On February 24, 2026, a forum titled "ART DIALOG 2026" was held in Bishkek, dedicated to the issues of protecting and developing historical and intangible cultural heritage, as reported by the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan.
The event, attended by State Secretary Arslan Koichiev, included representatives from government structures, cultural figures, historians, art critics, as well as workers from museums, libraries, creative associations, and media.
Culture Minister Mirbek Mambetaliev highlighted several systemic issues, including the lack of a unified national strategy, insufficient long-term programs, weak interregional coordination, and the absence of centralized management.
"The reduction in the number of tradition bearers and the aging of masters raises concerns, along with the uncertainty of their legal status. It is important to create a comprehensive register of intangible cultural heritage, conduct an inventory of its elements, and develop a unified digital database. Additionally, it is worth noting the insufficient protection of intellectual property, the decline in interest in traditional crafts, and the gradual loss of skills in working with materials such as felt, wool, leather, wood, and natural dyes," the statement said.
Deputy Minister Askaraly Madaminov outlined the current state of tangible cultural heritage. According to the agency, among the problems are insufficient funding for repair, restoration, and conservation work, weak control over illegal excavations, thefts, and the export of cultural values. There is also a lack of qualified specialists in archaeology, restoration, and architecture, while salary levels remain low.The Ministry emphasized that as a result of discussions at "ART DIALOG 2026," solutions to the raised issues and specific initiatives for forming a sustainable system for preserving and developing cultural heritage in the country were proposed.
