Press release
A master class on the felt weaving was held in Karakalpakstan
From 29 October to 6 November 2019, the UNESCO Office in Tashkent, in close cooperation with the Karakalpak branch of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, conducted practical trainings and a master class for young craftspeople and masters of Karakalpakstan in the felt weaving. The events took place in Nukus, Shumanay and Muynak.
Karakalpakstan has a unique and rich cultural heritage. It includes ancient architectural monuments, folklore, customs and traditional crafts. With globalization and modernization, many crafts are in danger of disappearing, so it is important to safeguard and promote traditional crafts.
The main purpose of the trainings and master class was to train about 55 young craftspeople and masters in traditional felt weaving using new ornamental techniques reflecting the culture of Karakalpakstan.
The capacity-building activities was conducted by Mr. Batsaikhan Tseyen-Oidov, an international expert and master in traditional felting and professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
Trainings and master class conducted within the framework of the UN Joint Programme called "Building the resilience of the communities affected by the Aral Sea disaster through a multi-partner fund for human security fund for the Aral Sea region". The objective of the UNESCO Office in Tashkent under this Programme is to promote sustainable livelihoods of the local community, namely through the development of sustainable tourism and traditional crafts, as well as the promotion of cultural and natural heritage of Karakalpakstan.
