🖌️ Research on Crafts in the Regions: This week marked the beginning of fieldwork for creating a database of traditional crafts. In the Batken region, researchers Mirlan Zholdoshbaev and Ruslan Zhunusov are studying local artisanal traditions, while in the Ak-Suu and Jeti-Oguz districts of Issyk-Kul region, Aybek Duishonkulov has met with craftsmen and conducted initial interviews. The creation of this database not only preserves knowledge about traditional crafts but also provides artisans with new opportunities to participate in cultural initiatives and educational projects. We extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Commission for UNESCO, and the local communities of Batken and Issyk-Kul regions for their support and cooperation. The project is implemented with the support of the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (ICHCAP) under UNESCO as part of a four-year program aimed at developing traditional crafts and strengthening the tourism industry in the Kyrgyz Republic.

🎬 The “Duldul Bulak” Project and Digitalization of Historical Newspapers: Under the guidance of Asel Kitaeva, young artists have started working on an illustrated storyboard for the animated film Duldul Bulak. The film will combine animation and live-action footage to tell the story of sacred sites, their history, and their significance. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to digitize and transliterate the first issues of the Erkin Too newspaper (1925–1927). Once completed, the digitized editions will be available on the Aigine website. This project, supported by the Pawanaka Fund, is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kyrgyz statehood.