Al Ain: Falconry is an ancient hunting art that was placed on the United Nations' Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (Unesco) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last year.
The achievement was a result of the active efforts of many countries, including the UAE, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Syria. These countries gathered, prepared, and submitted a collection of documents, films, images and literature to support the case.
Unesco recognition is expected support the efforts being undertaken by falconers and develop a solid base for protecting and raising awareness of this ancient sport.
The Unesco acknowledged in its report that "Fathers have been passing down skills to their children for nearly 200 generations in a chain of intangible heritage, bringing this art to us, the 21st century." The bird has been trusted companion of Bedouins for centuries.
