AKIPRESS.COM - Over 200 guests, including ambassadors and senior representatives from many countries, attended a cultural event hosted by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on 19 November at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The soiree showcased Kyrgyzstan’s rich cultural heritage highlighted by a performance of folk melodies by musicians from the Ustatshakirt Ensemble, established and supported by the Aga Khan Development Network.

Foreign Minister Chingiz Aidarbekov, Minister of Culture Azamat Jamankulov welcomed attendees, who included Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General, UNESCO and Ms. Fairouz Nishanova, Director, Aga Khan Music Programme.

While in Paris, Ustatshakirt musicians also conducted a master class on musical instruments and melodies of Kyrgyzstan to students and faculty members of the University of Paris Nanterre.

The Aga Khan Music Programme, through Ustatshakirt has, since 2005, been supporting programmes to revitalise local musical traditions throughout Kyrgyzstan benefitting over 7,000 school-going students by offering professional development courses for music teachers and providing instructors with musical repertoires as well as instruments for children’s ensembles.