24 April 2012
National experts took part in a training workshop on implementing the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, 6-10 April 2012 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The training was organized by the UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty and supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ISESCO and the Kazakhstan National Federation of UNESCO Clubs.
The training aimed to improve the understanding and use of practical mechanisms for implementing the Convention at the national level, for example, the creation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) lists, the inclusion of intangible cultural heritage elements in the Conventions nomination lists, as well as strengthening international cooperation. The training emphasized the need to enhance the role of the government, NGOs, communities and media directly in the identification, inventory and preservation of ICH.The training was attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Agency for Tourism and Sport, representatives of leading universities in Kazakhstan, members of the National Committee for the Safeguarding of ICH, experts from the UNESCO Observatory on Central Asia, as well as creators of ICH elements - artisans, musicians and storytellers.
According to, Illia Fetysov, UNESCO consultant on implementation of the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kazakhstan participants’ knowledge of Convention mechanisms was very high despite the fact that ratification only recently took place in the country.
On December 28, 2011 Kazakhstan submitted to the Director-General of UNESCO its ratification of the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage (adopted in Paris on October 17, 2003). Kazakhstan became the 142nd State Party to the Convention. On November 9, 2011 Kazakhstan's parliament approved a draft law "On Ratification of the Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage."
In 2012 - 2013 the UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty plans to conduct similar trainings in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Permanent link: http://en.unesco.kz/new-impetus-for-protection-of-intangible-cultural-heritage-in-kazakhstan