Articles Azerbaijani Traditional Cuisine – Harvesting the Flavors of the Caucasus Azerbaijani cuisine, shaped at the crossroads of Persian, Turkic, Caucasian, and Russian civilizations, is one of the richest and most diverse culinar... The Tomb Towers of Nakhchivan: 12th-Century Cylindrical and Decagonal Mausoleums In the historic city of Nakhchivan, one of the oldest civilizational centers of the Caucasus, stands a collection of magnificent mausoleums dating bac... Symbolism of Wall Paintings in the Buddhist Caves of Bamiyan A Shared Heritage of Cultural Encounters in the Heart of Central Asia Gandhara Art: A Civilizational Bridge Gandhara Art is an artistic school that flourished in the ancient region of Gandhara (encompassing parts of modern-day eastern Afghanistan and northwe... Pahlevani and Zurkhaneh Rituals; A Union of Sport, Music, and Ethics Zurkhaneh sport, also known as "Ancient Sport," is considered the oldest physical fitness sport in the world, rooted in the martial and military tradi... Hyrcanian Forests; 35-Million-Year-Old Living Fossils The Hyrcanian Forests, located along the southern Caspian Sea, are among the oldest and most valuable forest tracts in the world. Gemstone Cutting and Inlaying Art of Mashhad Mashhad, known as the "Global City of Gemstones," is the unparalleled hub for the art of cutting and setting stones on precious metals in the region. Qasabeh Qanat of Gonabad; The World's Deepest Water Supply The Qasabeh Qanat of Gonabad is a miracle of ancient Iranian engineering in the face of drought. The Lut Desert and Shahdad Kaluts; A Natural Museum The Lut Desert, Iran's first natural site on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is home to phenomena not found with such magnificence anywhere else on Ea... Traditional Lanj Building and Navigation in the Persian Gulf This knowledge, registered on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2011, is more than just a technical skill; it is a narrative of the thou... The Art of Dambura Making and Music The Dambura is one of the most authentic stringed instruments in the musical culture of northern and central Afghanistan (particularly among the Uzbek... The Rock-Cut Site and Murals of Bamiyan The Bamiyan Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, served as a crossroads of civilizations from the 1st to the 9th centuries AD. Bala Hissar of Kabul Bala Hissar of Kabul is an ancient fortress perched atop a hill in the southeast of Kabul, serving as the historical nucleus of the city. Naranj Gul Literary Festival (Nangarhar) The "Naranj Gul" (Orange Blossom) poetry symposium is one of the oldest and most formal literary events in eastern Afghanistan, with a history spannin... Darul Aman Palace (Kabul) Constructed in the early 1920s during the reign of King Amanullah Khan and designed by a team of German engineers led by Walter Harten, Darul Aman Pal... Turkmenistan’s Intangible Heritage: From State Policy to Global Registration Strategy and Identity Symbols Introduction In the last decade, Turkmenistan has presented one of the most cohesive models for intangible heritage policy in Central Asia. Relying o... Turkmenistan Civilizational Continuity in the Desert Climate Introduction: The civilization of Transoxiana, beyond classical historical narratives, is the product of "adaptive intelligence" in the face of a har... Historical–Cultural Analysis of Shared Musical Instruments in the ECO Region In order to examine the musical instruments shared among the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), one must consider the histo... Nowruz in Iran: The Feast of Earth and Time in the Cradle of Civilization Nowruz in Iran is far more than a mere calendar change; it represents the highest manifestation of national culture and the profound connection betwee... Nowruz: From the Myth of Jamshid to the Shared Heritage of Ten ECO Member States (Three Thousand Years of Celebrating Life Across a Civilization) Nowruz, the ancient celebration of the arrival of spring and the New Year, stands ... Turquoise Inlay Art (Firoozeh-Koobi), A Fusion of Creativity and Iranian Tradition Historically, Iran has been renowned for its high-quality turquoise mines, a key factor behind the flourishing of turquoise inlay art and turquoise ex... Ramadan in Tajikistan The holy month of Ramadan in Tajikistan, a country with a Muslim majority and a deep cultural and religious heritage, reflects a unique harmony of tra... Ramadan Customs and Traditions in Kazakhstan The Republic of Kazakhstan is a country with a Muslim majority. In recent decades, the inclination toward fasting among both the youth and the elderly... Hisorak Fortress Hisorak Fortress is an important architectural monument located in northern Tajikistan, in Kuhistoni Mastchoh District of Sughd Region, near the villa... Islamic Art and Architecture in Afghanistan: Afghanistan is one of the key lands in the historical development of Islamic art and architecture. Due to its geographical position as a crossroads of... Ramadan in Afghanistan Ramadan in Afghanistan, like in other Muslim countries, holds special significance, and the people of this country welcome the holy month with unique ... Iranian Gardens: A Reflection of Art and Ancient Heritage The ensemble of Iranian gardens was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011. This listing includes nine prominent gardens from different h... The Ancient Tradition of Nomadic and Tent-Dwelling Life in ECO Member Countries Tent-dwelling, as a lifestyle and traditional residential pattern, represents a shared cultural phenomenon among certain countries in the Economic Coo... Ramadan in Turkmenistan: A Manifestation of Faith, Peace, and Social Solidarity The Holy Month of Ramadan in Turkmenistan is more than just a period of individual worship; it is a profound display of social cohesion, cultural heri... Nowruz in Turkmenistan: A Civilizational Renewal Along the Silk Road In the vast cultural landscape of Central Asia, Nowruz is more than just a calendar transition; it is a "Cultural Manifesto" narrating the unbreakable... Gurug Dance: Traditional Turkmen Ceremony The Gurug Dance is one of the most emblematic traditional practices of the Turkmen people, performed during cultural ceremonies, local festivals, and ... Shorba (Ashkaleh): Traditional Turkmen Soup and a Symbol of Culinary Identity Shorba (Ashkaleh) is one of Turkmenistan’s most significant traditional dishes, valued both nutritionally and culturally. This hearty soup is typicall... The Mugh Mountain Fortress The Mugh Mountain Fortress is located on the left bank of the Zarafshan River in Tajikistan, near the village of Khairabad and 15 km from the city of ... Iranian Gardens: A Reflection of Art and Ancient Heritage he ensemble of Iranian gardens was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011. This listing includes nine prominent gardens from different hi... The Persian Language: The Shared Civilizational Pillar of the ECO Region The Persian language is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with more than 2,500 years of continuous written and cultural history. Tourism in Turkmenistan: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Central Asia Turkmenistan, a land of the vast Karakum Desert, modern cities like Ashgabat and Arkadag, and the radiant legacy of the Silk Road, remains one of Cent... Bagshy Music and Turkmen Storytelling: A Vibrant Symbol of Nomadic Culture Bagshy music and Turkmen storytelling reflect the rich heritage of Turkmenistan’s nomadic life and form an integral part of Central Asia’s cultural id... Wedding Traditions in Turkmenistan: Attire, Customs, and Family Relations Marriage in Turkmen culture is not merely a union between two individuals but a bond between families and, at times, entire tribes. This event serves ... Turkmen jewelry Traditions: A Treasure of Art and Identity Turkmen traditional jewelry, with its masterful silverwork and intricate designs, embodies the nomadic art and cultural identity of Turkmenistan. From... Silk Roads: Turkmenistan’s Archaeological Crossroad For centuries, the Silk Roads linked East and West through trade, diplomacy, and cultural encounters. Between the 2nd century BCE and the 15th century... Turkmen Carpets: Weaving Heritage, Uniting Cultures Turkmen carpets, known as haly or kilim, are vibrant symbols of Turkmenistan’s cultural identity, weaving together intricate geometric patterns, vivid... The Nomadic Life of the Turkmen: A Living Legacy of Culture and Tradition The nomadic life of the Turkmen, deeply rooted in Central Asian history, forms an integral part of Turkmenistan’s cultural identity. The Turkmen, prim... Nowruz in Turkmenistan: A Celebration with Shared Regional Roots Among the vibrant cultural celebrations of Turkmenistan, Nowruz stands out as a timeless symbol of renewal and the start of the new year. Inscribed on... The Borderless Language of the Soul: Mystical Music in Iran and the ECO Member States and Its Role in Cultural Dialogue Mystical music is a form of spiritual music that emerges with the aim of inner journeying, drawing closer to God, and experiencing spiritual states su... Korkut Ata: Kazakhstan’s Eternal Epic and a Shared Global Heritage In the ancient Turkic traditions, particularly within the authentic beliefs of the people of Kazakhstan, "Korkut Ata" is more than just a mythological... Archaeological Heritage of Iran and ECO Member Countries The most important historical and archaeological site in Iran is "Shahr-e Sukhteh (Burnt City) in Sistan and Baluchistan, which dates back to the 3rd ... The Secrets of Arts and Crafts Across Pakistan’s Provinces Pakistan, with its rich history and cultural diversity, is home to unparalleled arts and crafts. Each province tells a story through its artistic crea... The Caspian Sea, A Platform for Cultural Exchanges Among ECO Member States The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water in the world, geographically located between Europe and Asia. Legally, it is considered neither ... The Art of Marquetry (Moarraq) in Iran The art of marquetry (moarraq) is one of the most prominent and delicate traditional arts of Iran, with deep roots in Iranian culture, architecture, a... Qawwali: The Link Between Music, Mysticism, and Culture in Pakistan Qawwali music is undoubtedly one of the most prominent cultural symbols of Pakistan and is performed at festivals as well as religious and cultural ce... Introduction to the City of Mohenjo-daro in Pakistan, the Cradle of a Mysterious Civilization Mohenjo-daro is one of the most important and astonishing ancient cities in the world, located in present-day southern Pakistan, in Sindh Province, ne... Nowruz, Haftseen, and Cultural Solidarity Among the Nations of the ECO Region Haftseen is an arrangement and a table consisting of seven symbolic elements representing different aspects of life and well-being, whose names begin ... The History of Nowruz in Iran and ECO Member Countries Since 3000 BCE, two major festivals were celebrated in Central and Western Asia: The Festival of Creation in early autumn and the Resurrection Festiva... International Culinary Championship: A Global Stage for Gastronomic Excellence The International Culinary Championship is one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of chefs, bringing together culinary talents from across con... Pushtab Castle: A Fortress Floating on the Skies of Arasbaran If you are looking for a place where you can not only touch history but also conquer an altitude generally reserved for eagles, your destination is Pu... Prominent Artists with Disabilities from the ECO Region's Cultural Sphere On the Occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities The area covered by the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), with its deep-... Santur, a Traditional Iranian Instrument, and Its Spread in the ECO Region Based on studies and research, the Santur is considered one of the oldest instruments of the Iran's cultural sphere. The earliest evidence of this ins... National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan In 1940, the base of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR was transformed into a branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR in Tajikistan, which inc... Polo (Chogan) in ECO Member Countries Today, more than 77 countries hold polo competitions and special programs. Polo was also among the sports played in the Olympic Games from 1900 to 193... Turkmen Gol Motifs: The Geometric Language of Identity and Meaning Abstract Gol motifs in Turkmen art go far beyond carpet decoration; they embody symbolic, historical, and social meanings. These geometric and symmet... The Art of Weaving the Persian Handwoven Carpet The art of carpet weaving and the production of hand-woven Persian carpets date back to the earliest periods of Iranian art and culture. The worldwide... Hisar Castle Hisar Castle — is a historical and cultural monument in the Hisar district. Turkmen Ceremonial Clothing: A Symbol of Identity and Cultural Heritage Introduction The ceremonial clothing of Turkmenistan is considered one of the most prominent manifestations of the country's cultural heritage. These... Yaseh Chah Historical Village: A Scientific and News Report Yaseh Chah (Yaseh Chay), a village with an estimated history of nearly 400 years and a remarkable architectural structure, is recognized as a prominen... Registan Square, Samarkand: Pinnacle of Architecture and Knowledge Transfer in the Timurid Era Registan Square, located in the historic city of Samarkand, is one of the most distinguished cultural heritage sites in Central Asia. This magnificent... Meymand, the Oldest Village in Iran The village of Meymand, with a history spanning 8,000 to 12,000 years, is located 38 kilometers northeast of Shahr-e Babak, at an elevation of 2,240 m... The Art of Calligraphy and the Expansion of Nasta‘liq Script among ECO Member States Calligraphy, or the art of beautiful writing, refers to the practice of inscribing texts in accordance with aesthetic principles and stylistic rules. ... Tajik State College of Arts named after Mirza Tursunzoda The Tajik State College of Culture and Arts named after Mirza Tursunzoda is one of the higher professional educational institutions of Tajikistan. 🇮🇷 Iran: Land of Seven Wonders, Millennia of Coexistence, and Magnetic Cultural Power 🌟 Introduction: Iran, A Masterpiece of History, Civilization, and Coexistence Iran, a land whose geographical borders are intertwined with the depth ... Shashmaqam: A Masterpiece of Central Asian Classical Music with Persian Roots Shashmaqam (Shashmaqam) is one of the richest and most complex traditions of classical music in Asia, with its main origin in the historic cities of B... The Akhal-Teke Horse in Turkmen Folk Beliefs A Symbol of Nobility, Myth, and National Identity Introduction The Akhal-Teke horse, an ancient and unique breed, stands not only as the national symbol of Turkmenistan, but also as a sacred being wi... Uzeyir Hajibeyov: The Father of Azerbaijani Classical Music Introduction Uzeyir Abdulhuseyn oghlu Hajibeyov (1885–1948) is one of the most distinguished cultural figures of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the f... From Tabaristan to Mazandaran: The Embodiment of History and Culture in Mazandaran National Day The 14th of Aban (November 5th) is officially designated as "Mazandaran National Day" in the Iranian calendar. This date commemorates a significant hi... Ancient Rituals and Ceremonies in the Village of Uraman Takht, Kurdistan Province The village of Uraman Takht, located in Kurdistan Province in the heart of the Zagros Mountains, lies in the southwest of Sarvabad County. Owing to it... Cultural Diplomacy and Civilizational Convergence in the ECO Region: The Pivotal Role of the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) and Student Capital Ai-Khanum: The Greek City in Northeastern Afghanistan In 1961, King Mohammad Zahir Shah of Afghanistan discovered the remains of an ancient settlement during a hunting trip in Takhar Province. Three years... Tajik Women Poets- Muazzamkhan Khujandi Muazzamkhan Khujandi, the elder sister of Muattarkhan and the daughter of Mirsaid and Qambarkhan Khujandi, was born in 1833 in the city of Khujand. Women of Speech - Qambarkhan Khujandi Qambarkhan Khujandi was one of the women of speech of Khujand, who lived in the 19th century. Historians have recorded her birth year as 1225 AH in th... Тajik Women Speakers – Gulchehreh Suleimani Gulchehreh Suleimani (1928-2003) is a Tajik poet and the daughter of Peyrav Suleimani (1899-1933). She graduated from the Bukhara Pedagogical Universi... The Shrine of Chek Chek (Pir-e Sabz): The Thumping Heart of Legends in the Yazd Desert Summary: Chek Chek stands as a living museum of ancient Iranian beliefs and mythologies, where every drop of water narrates the poignant tale of a Sas... Sulayman-Too Sacred Mountain: Kyrgyzstan’s Sole Cultural World Heritage Site Sulayman-Too Sacred Mountain, located in the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan, is the country’s only cultural property inscribed on the UNESCO World... Higher Education and Literacy in Turkmenistan: A Structural Overview As a member of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Turkmenistan maintains a centralized and state-governed education system emphasizing acces... Damavand: The Mountain of Ancient Myths and Mysteries Damavand, located in northern Iran, is the highest peak in the country and the twelfth most prominent summit in the world. It is also the highest volc... The Mythical Bird of Kazakhstan, Immortalized in the Bayterek Tower The legend of the Samruk bird and the Tree of Life has deep roots in the mythology of Central Asia, particularly among Turkic peoples, and outlines a ... Shewa Lake, The Hidden Jewel of Badakhshan, Afghanistan Shewa Lake, nestled in the heart of the majestic Pamir Mountains in northeastern Afghanistan, stands as one of the country’s most beautiful yet least-... Customs and Traditions of the People of Qeshm Island Customs and Traditions of the People of Qeshm Island — The Island in the Heart of the Persian Gulf Qeshm Island, located in Hormozgan Province, has ... From "Saêna Murghu" to "Si-Murgh" From "Saêna Murghu" to "Si-Murgh": Simurgh, the Archetype of Absolute Wisdom and Civilizational Mentor in Iranian Heritage Mirsaid Mirshakar, Tajik poet and playwright Mirsaid Mirshakar (1912–1993) was a Tajik poet and playwright, People’s Poet of Tajikistan (1962), and a laureate of the State Prize of Tajikistan nam... National Museum of Tajikistan The National Museum of Tajikistan, also known as the (Asarkhane Millii Tajikistan), was established in 2011 on an area of 24,000 square meters. Rain-Seeking Rituals in Iran Iran, situated predominantly within the arid and semi-arid geographical belt, has historically confronted the persistent threat of Drought. This chall... Architecture, An Ancient Art in Iran Architecture is one of the most creative arts and an important part of every nation’s identity. Through architectural works, a collection of deep and ... Saffron: The Golden Legacy of the Iranian Plateau Saffron (Crocus sativus) is far more than an agricultural product; it is a symbol of Iran’s historical, cultural, and spiritual identity. Originating ... Ancient and Common Artistic Pottery in the ECO Region Pottery is an ancient art that is considered one of the most important artistic manifestations by historians. Pottery has undergone many changes throu... Siah-Chador: Iran's Nomadic Sustainable Architecture The Siah-Chador, locally known as "Dovār," is more than a simple shelter; it is a living symbol of the sustainability, climatic intelligence, and mill... The Largest and Most Reputable Libraries in Iran An Overview of the Country’s Main Centers for Knowledge, Research, and Written Heritage Traditional Knowledge and Skills in Yurt-Making The yurt—a circular, portable dwelling—is a hallmark of nomadic life across Central Asia. In Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, the craftsmanship of yurt-maki... Kok-Boru: Traditional Horseback Game of Kyrgyzstan Kok-Boru, also known as Ulak Tartysh, is one of the most dynamic and culturally significant equestrian games in Central Asia. It was officially inscri... Craftsmanship of the Ak-Kalpak: Kyrgyzstan’s Intangible Heritage The Ak-Kalpak is a traditional white felt hat worn by Kyrgyz men. Its name derives from the Kyrgyz words “ak” (white) and “kalpak” (hat). The craftsma... Uzbekistan Named Best Cultural Tourism Destination of 2025 At the Global Tourism Forum 2025, held from 18 to 20 October 2025 in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, Uzbekistan was officially awarded the title of “Be... Itchan Kala: The Historic Heart of Khiva Itchan Kala, the walled inner city of Khiva in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan, stands as one of the most intact examples of Persian–Islamic architec...