The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed the Tangail saree weaving tradition on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The decision was unanimously adopted on Tuesday during the 20th session of the UNESCO Convention held in New Delhi, India, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
“This recognition is an exceptional moment of pride for Bangladesh,” said Ambassador Khondker M Talha, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, in his immediate reaction. He added that the inscription acknowledges more than two centuries of artistic excellence by the weavers of Tangail. According to him, the Tangail saree has long been an essential garment for women across Bangladesh, and this widespread cultural presence contributed to the craft’s international recognition.
In 2023, India declared the Tangail saree as one of its Geographical Indication (GI) products, a move that sparked significant controversy in Bangladesh. The government now hopes that UNESCO’s recognition will put an end to that dispute.
