intangible cultural heritage over geographical territories, usually various countries in a specific geographical region are observed as sharing ICH manifestations.
In line with UNESCO’s geographical classification, the Centre’s geographical scope includes states members to three UNESCO electoral groups namely: the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Arab States.
Premises Presently, the Tehran ICH Centre is permanently based in Emaarat-e Kushk, located at No. 31, Corner of Mohanna Str., Taqavi Str., North Ferdowsi Ave., Tehran, IR of Iran.Emaarat-e Kushk is a historical building of the Development Period in Iranian Architecture, and dates back to the late Qajar Dynasty. The building has been inscribed on the List of National Properties of the Islamic Republic of Iran, under registration No.: 1834.