The Armenian epic “Daredevils of Sassoun” was today inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting was held at UNESCO Headquarters.

Performance of the Armenian epic of ‘Daredevils of Sassoun’ or ‘David of Sassoun’
Armenia — The traditional Armenia epic Daredevils of Sassoun recounts the story of David of Sassoun, a defiant youth who defended his homeland in an unequal duel against the evil. This heroic epic is recounted and sung in sections in a lyrical voice with rhythmic enunciation. It is performed, usually sitting, to the musical accompaniment of a duduk during weddings, birthdays, christenings and major national cultural events. There are 160 variants and performances may last up to two hours.
Source: UNESCO
Reblogged this on Notes of a Spurkahye and commented:
One of the few ancient legends that have survived both inner and outer destructive forces!
[…] is a mythical king from an ancient pagan Armenian folk epic of the “Daredevils of Sassoun“, who slew a lion with his bare hands earning the title of “lion-like”. Lion […]