News

Merеке Aidarsha, Senior Lecturer of our university’s Department of Fine Arts and Excellence in Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan awardee, took part in UNESCO’s regional seminar “Strengthening the Safeguarding Capacity for Living Heritage in Central Asia: Focusing on the Urgent Safeguarding List”, held in Almaty. During the event, she learned about methods for identifying, researching, and protecting endangered traditions at the international level and had the opportunity to exchange professional experience.

The main goals of the seminar were to provide a deeper understanding of how the Urgent Safeguarding List mechanism works, discuss key lessons learned from the 2024 Periodic Reporting for the Central Asian region, review thematic examples (based on the art of carpet weaving), and develop practical skills in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Another important objective was strengthening regional cooperation and dialogue between policy institutions and local communities.

Experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan took part in the seminar. They discussed updated mechanisms for inscribing cultural elements on the Urgent Safeguarding List, analyzed regional cases, and developed project plans aimed at preserving cultural practices.

Our teacher, Merеке Aidarsha, also demonstrated her carpet-weaving skills. In her remarks, she said:
“Through this work, I strive to preserve the legacy of our ancestors and find new ways to pass this art on to the younger generation. Carpet weaving is not just an art for me — it is the soul of the nation.”

One of the most memorable moments of the event was the visit to the “Qazaq Oner” artisans’ center. Craftsmen there showcased the arts of felting and carpet weaving, revealing the history and craftsmanship embodied in every pattern and thread.

The training concluded with participants presenting ideas for joint projects, giving new impetus to strengthening cultural cooperation among the Central Asian countries.