News

The Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) under the auspices of UNESCO and the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO successfully co-organized the 21st EIU Photo Class at Ilim Educational Complex in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic from 22 to 29 September 2024. Under the theme "Gifts from the Tian Shan: Nature, Culture, and Life", the programme brought together 8 Korean secondary school students and 20 students from the Kyrgyz Republic to promote youth exchange and cultural understanding between the two countries.

Under the guidance of professional photographers Jae Hoon KANG, Yongye YU, and Artur AKHMETCHIN, the participating students captured the diverse cultural heritage and natural landscapes of the Kyrgyz Republic through their lenses. They conducted field photography sessions at various locations, including the Burana Tower of the medieval city of Balasagun, the majestic Ala-Archa National Park in the Tian Shan mountains, and the Supara Ethno-Complex, where traditional lifestyle can be experienced.

The students had the opportunity to directly experience the unique living culture of the Kyrgyz Republic through intangible cultural heritage activities, particularly traditional felt craft making. By beating and rolling wool using traditional methods to create felt, students gained firsthand insight into the wisdom and artistry of nomadic life that has existed in harmony with nature. This hands-on experience allowed students to move beyond observation to active participation, providing them with a deeper understanding of Kyrgyz traditional culture.

In addition to field activities, the programme included various indoor sessions such as cultural exchange activities and workshop on Global Citizenship Education. Participants went beyond merely acquiring photography skills, fostering qualities as global citizens through communication with students from different cultural backgrounds.

The week-long programme culminated in a photo exhibition at the Gapar Aitiev Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts on 29 September 2024. The exhibition was attended by esteemed organizers and distinguished guests including Dr. Hyun Mook Lim, Director of APCEIU, Ms. Sabira Soltongeldieva, Secretary-General of the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO, H.E. Mr. Kwang Jae Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kyrgyz Republic and Ms. Aigul Mamytkazieva, Director of the National Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibited works, capturing the Kyrgyz Republic's nature, culture, and people through the fresh perspective of young photographers, received enthusiastic responses from visitors.

To further disseminate the outcomes of this Photo Class, APCEIU plans to publish a photo book featuring selected works and make them available on its online archive (photoclass.unescoapceiu.org) as educational resources.

The EIU Photo Class, which has been conducted in 20 countries since its inception in the Philippines in 2006, has established itself as APCEIU's flagship youth exchange programmes. APCEIU will continue its efforts to promote understanding of cultural diversity in the Asia-Pacific region and foster global citizenship among youth through the medium of photography.

URL: https://www.unescoapceiu.org/post/5188