The ninth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage opened in Paris on 24 November in the presence of 950 participants. The Committee will remain in session until 28 November at UNESCO’s Headquarters (Room I). The session will consider inclusion of askiya to UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Askiya is the distinct genre of Uzbek verbal folk art, essential component of the folk amusement and widely popular spectacular entertainment, with a deep-rooted history. Being an original eloquence and witticism contest, it is organized predominantly in the form of dialogue between two or more participants around particular theme.

At the center of askiya is humor created by its practitioners, whose talent is observable in skillful use of words (in different meanings and for different purposes), in giving impromptu and meaningful reply to certain opinions or questions (based on solid knowledge of various life situations, thorough thinking, performance and speech culture) and making effective use of body movements.

Two distinct types of askiya are observed, i.e. “Maishiy askiya” (“Everyday life Askiya”) and “Sahnaviy askiya” (“Onstage Askiya”). At present, more than thirty forms of askiya are known, including payrov, qofiya, radif, okhshatdim, safsata, gulmisiz and terma. Although, each of them conform to common requirements of askiya art genre, still each has its own distinctive features.

Askiya is part of traditional artistic programmes in folk celebrations, festivities, family-related rituals and get-togethers organized in the cities and villages across Uzbekistan. Its knowledge and traditions are passed on from generation to generation and constantly recreated by communities, groups and individuals.

Askiya is a bright reflection of Uzbek people’s feeling of identity and succession. It makes people joke open-heartedly and laugh at some flaws run across in the daily life of contemporaries.