The Kyrgyz Republic: Concept, Strategies, and Practices for the Preservation of the National Cultural Heritage

The Kyrgyz Republic:
Concept, Strategies, and Practices for the Preservation
of the National Cultural Heritage

doi:10.17746/1563-0110.2022.50.2.128-139

I.V. Oktyabrskaya¹, S.K. Alymkulova², I.I. Nazarov³, and E.V. Samushkina^1
1Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
²Arabaev Kyrgyz State University, Iskhaka Razzakova 51A, Bishkek, 720016, Kyrgyzstan
³Institute of History and International Relations, Altai State University, Pr. Lenina 61, Barnaul, 656049, Russia

This study deals with the concept of “cultural heritage ” in the Kyrgyz Republic, including both material culture and traditional ideology. We describe their codification, and strategies for their preservation and popularization. We draw on a large database, which includes findings of original fieldwork. We outline the elaboration of the concept of cultural heritage and its content, presenting a systematic description of institutional aspect and meaning, and we analyze the practices of its implementation. The historical and cultural heritage is viewed as a multifactorial space. The realities of modern Kyrgyzstan suggest that the nation implements integration strategies in foreign policy. While using the notions of cultural heritage and traditional values, the republic strengthens its ties with other members of the CIS, raising the level of its integration into the Central Asian community and maintaining its status as part of the world civilization. Cultural heritage is a key resource of social change and the economic stabilization of local communities. Its preservation at the level of everyday culture, academic, and educational practices, museums, festivals, etc. is a condition of national consolidation.

Keywords: Kyrgyzstan, historical-cultural space, intangible cultural heritage, folk art crafts, epic tradition, national identity