Even as Ashiqs represent the consciousness of a people, they also help to promote cultural exchange and dialogue: Kurds, Lezhins, Talishes, Tats and other ethnic groups living in the country often perform the Ashiqs' art, and their poems and songs have spread across the region.

UNESCO: Culture

Ritual praise songs and poems are dedicated to the contestants in the events.

UNESCO: Culture

Initially, it was poems and songs, and then it kind of became the spoken word through hip-hop.

NPR: Queen Latifah on New HBO Movie 'Life Support'

The rich repertoire of songs and scores preserves ancient folk music and poems and has influenced opera, puppet theatre and other performing art traditions.

UNESCO: Culture

Odes, poems, songs and several lawsuits have been written about mothers through the ages.

NPR: Annoying Mother's Day Music

In the decades since she disappeared, her life story has spawned movies, scores of books, poems and popular songs even a Star Trek episode.

WSJ: Sonar Image Renews Hope of Locating Earhart Plane