On February 24, a meeting titled "ART DIALOG 2026" took place in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, aimed at discussing issues related to the preservation of the historical, cultural, and intangible heritage of the country. This event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The meeting was attended by State Secretary Arslan Koychiev, as well as representatives from various government structures, historians, cultural figures, museum and library workers, and representatives from the creative community and media.
Culture Minister Mirbek Mambetaliev highlighted several key issues, including the lack of a unified national strategy and long-term programs, insufficient interregional coordination, and the absence of a centralized management system.
"The situation is alarming due to the decreasing number of bearers of traditions, the aging of masters, and the uncertain legal status. It is important to create a complete register of intangible cultural heritage, conduct an inventory of its elements, and develop a unified digital database. Other highlighted issues include insufficient protection of intellectual property, declining interest in traditional crafts, and the gradual loss of skills in working with various materials such as felt, wool, leather, and natural dyes," the statement noted.Deputy Minister Askaraly Madaminov also spoke about the state of tangible cultural heritage. In his speech, he mentioned problems related to insufficient funding for restoration and conservation work, as well as weak control over illegal excavations and theft of cultural values. Additionally, there is a lack of qualified specialists in the fields of archaeology and restoration, as well as low levels of their salaries.
As a result of the "ART DIALOG 2026" meeting, possible ways to resolve the mentioned problems were discussed, and specific initiatives were proposed to create a sustainable system for the preservation and development of Kyrgyzstan's cultural heritage.
