ICHCAP

The Residency Program for Kyrgyz Craftspeople, KG-KR Crafts Connect, jointly conducted by the Korea Heritage Service (Administrator Choi Eung-chun) and the UNESCO ICHCAP (Director-General Kim Ji-Sung), has been successfully completed.

This program is part of the ODA Project for Promoting Cultural Tourism through Capacity Building in Production and Digital Marketing of Traditional Crafts in the Kyrgyz Republic, led by the Korea Heritage Service. Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, the project selected eight Kyrgyz artisans with exceptional skills in traditional crafts. These artisans participated in the residency program in Korea from September 2024 for approximately three months.

During the program, the artisans collaborated with Korean craft artists based at the Cultural Manufacturing Complex in Cheongju, supported by the Cheongju Cultural Industry Promotion Foundation and Cheongju City. They shared various craft techniques and cultural values, fostering meaningful exchanges. The artisans also toured major workshops and craft-related institutions across Korea, gaining a deep understanding of traditional and contemporary Korean crafts.

Notably, the artisans showcased their collaborative works at the 2024 Craft Trend Fair held in December at COEX, Seoul. This exhibition was a resounding success, drawing over 2,000 visitors to the booth over four days and capturing the attention of both the public and industry professionals.

As the first case of an invitation-based training program under this ODA project, it is anticipated to serve as a successful model for future collaborations between the two countries. Running from 2023 to 2026, the project is designed to enhance bilateral cultural ties and contribute to the revitalization of cultural tourism in Kyrgyzstan through the promotion of traditional crafts.

Director-General Kim Ji-sung remarked, “This residency program provided a valuable opportunity to deepen mutual understanding and exchange between the craft cultures of Korea and Kyrgyzstan. We look forward to seeing the participating artisans play important roles in their local communities upon their return.”

The artisans have pledged to use the experiences and inspiration gained during the residency to contribute to the advancement of traditional crafts and continue their collaboration with Korean artists.

This program is highly regarded as a representative case of international cultural cooperation, contributing to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and laying the groundwork for revitalizing the cultural tourism industry through crafts.