🎶 Final Concert: On November 18, the final concert of the “Koŋur Unduuluk” project was held at the Theater of Musical Drama, marking a vibrant conclusion to the initiative. The event began with a presentation by Cholpon Turumbayeva, who shared the goals and outcomes of the research dedicated to the traditional Koŋur sound. A highlight of the evening was an excerpt from the Manas epic about the Kyrgyz orchestra, performed by the renowned manaschy Doolot Sydykov. The Altyn Nur ensemble presented 10 original compositions on reconstructed instruments, including komuzes and kyl-kyyaks, reviving the traditional Kyrgyz Koŋur sound. The event concluded with a discussion where participants reflected on the preservation of heritage and its role in contemporary culture.

🤓 Work Meeting: This week, we held a working meeting with a group of researchers from Korea, who will soon begin studying the craft sector in Kyrgyzstan. During the discussion, we provided detailed updates on the current stage of developing an online database on crafts and shared our suggestions and ideas for preserving and advancing the craft industry in the country.

📻 Partner Event: Yesterday, our Director and Senior Project Coordinator, Gulnara Aitpaeva and Cholponai UG, participated in the annual reporting meeting of the Association of Local Public Media (ALPM). The meeting presented the results of ALPM’s activities in 2024 and discussed achievements and experiences in implementing projects. The Aigine team shared information about the joint initiative with ALPM, “Asyl Jan”, which was launched earlier this year in the form of live broadcasts to highlight the issue of violence in modern Kyrgyz society. Established in 2013, ALPM unites 4 community radio stations and 23 multimedia centers across the country. These media platforms play an important social role, providing a voice for rural residents—women, youth, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups—to discuss their challenges and seek local solutions.