Kyrgyzstan, Iran Sign Cultural Cooperation Program for 2026-2029

Kyrgyzstan and Iran have agreed to strengthen their cultural ties through a new exchange program. The agreement, signed during the 23rd meeting of culture ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states, outlines cooperation in arts, culture, and heritage preservation from 2026 to 2029.

Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy, Mirbek Mametaliyev, met with Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Seyyed Abbas Salehi. They discussed the current state and future prospects of their cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Both ministers highlighted the significant potential for collaboration in culture, art, and the preservation of shared historical and cultural heritage.

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The program is aimed at further expanding Kyrgyz-Iranian cultural and humanitarian cooperation and provides for interaction in the fields of music, theater, cinema, library and museum affairs, preservation of historical and cultural heritage, folk art, literature, holding exhibitions, exchange of creative groups and implementation of joint cultural projects.

The program specifically focuses on increasing interactions between creative groups and cultural institutions. This includes developing cooperation in cinema, museums, libraries, and literature. A key element is the mutual translation of classic and contemporary literary works. Kyrgyzstan plans to publish works by Chingiz Aitmatov in Persian, while Iran will translate Persian literary masterpieces into Kyrgyz.

Further initiatives involve organizing mutual exhibitions and festivals, encouraging participation in international film festivals, and fostering exchanges among cultural figures. The program also designates 2026-2029 for hosting Days of Culture in both Iran and Kyrgyzstan. Officials believe these events will be crucial steps in strengthening cultural dialogue, friendship, and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

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The program provides for the holding of Days of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Days of Culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2026–2029, which will be an important step in strengthening cultural dialogue, friendship, and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two states.