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Dili, December 15th, 2021
Press Release
Government welcomes the classification of Tais as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO
Timor-Leste praises the approval of the classification of Tais, the national traditional textile, as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The decision, announced yesterday, December 14th, by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, was made considering that the Timor-Leste application met all the criteria for classification and because of the need for its urgent safeguarding. A proposal for financial assistance, in the value of $265 thousand dollars for the preservation of Tais was also approved.
The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity lists have been established by UNESCO to ensure better protection of important intangible cultural heritages around the world and to raise awareness of their importance.
This distinction represents the first Intangible Cultural Heritage of Timor-Leste and will be very important for the valorisation and preservation of this important element of national culture.
The use of Tais is essential in ceremonies of homage, festivals and cultural and religious rituals. Traditionally it is produced manually by women, in wooden looms, from cotton threads dyed with natural pigments. END