On February 24 in Bishkek, a forum titled "ART DIALOG 2026" took place, focusing on the issues of preserving historical, cultural, and intangible heritage. This information was provided by the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The event was attended by State Secretary Arslan Koichiev and gathered representatives from various government structures, cultural figures, historians, art critics, as well as museum and library staff and members of the creative community.
Culture Minister Mirbek Mambetaliev highlighted several key issues, including the lack of a unified national strategy and long-term programs, insufficient coordination between regions, and the absence of centralized management.
"There is concern about the decreasing number of bearers of traditions, the aging of masters, and the uncertainty of their legal status. The necessity of creating a complete registry of intangible cultural heritage, inventorying its elements, and forming a unified digital database is emphasized. Other issues mentioned include insufficient protection of intellectual property, declining interest in traditional crafts, and the gradual loss of skills in working with felt, chiy, wool, leather, wood, and natural dyes," the statement said.Deputy Minister Askaraly Madaminov discussed the state of tangible cultural heritage. According to the agency, there are many problems, such as insufficient funding for repairs, restoration, and conservation, issues with monitoring illegal excavations, thefts, and the export of cultural values. Additionally, there is a lack of qualified specialists in archaeology, restoration, architecture, and conservation, accompanied by low salary levels.
The ministry emphasized that within the framework of "ART DIALOG 2026," possible measures to address these issues were discussed, and specific initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable system for preserving and developing the country's cultural heritage were proposed.
