The International Festival “Intangible Cultural Heritage: Legacy of Centuries” will be held from 15 to 18 October 2026 in Turkmenabad, Turkmenistan, in the framework of the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The event is organized in accordance with the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and contributes to its overall objectives, in particular the safeguarding, respect and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, as well as the recognition of its role in promoting cultural diversity and sustainable development. The festival is intended to provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation among representatives of States Parties, cultural communities, practitioners, experts, and relevant institutions. It will facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices related to the safeguarding and transmission of living heritage.

The programme will comprise an opening ceremony, an international scientific and practical conference, thematic panel sessions, exhibitions, workshops, cultural visits, and artistic presentations. These activities will collectively highlight diverse of intangible cultural heritage, including traditional craftsmanship, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and knowledge systems transmitted from generation to generation.

Cultural visits to relevant institutions, including museums and theatres in Turkmenabad, will be organized to provide participants with opportunities to engage with the cultural and historical context of the host country. Artistic performances and exhibitions will further contribute to the presentation of living heritage in its diverse forms.

The closing session will include the presentation of certificates to practitioners, a collective artistic performance, and the adoption of a concluding message of the participants.

Through this initiative, the festival contributes to the implementation of UNESCO’s mandate in the field of intangible cultural heritage and to the promotion of respect for cultural diversity at the global level.

Text as provided by the organiser(s).