Festival on Cultural Diversity and Dialogue in Central Asia, 24 May-1 June 2005

24 May 2005

The Festival is one of a number of events celebrating World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on 21 May. «Cultural Diversity is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefits for the present and future generations» - Article 1 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.

Situated at the crossroads of the Silk Road between East and West, the participating countries have long been home to peoples representing a wide variety of cultures. Central Asia is a unique cultural area that has long witnessed encounters between ancient civilizations and cultures and where many religions and beliefs, tangible and intangible heritages and sedentary and nomadic peoples continue to intermingle.

The Festival will reveal the cultural pluralism that makes up the richness and the dynamism of this region through exhibitions of arts and crafts, concerts, films, fashion shows, round table and other events. It will also provide an opportunity for dialogue with various cultural actors from Central Asia, the heirs and interpreters of a tradition of encounters and exchanges in continual evolution all along the main transcontinental routes.

The Festival has been organized in the framework of the celebrations marking, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 May). It coincides with the third session of the intergovernmental meeting of experts on the Preliminary Draft Convention on the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Contents and Artistic Expressions.

Programme:

Exhibitions of arts and crafts from Central Asian countries (24 May - 1 June, 10am – 6pm, apart from Saturday and Sunday)

• Tuesday 24 May, Room I - Spectacle

6:15pm : Slideshow

6:30pm : Central Asian Dances and Music

8:30pm : Fashion show: Central Asia's past and present heritage – a source of inspiration

• Wednesday 25 May

6pm : Kyrgyz film evening, Cinema

8pm : Slideshow, music et dances, fashion show, Room I (same programme as 24 May)

• Thursday 26 May

10am – 6pm : Round table "Central Asia - Crossroads of Cultures and Civilizations", Room IV

7pm : Tajik cinema evening, Cinema

• Friday 27 May

7pm : Uzbek cinema evening, Cinema

• Monday 30 May

7pm : Kazakh cinema evening, Cinema

• Tuesday 31 May

7pm : Mongolian cinema evening, Cinema

• Wednesday 1 June

7pm : Turkmen cinema evening, Cinema