Work on the Immersive Exhibition Script: This week, the Aigine CRC office hosted the first working sessions dedicated to reading and testing the voice delivery of the script for the immersive exhibition on the petroglyphs of Central Asia. This stage helped us experience the text not only as written material, but as a living narrative that should sound clear, engaging, and meaningful for the audience. During the process, the team discussed the strengths and weaker points of the script: where the ideas need to be clearer, where the dramatic flow should be strengthened, and where the transitions between different parts of the story should become smoother and more natural. There is still much work ahead to refine the structure, language, and overall sound of the narrative. The script brings together petroglyphs and related cultural contexts from different countries of Central Asia — Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Through the images of ancient rock art, the exhibition seeks to present petroglyphs not only as historical monuments, but also as signs of memory, knowledge, and the human connection with nature, time, and space. The project is implemented with the support of ALIPH and the European Union.

Visiting Ala-Too University: Recently, Ala-Too International University hosted a major one-day event dedicated to strengthening a culture of scientific research among students. The event focused on inspiring young people to engage in research and showing how even a small idea can grow into a meaningful project with social impact.Most presentations addressed computer engineering, artificial intelligence, nanochips, and the future of modern technologies. Aigine CRC shared its more than twenty years of research experience and emphasized that science does not happen only in laboratories. Research can also take place in villages, on summer pastures, and high in the mountains through listening to local communities, documenting oral histories, memories, and traditional interpretations. Through the examples of sacred sites, petroglyphs, and traditional knowledge, we showed how an ordinary conversation with an elder over tea can eventually become the foundation for a project of national significance. We also spoke about the famous 1000 Komuz Players Ensemble, highlighting that behind this performance stands not only strong organization, but also years of research work, including Nurak Abdrakhmanov’s contribution to the development of the En-Belgi method. Scientific research does not always begin in a large laboratory. Sometimes it begins with curiosity, unusual questions, and the ability to listen to people’s lived experiences. We sincerely thank Ala-Too International University for the invitation and excellent organization of the event!

From Researchers’ Diary: Research on traditional Kyrgyz women’s horse tack used in bride farewell ceremonies is now continuing in the northern regions of Kyrgyzstan. The study aims to explore whether women’s saddles and related elements had regional differences, and what made them distinct. The northern fieldwork began in Bishkek. Young researchers met with Kurmanbek Sartmatov, a craftsman with more than 40 years of experience in making horse tack, and Sonunkan apa from Sokuluk district. Kurmanbek shared his knowledge about silver elements of women’s horse tack, the kömöldürük, and traditional production techniques. Sonunkan apa recalled elechek wrapping, lament songs performed during bride farewells, and the features of women’s saddles. The project is implemented with the support of the Pawanka Fund.