On Saturday, November 30, Astana hosted the second meeting of the Working Group on the development of a set of measures to protect the historical and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan, which is under the protection of UNESCO, chaired by the Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva.
Comprehensive measures are designed to coordinate and unite the efforts of central and local executive authorities, members of the National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO (Organization of the Islamic World of Education, Science and Culture), as well as historians, archaeologists, ethnographers and representatives of public associations for the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
This strategic initiative is aimed at preserving already included and potential sites (significant historical and architectural monuments) Kazakhstan is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as for the protection of elements of the intangible cultural heritage (bearers of traditions, rituals, language, music and crafts, etc.).
In this regard, Minister Aida Balayeva emphasized the need for systematic and coordinated work of all stakeholders for the successful implementation of the tasks set and the implementation of the provisions of the Conventions on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
During the meeting of the Working Group, plans of three working subgroups were presented, each of which focuses on specific aspects of the protection and popularization of the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
The first subgroup is on intangible cultural heritage (hereinafter referred to as ICH), the primary task of which is to improve the skills of employees of museums, reserves, libraries, etc., as well as the introduction of interdisciplinary educational programs in universities. This will allow Kazakhstan to train certified experts in the field of traditional crafts, numismatics and bonistics, traditional games, restorers of decorative and applied products, etc.
In addition, the issue of supplementing the general education program "Physical culture" with classes on Kazakh traditional games is being worked out.
In terms of the working subgroup on ICH, it is also the organization and conduct of extensive research work (inventory of ICH, documentation of manufacturing technology and decoration of the Kazakh yurt, Kazakh carpet weaving, which is endangered).
The second subgroup works directly with the sites of Kazakhstan that are under the protection of UNESCO (within the framework of the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage). The main tasks are solving management, security and infrastructure issues.
In addition, the experts' attention is focused on serial transnational nominations "Silk Road. The Fergana-Syrdarya Corridor", "Silk Road: the Caspian-Volga Corridor". In this direction, joint work is underway with local executive bodies of Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda and Mangystau regions.
The third subgroup is designed to carry out work on the preservation and promotion of the documentary heritage of Kazakhstan within the framework of the UNESCO Memory of the World program. One of the key tasks today is to prepare for the nomination of the manuscripts "Kara sozder" ("Words of Edification") Abaya and Mashhur Zhusup Kopeeva are included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
In 2003, the manuscripts of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi were added to this list, and in 2005, the documents of the anti–nuclear movement "Nevada – Semipalatinsk".
The issue of creating a State Register of the written heritage of Kazakhstan is also being worked out.
The presented plans of the three working subgroups will be taken into work by the Ministry for their further implementation, which will significantly strengthen the protection and development of the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
Press Service of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mam/press/news/details/893758