Preparation for the Presentation: As part of a partnership project with the Public Foundation “Arysh-Kench,” the Aigine Cultural Research Center is preparing to present the translation of a book by a long-time partner, cultural practitioner, and founder of the World Indigenous Science Network (WISN), Apela Colorado. Her book “Woman Between Worlds” is dedicated to her spiritual journey through the exploration of her indigenous cultural roots. The book presentation is planned for the end of September.

Forum Activities: As part of the work of the International NGO Forum on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), where the Aigine Cultural Research Center is represented on the Executive Committee from the Asia-Pacific region, preparations are underway for an international symposium of Forum members. This symposium takes place during the annual meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Forum members will have the opportunity to share their experiences on collaborative efforts with communities and cultural bearers to safeguard ICH. The Executive Committee members are also working on updating the Forum’s website and preparing the quarterly newsletter.

Local Knowledge about the Stars: As part of Aigine’s “Baldar Asmany” (Children’s Sky) project, a working group, in collaboration with a team of young artists and animators led by Asel Kitaeva, has completed the storyboard phase for an upcoming video lesson. This lesson will introduce viewers to traditional understandings of the movement of celestial bodies and the arrangement of stars, passed down through generations. In addition to the video lesson, the project also includes the creation of a children’s book with vivid illustrations. This book will collect folk legends about stars and celestial spheres gathered by “Jyldyz Sanak” initiative group member and senior astronomy lecturer Abakir Kalybekov. This project will help transmit traditional knowledge systems to younger generations through modern multimedia platforms.

Indigenous Kyrgyzstan: The Aigine Cultural Research Center is working on the “Indigenous Kyrgyzstan” component, aimed at restoring and preserving the original names of villages, mountains, rivers, glaciers, and other natural landmarks in Kyrgyzstan. To date, materials have been collected from the National Library named after A. Osmonov, and digitized maps of Kyrgyzstan have been obtained from the personal archive of Abakir Kalybekov, an astronomer and senior lecturer at J. Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University. Additionally, oral testimonies are being gathered from residents of the Kara-Kulja district, who share legends about the origins of various place names. Tölönbayev Janbolot is actively involved in the search and collection of these materials.