Development of cultural and creative industries discussed in Kyrgyzstan

After welcoming remarks by Sabira Soltongeldieva, Executive Secretary of the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO, two studies supported by UNESCO Almaty in 2020-2021 were presented.

Daniyar Amanaliev, co-founder of the "ololo Group" network of co-working and art studios, presented a general study on the state of cultural and creative industries in Kyrgyzstan, while Erke Dzhumakmatova, director and founder of the "OYMO" studio, presented a more specific report on the state of affairs in the film industry and relevant legislation in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Presentation of Daniyar Amanaliev ©National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO

Presentation of Erke Dzhumakmatova ©National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO

In the second part of the round table, participants heard the presentation by Sabira Soltongeldieva on the potential of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions to develop cultural and creative industries at the national level.

Presentation of Sabira Soltongeldieva ©National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO

The round table also discussed the linkage and contribution of the craft sector to the development of the creative economy. Expectations were expressed that the Kyrgyz Republic would soon ratify the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which would have a positive impact on the activities of the creative industries. Participants also thanked the UNESCO Almaty Cluster Office for supporting the research on the film industry by highlighting that this was the first such study conducted in many years.

So far, the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions has been ratified by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, but has not yet been ratified by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.