Report on the status of an element inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding

A. Cover sheet

A.1.

State Party

Name of State Party

A.2.

Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

This information is available online.

Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

2006-11-06

A.3.

Element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List that is the subject of this report

Name of element

Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak, art of Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets

Inscribed in

2012

A.4.

Reporting period covered by this report

Please indicate the period covered by this report.

Reporting period covered by this report

05-12-2012 - 15-12-2017

A.5.

Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any

Please list all other elements from your country inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, together with the year of inscription; for multinational elements, please indicate the other States concerned.

A.6.

Executive summary of the report

Please provide an executive summary of the report that will allow general readers to understand the current status of the element, any positive or negative impacts of inscription, the implementation of safeguarding measures during the reporting period and their possible update for the following years.

Executive summary of the report

Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak - art of Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets manufacturing is one of the most outstanding arts of the Kyrgyz people and an integral part of their cultural heritage. The knowledge, skills, diversity and ornament semantics, as well as carpets creation ceremony are important components of the culture ensuring Kyrgyz people's sense of identity and continuity. Kyrgyz felt carpets manufacturing is an integral part of the nomads' everyday life that have been used for house warming and decoration.
Shyrdak is one of the most complicated felt products in terms of technology. "Shyrdak" comes from the word "shyryk", which means stitching - this is one of the main processes in this carpet manufacturing, which makes it solid and durable. Ala-kiyiz is manufactured using imbedding technique and compared to Shyrdak, it is easier to manufacture. It is used mostly for everyday life, rather than for decoration. Shyrdaks are deemed as more durable than Ala-kiyiz. The average life of Ala-kiyiz is approximately 20 years, while Shyrdak can be kept for up to a hundred years.
Traditional knowledge and skills of felt carpets making transmitted from older to younger generation through joint practical work. However, the number of practitioners was gradually reducing, most of whom are above 40 years old, because of the insufficient state protection, lack of interest among younger generation, prevalence of inexpensive synthetic carpets and its poor quality and etc. Therefore, inscription of the art of Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets on the USL was extremely important for the revival and safeguarding of the Kyrgyz traditional felt culture.
Inscription of Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz on the USL has positively resonated in the minds and hearts of all Kyrgyzstani citizens and was a powerful impetus for a more active handicraft movement in all regions of the country.
The following changes were entailed by inscription of this element on the USL:
• Traditional felt carpets are now perceived by the local population not only as a 'product' of the past nomad life, but also as an important cultural heritage and national symbol;
• The young generation started to be interested in manufacturing felt carpets, mastering secrets of craftmanship, thereby, increasing the number of practicioners and followers of this tradition;
• Awareness about the art of traditional felt carpets among other ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan has increased, as well as among youth;
• Demand for felt carpets has increased both in local and export markets. Accordingly, the incomes, living standards and status of craftsmen - felt carpets makers have increased as well;
• The Government and local authorities now allocate more funds for promotion and safeguarding of the element.
Measures aimed to safeguard this element undertaken during the reporting period:
• To improve the current normative legal acts and other documents related to intangible cultural heritage;
• To create the Craft Council of the KR including the bearers and practitioners of this element;
- To open community-based training and practicing centers for felt carpets making in all regions of the country;
• To conduct training sessions on various Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz traditional manufacturing techniques, as well as festivals, contests and master classes;
• To conduct field research for element inventorization;
• To conduct a research on traditional technologies of the Kyrgyz sheep rough wool processing and training in these technologies;
• To promote the element at the international level through participation in international exhibitions and fairs.

A.7.

Contact person for correspondence

Provide the name, address and other contact information of the person responsible for correspondence concerning the report.

Title (Ms/Mr, etc.)

Ms

Family name

Chochunbaeva

Given name

Dinara

Institution/position

Director, Central Asian Crafts Support Association's Resource Centre in Kyrgyzstan (CACSARC-kg)

Address

162A, Manaschi Sagynbai Street
Bishkek

Telephone number

+ (996 312) 62 41 80 / 62 03 85

E-mail address

dinara.chochun@gmail.com

Other relevant information

B

Ms

B. Status of element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List

Refer to the nomination file or to previous reports, if any, as the basis for reporting on the current status of the element, and report only on relevant changes since the date of inscription on the List or since the previous report. Nomination files, specific timetables and earlier reports, if any, are available at https://ich.unesco.org or from the Secretariat, upon request.

The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall endeavour to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report, and is asked to describe how it has done so in point D below.

B.1.

Social and cultural functions

Please explain the social and cultural functions and meanings of the element today, within and for its community, the characteristics of the bearers and practitioners, and any specific roles or categories of persons with special responsibilities towards the element, among others. Attention should be given to any relevant changes related to inscription criterion U.1 (‘the element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention’).

Social and cultural functions

Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz felt carpets are the important part of the Kyrgyz traditional culture. Up to now, joint creation of felt carpets by skilled craftsmen, young women and girls, men and boys is continuously an important socializing factor. Traditional felt processing knowledge and skills, the variety and meaning of patterns on felt carpets, as well as ways of knowledge transmitting from the older generation to young people ensure sense of identity and continuity among the element bearers’ and practitioners’, as well as the entire Kyrgyz people.
Fashion for synthetic carpets in modern Kyrgyz society has been declining and interest in environmentally friendly and traditional felt carpets is reviving again. They are used for warming and decorating the interiors of houses, flats and hotels. The tradition of preserving old felt carpets as a family relic, memory of the mothers and inclusion into the set of traditional bride's dowry is reviving again.
The modern way of transmitting Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak felt carpets manufacturing knowledge and skills from the older to the younger generation remained traditional: young people master all stages of production during joint practical work with experienced craftsmen.
Bearers and practicioners of the traditional knowledge of Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak are usually women above 40 years old from rural areas, though, in recent years some craftsmen emerged in urban areas as well. Usually, the young generation were children's of craftsmen, but in recent years young people, whose families do not relate to this sphere, increasingly showing their interest as well. Training sessions, seminars and master-classes organized by various NGOs and communities encourage interest in tradition of creating felt carpets among young people.
Special attention should be paid to the bearers knowledge, who create patterns for felt carpets, memorizing their wide varieties. Sometimes, men also act as bearers and practitioners.
It should be noted that men and boys also participate in the process of felt carpets manufacturing: performing hard physical work such as shearing, firewood harvesting, felt pressing, and selling felt carpets in the markets.
Felt products manufacturing, including carpets, is the main type of craftsmanship in Kyrgyzstan. Nowadays, traditional felt carpets are made by craftsmen in all seven regions of Kyrgyzstan. But the main bearers and practitioners of the element are concentrated in Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions.
Community-based craftsmen and supportive NGOs led by the Craft Council of Kyrgyzstan are major stakeholders interested in maintaining felt carpets manufacturing knowledge and skills and who bear specific responsibility for this element

B.2.

Assessment of its viability and current risks

Please describe the current level of viability of the element, particularly the frequency and extent of its practice, the strength of traditional modes of transmission, the demographics of practitioners and audiences and its sustainability. Please also identify and describe the threats, if any, to the element's continued transmission and enactment and describe the severity and immediacy of such threats, giving particular attention to any strengthening or weakening of the element’s viability subsequent to inscription.

Assessment of its viability and current risks

Following the inscription of the felt carpet art on the USL and intensifying efforts to safeguard this heritage, viability of this element has been greatly improved. Awareness of the art of traditional felt carpets among the population, especially, young people, has increased. Currently, young generation tend to be increasingly interested in felt carpets manufacturing, thus, increasing the number of practitioners of this tradition. In addition to the knowledge transmitting within families from one generation to another, training takes place through the creation of training and practicing centers that provide wider access to this type of traditional craftsmanship.
In addition, demand for felt carpets in local and export markets has increased, thus, contributing to incomes, living standards, and the status of felt carpets makers.
The Government and local authorities now allocate more funds for activities aimed to promote and safeguard felt carpets.
Traditional felt carpets are currently made by craftsmen in all seven regions in Kyrgyzstan, but the main bearers and practitioners of the element are concentrated in Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions. According to the latest database, there were 2,350 element bearers and practitioners throughout the country as of June 2017.
The current age of felt carpets manufacturers is 30-70 years old, which is on average 10 years younger than before element inscription on the USL. Traditional ways of transmitting felt carpets creation knowledge and skills have extended from family to the community. This is due to the fact that rural craftsmen are now engaged in felt carpets making in community-based groups. Thus, knowledge is transmitted and acquired while working in groups uniting 2-3 generations from several families.
However, the element still faces certain threats and risks:
1. Viability:
Viability of two different types of felt carpets is currently different. During the reporting period, Shyrdak gradually was taking its place in modern everyday life.
In contrast, traditional felt carpet Ala-kiyiz is not as popular as Shyrdak and is rarely produced. Technologically, Ala-kiyiz is much less labor-intensive than Shyrdak. At the same time, although aesthetically this element meets all market requirements, it is less solid when used as a floor carpet, so it is not in great demand.
Some craft organizations, such as “Kiyiz Duino”, “Altyn Oymok” and “Felt Art Studio” hold special activities: exhibitions, contests, master classes aimed to draw public attention to this problem and Ala-kiyiz revival as a traditional floor carpet. Nevertheless, pattern imbedding technique, which is typical for Ala-kiyiz traditional felt carpet, is widely used today by craftsmen when manufacturing a wide range of felt products, from clothing to toys. So, current realities contribute to this element transformation into other forms.
2. The lack of the state craftsmanship strategy:
Representatives of the younger generation of craftsmen have currently no privileges and support at the state level: subsidies, grants, loans, government orders, preferential taxation, permanent, well-advertised and centrally organized shops for selling traditional carpets, which would ensure quality, continuity and help to safeguard the element.
In addition, the Government does not respond to craftsmanship associations’ demand for the protection of local producers of natural felt (for example, by increasing taxes on traders importing synthetic felts and carpets that imitate traditional felt carpets).
3. Over commercialization of the Kyrgyz felt carpets
Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets entered the international market: in 2015, a store "Shyrdak Avenue" was opened in Zurich selling felt carpets and souvenirs. Shyrdak is also being sold in the prestigious salon L'Aviva Home in New York. This gives bearers and practicioners a new impetus to continue their tradition.
In this context, dual role of the private business should be mentioned, which on the one hand contributes to the element stability and growth of the bearers and practicioners welfare, and on the other, threat of over commercialization of the element. Some felt carpet makers striving for profit, use cheap synthetic factory- ready-made felt instead of the local expensive natural hand-made felt, this significantly reduces the cost, but damages felt carpets quality and image.
Traditional Kyrgyz natural felt carpets have the following qualities: they protect from cold and keep heat, thus protecting people from cold. Natural felt is nice to touch and safe for children.

B.3.

Implementation of safeguarding measures

Please report on the safeguarding measures described in the nomination file, and previous report, if any. Describe how they have been implemented and how they have substantially contributed to the safeguarding of the element during the reporting period, taking note of external or internal constraints such as limited resources. Include, in particular, information on the measures taken to ensure the viability of the element by enabling the community to continue to practise and transmit it. Include the following detailed information concerning the implementation of the set of safeguarding measures or safeguarding plan:

B.3.a.

Objectives and results

Indicate what primary objective(s) were addressed and what concrete results were attained during the reporting period.

Objectives and results

Main goal is to safeguard and ensure sustainable development of the Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets.
The following primary objectives were specified in the nomination:
1. To strengthen the existing legal instruments in the craft sector:
A number of activities aimed to improve the existing state regulations and other documents related to intangible cultural heritage were implemented during the reporting period to fulfill assumed obligations;
2. To elaborate the state strategy on safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage:
Development and adoption of the National Program for the Safeguarding, Research and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage;
3. To create training and practicing centers for the element knowledge transmission to the next generations:
Recently, in Kyrgyzstan was created association of craftsmen and were opened the traning and practicing centers in all regions of the country. They play an important role in enhancing the element sustainability, safeguarding and transmitting the knowledge to the young generation. Various international and national organizations and business communities support the production of felt carpets in rural areas of Kyrgyzstan through funding training projects. The number of craftsmen is steadily growing throughout the country and is currently 2,350 people.
The Government also encourages felt carpet makers. There were 7 masters of felt carpets who received State Awards in 2016 - for the first time in the history of Kyrgyzstan.
4. To improve the quality of wool;
Field surveys were conducted to identify bearers and practitioners of the traditional rough and fatty wool processing technology and training sessions on traditional technological cycle of wool treatment and processing. Currently, wool database creation is under elaboration and preparation of methodical manual on the technologies for rough and fatty wool treatment and its processing into felt products is being completed.
In addition, to improve the quality of wool of the local sheep breeds used by craftsmen as raw materials for the production of traditional felt carpets, research on insemination and improvement of local sheep breeds is being conducted. As well as, the "Program for Agricultural Development in the KR for 2017-2020" aimed to support rural handicraft activities to obtain high-quality wool varieties.
5. To document, safeguard and promote the knowledge and skills related to the production of traditional felt carpets;
To identify and systematize various types of traditional techniques for felt carpets manufacturing, the Ministry of Culture, the National Academy and craftsmen conducted field surveys which resulted in the creation of the craftsmen database and included additional information concerning the element to the National List of ICH.
After inscription, traditional Kyrgyz carpets became more widely known to the public both in Kyrgyzstan and abroad. Nowadays, there is more information on traditional felt carpets and knowledge bearers and practicioners in the national mass media (newspapers, Internet sites and on TV). Various festivals, master classes, and etc. were conducted. For example, the National Museum has replenished its collections of traditional felt carpets with 20 new exhibits as a result of the contest at the Felt Carpets Festival.
6. To develop local and international markets for the Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets.
Demand for felt carpets (mainly for Shyrdak) significantly increased in the local and international markets during the reporting period and is steadily growing. Visits to training and practicing centers of craftsmen, master classes on Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz manufacturing have sustainable success among the local population, as well as among foreign guests, thus contributing to increase awareness of the element among international community.

B.3.b.

Safeguarding activities

List the key activities that were carried out during this reporting period in order to achieve these expected results. Please describe the activities in detail and note their effectiveness or any problems encountered in implementing them.

Safeguarding activities

Main activities were conducted to achieve the intended results:
1. To improve the existing state regulations and other documents related to intangible cultural heritage:
On 27th of October 2015, the Government adopted the 2020 Culture Development Program aimed to develop culture related industries, in particular, identification, safeguarding, usage and promotion of cultural heritage.
On 27th of September 2017, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law was amended and supplemented with provisions of ICH safeguarding.
In 2015, the Law on Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection and Use was amended to include measures for safeguarding and use of ICH elements located on the territory of historical and cultural sites. They are even more adapted to the provisions of the 2003 Convention and are consistent with its objectives.
Governmental Resolution has adopted the National Program for Safeguarding, Research and Promotion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for 2012-2017. This program was developed by an expert group composed from the representatives of all governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, including the bearers and practicioners of ICH.
ICH capacity safeguarding and its development was also enclosed to the Draft National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the KR for 2018-2040 "Taza koom – Jany door".
In 2013, the Craft Council of Kyrgyzstan was created aimed to unite craftsmen based on common interests for safeguarding and further development of the national craftsmanship in the Kyrgyz Republic, at the national and international levels. The craftsmen were also included to the Craft Council.
Development and improvement of the normative and legal acts created a solid and favorable basis for ICH safeguarding and development as a whole, and the felt carpets manufacturing tradition in particular. Implementation of the National Program for ICH safeguarding facilitated the realization of certain activities outlined in the element safeguarding plan. However, despite of measures undertaken to strengthen and improve ICH regulatory framework, the Government has not yet developed the state strategy for craftsmanship development in the Kyrgyz Republic. It should be based on the principle of traditional craftsmanship continuity, and in particular, safeguarding and development of felt carpets manufacturing traditions, increasing the number of followers of this heritage, protection of the rights of craftsmen. Creation of the national committee for the element safeguarding would also facilitate more activities in this area.
In addition, nowadays there is a need to support craftsmen at the state level in the field of taxation, lending, subsidizing and granting.
2. Creation of craftsmen associations, opening of training and practicing centers in all regions of the country:
Currently, community-based training and practicing centers are opened in each region of Kyrgyzstan. From 2012 to 2017, felt carpets craftsmen trained more than 700 pupils. About 500 women and girls were trained in traditional wool processing technologies and felt carpets art making. Also, crafts training courses were opened at schools and vocational schools. For example, in 2016 at the vocational lyceum No. 58 was opened such courses in Nookat (Osh region).
The inscription of the element on the USL makes our craft heritage significant not only among felt carpets makers, but also among all craftsmen in the country. Following element inscription, they held several meetings at the local and national levels, and decided to create a Craft Council, which was established in 2014.
Opening of the training and practicing centers allowed to increase the number of element practitioners to 2,350 people throughout the country.
At the same time, insufficient inclusion into the formal education system – schools and vocational lyceums curricula to bring-up new generation of craftsmen to be able to continue craftsmanship traditions and use knowledge and skills in modern reality is still a problem.
3. To conduct training sessions on different types of Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz manufacturing, as well as festivals, contests, master classes and awareness raising:
In order to raise awareness and attract young people to felt carpets making art, the community jointly with the Craft Council, the Ministry of Culture and other interested organizations and individuals continuously conduct various activities.
For example, since 2013 the Felt Carpets Festival is held annually. Felt carpets fairs, best felt carpet contests among craftsmen, contest for the best carpets safekeeping as a family relic and contests among young people for the best felt technologies mastering are held during the festival. In addition, as part of this Festival, Altyn Choychok - the felt carpets manufacturers association of the At-Bashi district awards scholarships named after the professional Janyl Alibekova for the talented youth.
Training sessions on mastering skills to determine wool quality and qualitative processing of raw materials are periodically held for craftsmen in different regions of the country so that to increase the competitiveness of their production in the local and international markets.
The number of TV programs about felt carpets and their bearers and practitioners has increased on public and private channels of Kyrgyzstan to raise the awareness of the wider public. In 2015, 12 TV programs "Portrait of a Master" were aired on the "Sanat" channel.
In 2016, the Public Foundation CACSARC-kg published a colorful 360-page album "Shyrdak, Kyrgyz Traditional Felt Carpet" in Kyrgyz, Russian and English languages. The book was provided to the national museums, public libraries, universities, as well as to the relevant organizations abroad: handicraft associations and museums of Central Asia and the Pacific countries and to the office of the World Craft Council.
4. To promote the carpets made of Kyrgyzstan craftsmen’s felt at the international level through participating in international exhibitions and fairs.
The craftsmanship groups made great efforts to develop the felt carpets market in the country and abroad. They supply Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets to the European countries and the USA.
Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets entered to the international market: in 2015, a store "Shyrdak Avenue" was opened in Zurich selling felt carpets and souvenirs. Shyrdak is also represented in the prestigious salon L'Aviva Home in New York.
In 2016 and 2017 Kyrgyz researches and collectors of traditional textile visited the State Carpet Museum in Baku, Azerbaijan that aimed to introduce the Art of Kyrgyz Felt carpets. To increase public awareness of the Kyrgyz felt carpets abroad, several Kyrgyz NGOs, working in cultural sphere in partnership with the Carpet Museum in Baku started to develop a joint project “International Felt Cross-roads” Festival in Baku in October of 2018.
5. Inventorization and creation of the felt carpets database
In order to identify and systematize traditional knowledge of the Kyrgyz people related to craftsmanship technologies, felt carpets and ornaments manufacturing, as well as the use of natural resources as raw material, the Ministry of Culture, the National Academy and NGOs conducted field surveys, which resulted in the creation of the craftsmen database and included additional information concerning the element to the National List of ICH. This database can be used by craftsmen, artists, ethnographers, historians, art historians, teachers, students, as well as all stakeholders.
The Public Foundation "Felt Art Studio" created a database on ancient Shyrdak patterns, which contains 55 Shyrdak patterns and uses them for training the young generation.
Field surveys were conducted to identify bearers and practitioners, who use traditional rough and fatty wool processing technology, as well as training sessions on traditional wool treatment and processing technological cycle. Preparation of a methodical manual on rough and fatty wool treatment and its processing into felt products is being completed.

B.3.c.

Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

Describe how communities, groups or, if appropriate, individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have effectively participated, including in terms of gender roles, in the safeguarding measures. Describe the role of the implementing organization or body (name, background, etc.) and the human resources that were available for implementing safeguarding activities.

Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

Element bearers and practitioners directly took part in organizing and conducting the following activities to safeguard and promote the element:
Community representatives were included in the working group for the development of the 2020 Culture Development Program and the working group on amending the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law and the Law on the Historical and Cultural Heritage Protection and Use;
Traning and practiing centers were opened in each region of Kyrgyzstan for young generation;
In addition, master classes were held as part of various events, for example, at the World Nomad Games in 2015 and 2016 and in the Almalau ethno village from April to October approximately 20-25 master classes monthly with 4 - 30 people in a group.
Festivals are organized and held, for example, during the Felt Carpets Festival, the community of the element bearers and practitioners from the At-Bashi district was fully engaged in management issues: negotiated with the local authorities and the Ministry of Culture; conducted fundraising events; organized the work of the jury and master classes on felt technologies, and etc.
They took an active part in preparing publication of the book "Shyrdak, the Kyrgyz Traditional Felt Carpet". They shared knowledge, helped to collect information and photo materials and participated in the creation of the Shyrdak classifier. During the book presentation they organized felt carpets exhibition with a demonstration and participated on TV programs about the book creating process.
They also make efforts to promote the element at the domestic and foreign markets. For example, one group consisting of 27 women and 4 men produces 350-400 Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz for export annually. Approximate annual income is up to 70-90 thousand euro.
The Aigine Cultural Research Center jointly with the Craft Council conducted researches and trainings on traditional rough wool processing technologies.
Activities to safeguard and promote the element were implemented by the Craft Council of Kyrgyzstan, the Public Foundation CACSARC-kg and the Ministry of Culture.
The Craft Council of Kyrgyzstan is the craftsmen association has united more than 5000 craftsmen throughout Kyrgyzstan and with the representatives of all regions in the country. It also includes felt carpets makers.
CACSARC-kg is the Public Foundation registered in 2009 engaged in the revival, safeguarding and development of traditional crafts and culture of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. This Foundation also includes NGOs who engaged in felt carpets safeguarding.
To organize activities for the element safeguarding, implementing organizations also involved the representatives of the civil society, academicians, experts and business communities.

B.3.d.

Timetable and budget

Indicate in a timetable when each activity was implemented and the funds that were used for its implementation, identifying the source of funding for each (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).

Timetable and budget

Funds from the state budget were used to develop and prepare various regulatory and legal documents related to ICH safeguarding; it took two years, while the approval in the Government and the Parliament.
By now, 130,000 USD were spent for activities aimed to improve wool quality, research and disseminate traditional techniques of rough wool processing. Active work started in 2014 and is still under elaboration. Measures to improve wool quality were implemented in Naryn region, field research on the traditional coarse wool processing technique was conducted in 3 regions. These activities were funded by the international organizations, business communities and the Union of Craftsmen. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture has been making efforts to improve the breed of the local sheep.
Approximately 140,000 USD were spent for field work and research, inclusion of additional information on the element to the National List, creation of the database of the element bearers and practitioners and other activities in this field.
Approximately 700,000 USD were spent in total for opening community-based training and practicing centers and in vocational schools. The funding were covered by the Government, international organizations and communities. In some areas, local authorities and business communities provided for free their premises for opening training and practicing centers.
Awareness raising activities (festivals, master classes, educational excursions, and etc.) were funded by the Government, private organizations, CACSA-kg and the Craft Council. Approximately 1 million USD were spent for these events from 2013 to 2017, taking no account of the voluntary contribution of the communities and some organizations.
Two big books to popularize the element - ''Shyrdak'' and ''Felt Carpets'' were published during the reporting period using private funds amounting to 150,000 USD. In 2016, the book “Shyrdak” was awarded a Diploma at the International Book Fair in the "Cognitive Book" nomination.

B.3.e.

Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

Provide an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the activities undertaken to achieve the expected results and of the efficiency of the use of funds for implementing the activities. Please indicate how the activities contributed to achieving the results and whether other activities could have contributed better to achieving the same results. Also indicate whether the same results could have been achieved with less funding, whether the human resources available were appropriate and whether communities, groups and individuals could have been better involved.

Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

Inscription of the element on the USL contributed to raise the awareness and value of the element, not only among craftsmen, but also among the wider population in general. The implementation of the approved safeguarding plan also helped to promote this element and make it more visible.
People now showing their active interest in this traditional art and buying felt carpets; the tradition of mandatory Shyrdak and Ala-kiyiz as bride’s dowry has revived; hotels and offices now using felt carpets as a decoration; excursion routes of the tourist companies now include visiting workshops of craftsmen - felt carpets manufacturers. All these activities contributed in strengthening the element transmitting and improving the well-being of the communities.
Government’s assistance as part of creating the ICH related regulatory framework enabled to establish a solid and favorable basis for safeguarding and development of ICH as a whole and felt carpets making tradition in particular.
Activities that helped to raise the awareness and attract young generation to the carpets making art include opening training and practicing centers, organizing training sessions, master classes, contests, festivals, publishing books, media coverage both in the country and abroad.
Significant role and assistance of youth organizations in the element popularization should be mentioned as well. For example, they helped to conduct master classes, educational excursions to training and practicing centers and organized computer training for elderly craftsmen, advertised felt carpets on social networks, for example, they opened pages on Facebook, Instagram, and etc., which also helped them to find new markets for felt carpets.
The assumed obligations are performed due to close cooperation of the Government, communities and non-governmental organizations. Active participation of all stakeholders have increased the viability of this element. Although, contribution of each party to implementation of certain safeguarding activities varies, their efforts are equally necessary for this element safeguarding.
Contribution of international organizations, business communities and NGOs to safeguard this element is funding of various short- and long-term programs for the development of income-generating craftsmanship activities in rural areas using local agricultural raw materials. This approach contributes not only on safeguarding, but also to further development of traditional craftsmanship knowledge and technologies concentrated in the rural environment, taking into account careful attitude towards local ecosystems and their reproduction.
The production and tourism businesses, for which traditional crafts in particular, the felt carpets making art, are a cultural phenomenon attracting clients and tourists, actively engaging in advertising felt carpets and contributing to maintain interest in this element at the international level.
Mass media also contributed to the promotion and awareness raising about the element both at the national and international level.
While contribution of each of these parties to implementation of certain safeguarding measures varies and is unbalanced, their efforts are equally necessary for safeguarding this element.
Given wide public response to the above activities, it can be summarized that the total utilization of funds from various sources were effective.
However, it should be recognized that compared to funds allocated by the community, NGOs, international organizations and private foundations, the Government's contribution to some activities is insignificant and should be increased in the nearest future.
Increasing public financial investments, as well as targeted management involving more government human resources could ensure much more efficiency from the planned element safeguarding activities. With the greater involvement of local authorities, namely local administrations in supporting current element safeguarding initiatives of individual craftsmen and felt carpets making communities, more distinct results can be achieved.
Government’s control and more active assistance to efforts of various players in the craft sector could ensure in the future not only safeguarding, but also sustainable development of felt carpets that would allow the element transfer from the ICH List in need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of ICH.
Accordingly, it is necessary to continue active efforts aimed to revive and popularize Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets by all the above interested players in close cooperation with each other.

C

Chochunbaeva

C. Update of the safeguarding measures

C.1.

Updated safeguarding plan

Please provide an update of the safeguarding plan included in the nomination file or in the previous report. In particular provide detailed information as follows:

1. a. What primary objective(s) will be addressed and what concrete results will be expected?
2. b. What are the key activities to be carried out in order to achieve these expected results? Describe the activities in detail and in their best sequence, addressing their feasibility.
3. c. How will the State(s) Party(ies) concerned support the implementation of the updated safeguarding plan?

Updated safeguarding plan

Table - see word document for correctly formatted information

Safeguarding plan
Goal: Further, enhance and expand the activities aimed to safeguard and ensure sustainable development of the element.
Expected results: To increase the number of the element bearers and practitioners, especially, those who engaged in Ala-kiyiz felt carpet making; to develop sustainable market for felt carpets; to increase the awareness of the element.



No.

Activities

Expected results Organizations involved in management and implementation
Time frame
Estimated budget
(USD)
1 Elaborate state strategy for craftsmanship development
To create legal framework for the craft sector, protection of the rights of craftsmen and state support Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, craft community, NGO 2018-2019 2000
2 Strengthen Ala-kiyiz making practice (conduct training sessions, festivals, and etc.)

To increase the number of Ala-kiyiz felt carpet makers Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs
2018-2020 50000
3 Enhance the work of training and practicing centers; conduct training sessions
To increase the number of element practitioners and bearers Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs
2018-2020 80000
4 Develop and include felt carpets making courses in the school and university curricula To raise the awareness of the element and increase the number of young practitioners Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs
2019-2020 75000
5 Improve the wool quality and enhance traditional rough wool processing practice and dyeing methods To improve wool quality and felt carpets quality and solidity
The Ministry of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs 2018-2021 100000
6 Hold festivals, contests and other activities To raise the awareness of the wider public Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, local authorities, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs 2018-2021 500000
7 Publish felt carpet catalogues and manuals
To raise the awareness of the wider public and enhance transmitting practice
Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs 2018-2021 250000
8 Support and promote bearers and practitioners of the element
To increase pride for their heritage and strengthened element related practice Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, local authorities and NGOs 2018-2021 -
9 Field work aimed to survey the element
New materials on various felt carpet making methods and element bearers and practitioners will be included into the database National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, local authorities, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs 2018-2019 15000
10 Participate in the regional and international fairs and exhibitions in order to find new sales markets
To increase the economic welfare of the community
Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, local authorities, the community of felt carpets makers and NGOs 2018-2021 -
11 Apply to the World Crafts Council Program for receiving the status “The Land of Felt Carpet” by Naryn region of the Kyrgyz Republic To raise the awareness of felt carpets at the international level
Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic, Government of Naryn region 2018 7000

C.2.

Community participation

Please describe how communities, groups and individuals, as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have been involved, including in terms of gender roles, in updating the safeguarding plan, and how they will be involved in its implementation.

00116

Community participation

The Public Foundation CACSARC-kg - experienced implementer of a number of social and cultural projects, the Craft Council of Kyrgyzstan uniting craftsmen throughout the country, active craftsmen producing felt carpet, interested NGOs and representatives of the Ministry of Culture jointly discussed and drafted the updated plan for traditional felt carpets safeguarding. At the meetings organized during the reporting period, the participants shared their experiences of the element safeguarding and proposed some ideas on measures to ensure its sustainable development in the future.
Communities and NGOs outlined areas of their intended activities. For example, the community of felt carpets craftsmen "Kyrgyz Uz" is focused on organizing the annual Felt Carpets Festival as a tool for promoting the element. The Public Foundation "Kiyiz Duino" is working to strengthen the felt carpet making practice Ala-kiyiz and its promotion through organizing exhibitions and contests for young masters at the national level. The community of felt carpet makers Altyn Oymok and NGO “Felt Art Studio” are working to further strengthen knowledge and transmit skills to the young generation through regular seminars and master classes. The Public Foundation "Handicrafts and Traditional Knowledge" promotes safeguarding activities of the craft communities and raising public awareness through publications.
In addition, the community of craftsmen "Kyrgyz Uz" and Public Fund "Felt Art Studio" will further work to improve the quality of raw materials and wool processing as necessary for the production of good quality felt carpets. "Kyrgyz Uz" will focus on sheep breeding and "Felt Art Studio" - on natural dyes cultivation. In both cases, the role and participation of men is significantly increasing, because men are traditionally engaged in sheep breeding, felt pressing, and etc., which corresponds to maintenance of gender balance.
The Craft Council of Kyrgyzstan manages the work of communities and NGOs and their cooperation in implementing measures to safeguard the element with the support of CACSARC-kg.

C.3.

Institutional context

Please report on the institutional context for the local management and safeguarding of the element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, including:

1. a. the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;
2. b. the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

2006-11-06

Institutional context

The Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic is engaged in the element safeguarding and promotion of partnership with the craft communities, NGOs and with the Institute of Cultural Heritage of the National Academy of Sciences.
List of partner organizations:
• Public Foundation CACSARC-kg, which has initiated the inscription of Kyrgyz traditional felt carpets on the USL;
• The Craft Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, which unites craftsmen throughout the country;
• Community of craftsmen - felt carpets manufacturers "Kyrgyz Uz";
• Altyn Kol, the Association of traditional felt carpets manufacturers in Naryn region;
• Altyn Choychok - community of craftsmen;
• The Public Foundation "Kiyiz Duino" promotes the Kyrgyz felt traditions at the national and international levels;
• Craft organizations ''Altyn Oymok'' and ''Felt Art Studio'';
• The Public Foundation "Crafts and Traditional Knowledge" focusing on promotion, training and research;
• Cultural Research Center "Aigine" focusing on research of the traditional technology of rough and fatty wool treatment and its processing into felt products.

D

Dinara

D. Participation of communities in preparing this report

Describe the measures taken to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report.

Participation of communities in preparing this report

This report was prepared with joint efforts of the Ministry of Culture of the KR, the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO, the Public Foundation CACSARC-kg, the Craft Council, as well as the element bearers and practitioners.
All members of the Craft Council actively contributed to information collection, a response was also received from writers and public people, designers and photographers, youth organizations that were invited to the joint meeting of the working group to exchange information and materials. For example, the photographer Urmatbek Osmoyev provided his photos and videos, which depict element safeguarding and popularization activities by the craft communities throughout Kyrgyzstan. Special assistance in the report preparation was provided by the Chairperson of the Craft Council, bearer and practitioner of the element Jemby Karybekova and expert Dinara Chochunbaeva.
Financial support related information was provided by the Ministry of Culture, local authorities and various organizations.
Some information was collected during various events: crafts related conferences, festivals and fairs, meetings with donor organizations and NGOs working in the field of culture.

E

Director, Central Asian Crafts Support Association's Resource Centre in Kyrgyzstan (CACSARC-kg)

E. Signature on behalf of the State Party

The report should be signed by an official empowered to do so on behalf of the State, and should include his or her name, title and the date of submission.

Name

Sabira Soltongeldieva

Title

Secretary-General, National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO

Date

31-01-2018

Signature

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