ICH Courier

ince its establishment in 2007, the Taalim Forum Public Foundation has been deeply committed to safeguarding Kyrgyzstan’s biocultural diversity and  evitalising traditional knowledge systems. For nearly two decades, the foundation has worked at the intersection of culture, education, and community development, recognising that the long-term sustainability of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) depends on its meaningful transmission to younger generations. With this vision, Taalim-Forum has placed a strong emphasis on educational initiatives that enable children, youth, and teachers to reconnect with their cultural roots, explore their natural environment, and engage directly with community knowledge keepers.
One of the organisation’s earliest efforts involved establishing a traditional music club in a remote school located in the mountainous region of Kyrgyzstan. In this setting, far from cultural institutions, children were provided with traditional musical instruments such as the komuz and chopo choor , and received instruction from professional musicians. For

many students, this was their first opportunity to learn traditional music in a systematic way. The initiative not only revitalised musical traditions within the community but also sparked interest among parents and local elders, who began to participate by sharing songs, stories, and histories associated with the instruments.
Over the years, Taalim-Forum has significantly expanded its educational portfolio. Understanding that modern learners access information through diverse formats, the foundation developed an interdisciplinary online university course titled “Nature – Culture – Human.” This course explores the interconnectedness of ecosystems, cultural practices, and social development, integrating perspectives from anthropology, ethnobiology, environmental studies, and traditional knowledge systems. The foundation produced educational materials in various formats. These include video lessons, ary films, and multimedia educational materials that present aspects of Kyrgyz cultural heritage through the voices of practitioners, artisans, herders, storytellers, and community elders.

Recognising the importance of early childhood exposure to traditional culture, Taalim-Forum also created a set of visually engaging children’s books featuring the Kyrgyz yurt, traditional clothing, felt ornaments, household items, horse tack, and sacred animals. These books, richly illustrated and informed by ethnographic research, provide young readers with an accessible introduction to their cultural roots, reinforcing the value of heritage from an early age.
To strengthen the pedagogical dimension of heritage education, the foundation developed methodological guides for teachers, demonstrating how local nature and culture can be integrated into the learning process through immersive, place- based approaches. These materials encourage educators to take students beyond the classroom to rivers, pastures, workshops, archaeological sites, and local households where they can directly engage with the natural environment and with bearers of traditional knowledge. Such methodological innovations empowered students to carry out research projects that involved identifying knowledge keepers in their own communities and ing their skills, crafts, traditional games, oral histories, and ecological practices. Through these experiences, students developed a deeper sense of belonging and appreciation for the cultural and natural heritage surrounding them.
Teachers who participated in Taalim-Forum’s training programmes frequently noted that the initiatives helped them rediscover cultural values and practices they had begun to lose in their professional and personal lives. Many described how the training reignited their interest in teaching heritage- related topics and inspired them to incorporate more culturally grounded activities into their lessons. Motivated by this shared experience, a group of trained teachers formed an informal network called “Eco-Bilim” (“Eco-Knowledge”). This network continues to be an active community of practice, where educators exchange methodological ideas, create joint educational projects, and organise cultural and ecological activities for students. The network has also become a platform for ongoing dialogue between teachers and community knowledge holders, ensuring that local voices remain at the centre of educational processes.
In addition to working with teachers, Taalim-Forum has organised a series of youth summer camps located within natural parks and protected areas. These camps combine environmental education with hands-on cultural exploration, enabling students to immerse themselves in both the natural landscapes and the vibrant living traditions of Kyrgyzstan. Activities include studying the structure and symbolism of the yurt, creating felt appliqués and traditional ornaments, preparing Kyrgyz dishes using local ingredients, learning about traditional horse gear, and identifying local plant and animal species. By engaging youth in multi-sensory, experiential

learning, these programmes foster a holistic understanding of biocultural heritage and highlight the interdependence of people, culture, and nature.
Beyond its educational work, Taalim-Forum is actively involved in research and contributes to regional and international dialogues on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Director Almagul Osmonova has presented the foundation’s work at several UNESCO subregional meetings held in Almaty and Bishkek, focusing on safeguarding ICH through community-based approaches and through formal and non-formal education. She also participated in the International Workshop for Multi-disciplinary Study on ICH’s Contribution to Sustainable Development: Focusing on Education (2019, Tokyo, Japan) as well as in a range of online and in-person workshops organised by ICHCAP, strengthening regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.
In 2020, Taalim-Forum conducted the research project “The Contribution of Intangible Cultural Heritage to SDGs: Education and Community Development,” led by Dr.Jyldyz Doolbekova. The study, carried out in several regions of Kyrgyzstan, examined the role of community leaders in the preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage. Initiated and supported by the International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (IRCI), the research highlighted how local knowledge holders- craftsmen, storytellers, herders, musicians, and ritual specialists
– serve as key actors in promoting cultural resilience and strengthening community identity. The findings, presented under the title “Local Communities as Visionaries in Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage in Kyrgyzstan,” were showcased at the 2020 International Symposium (online) in Tokyo and later shared at the international conference “Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage through Education,” organised by Taalim- Forum in partnership with the American University of Central Asia. The results of the research emphasising the broader significance of community-led heritage safeguarding efforts were also published in an academic article by IRCI: Local community strategies for safeguarding cultural landscapes in Kyrgyzstan(Jyldyz Doolbekova, 2025)
Through its long-term and multifaceted commitment, Taalim-Forum continues to play a vital role in revitalising traditional knowledge systems, strengthening community identity, and ensuring the sustainable transmission of intangible cultural heritage in Kyrgyzstan. By bridging generations, promoting intercultural dialogue, and integrating cultural and ecological knowledge into education, the foundation contributes not only to safeguarding heritage but also to building a more resilient, culturally grounded, and sustainable society for future generations.