💭 Meeting with the writer Ryspek Kachkeev (“Ayan – Signs Around Us”):
On February 26, a meeting with the writer Ryspek Kachkeev took place at the office of the Aigine Cultural Research Center, organized by our partner Temirbek Toktogaziev. Ryspek Omoyevich shared his personal journey and talked about how he became involved in the world of ayan. According to him, ayan are signs that surround us everywhere, yet not everyone is capable of noticing them.

👩🏻‍💻 Working meeting on the development of a digital database of Kyrgyzstan’s traditional crafts:
On February 25, a working meeting with the ICHCAP team (International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO) was held at the office of the Aigine Cultural Research Center. The participants discussed key project stages, practical issues, and challenges arising in the process of creating a database on traditional crafts in Kyrgyzstan. Particular attention was given to the formation of database metadata, an essential step for systematizing and facilitating the search for information on traditional crafts. The craft database project is part of a four-year Official Development Assistance (ODA) program by the Republic of Korea aimed at supporting Kyrgyzstan’s cultural tourism industry and traditional craftsmanship.

🏆 Celebration of Craft and Cultural Tourism:
This week, an awards ceremony honoring Kyrgyzstan’s artisans who participated in a competition to create cultural tourism products was held at the Park Hotel. The competition is part of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) state-funded project by the Republic of Korea aimed at supporting Kyrgyzstan’s cultural tourism industry and traditional craftsmanship. As part of the program, Kyrgyz artisans completed a unique three-month training course in South Korea, during which they visited traditional Korean craft centers and gained valuable hands-on experience in producing world-class craft products.