HISTORICAL ARCHIVE · Original report: 2021-12-15
UNESCO included Arabic calligraphy among the traditions added to its intangible heritage list in 2021. The practice shapes Arabic script into expressive visual forms and has a long history in religious, literary, architectural and artistic settings.
Craft knowledge includes control of the reed pen, preparation of inks and arrangement of letters into balanced compositions. Arabic calligraphy is transmitted through teaching, apprenticeship and practice across several countries. Although strongly associated with Islamic art, its uses also extend beyond religious texts into contemporary public art and design.
Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is an original, source-attributed summary of the historical report, not a copy of the source article.
Added to The World Dispatch on October 12, 2026. The event and original reporting date are historical.