🌀 Ongoing Work on the Traditional Crafts Database: Active efforts continue to establish a comprehensive database of traditional Kyrgyz crafts. Researchers Mirlan Zholdoshev and Ruslan Junusov are currently finalizing fieldwork in Batken region, where they have conducted meetings and interviews with local artisans and craftsmen. Soon, the Aigine Cultural Research Center team, together with field researchers, will begin analyzing and structuring the collected data. The Kyrgyz-language terminology for the “Traditional Crafts” domain of the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage will be developed and approved, followed by translation of the materials into Russian and English. This initiative is supported by UNESCO ICHCAP and the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program of the Republic of Korea.

🎬 “Duldul Bulak” Project and Digitization of Historical Newspapers: Young artists, led by Assel Kitaeva, have started creating an illustrated storyboard for the animated film “Duldul Bulak.” The film will creatively blend animation with live-action footage, exploring the history and cultural significance of sacred sites in Kyrgyzstan. Simultaneously, active digitization and transliteration work continues on the early issues of the historical newspaper “Erkin Too” (1925–1927). Upon completion, all materials will be accessible on the Aigine website. This project has been made possible with support from the Pavanka Foundation and is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kyrgyz statehood.