Cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan showcased at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

Bishkek, Nov. 22, 2019. / Kabar /. Over 200 guests, including ambassadors and senior representatives from many countries,attended a cultural event hosted by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republicon 19 November at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The soiree showcased Kyrgyzstan’s rich cultural heritage highlighted by a performanceof folk melodies by musicians fromthe Ustatshakirt Ensemble, established and supported by the Aga Khan Development Network. H.E. Chyngyz Aidarbekov, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr Azamat Jamankulov, Minister of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic welcomedattendees, who included Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General, UNESCO and Ms. Fairouz Nishanova, Director, Aga Khan Music Programme. While in Paris,Ustatshakirt musiciansalso conducteda master class on musical instruments and melodiesof Kyrgyzstan to students and faculty members of theUniversity of Paris Nanterre. The Aga Khan Music Programme, through Ustatshakirt has,since 2005, been supporting programmes to revitalise local musical traditionsthroughout Kyrgyzstanbenefitting over 7,000 school-going students by offeringprofessional development courses for music teachers and providing instructors with musical repertoires as well as instruments for children’s ensembles.