Representatives of Turkmenistan, along with experts from other Central Asian countries, are participating in a four-day training on preparing nomination files for the Lists of the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage. The event, which is taking place from August 20 to 23 in Bishkek, is aimed at improving the skills of national experts in the field of preserving and promoting cultural heritage at the international level, reports “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”.

The training is attended by employees of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the National Commission for UNESCO, as well as representatives of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The program includes studying the concept of intangible cultural heritage within the framework of the 2003 UNESCO Convention and the features of the organization’s various lists.

Particular attention is paid to the analysis of nomination files of Central Asian countries and a discussion of the reasons for the unbalanced representation of the region in UNESCO lists. Participants are also considering the possibility of preparing joint multinational nominations.

The training Is conducted within the framework of the Silk Roads Heritage Corridors in Central Asia project with the support of the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty, the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Aigine Cultural Research Center. Its main goal is to train experts to create high-quality nomination files and develop the skills necessary for the effective presentation of their countries’ cultural heritage in the international arena.