Home UNESCO Lists Intangible Cultural Heritage Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Balaban/Mey

Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Balaban/Mey

Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Balaban/Mey

The Balaban (Azerbaijan) or Mey (Turkey) is an ancient woodwind made from plum or apricot wood. It features a body, double reed, and clip.
Its crafting and playing techniques, which vary by region in materials and design, are passed down within families and through formal education. The Balaban or Mey is played at various events in their respective countries, symbolizing cultural identity and unity across diverse groups.

Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Balaban/Mey was inscribed in 2023 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Azerbaijan, Turkey.
by Gulustan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Jelican9, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by MrArifnajafov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Balaban/Mey

Date of Inscription

2023