Kazakhstan Federation of UNESCO Clubs unveils art album and exhibition by young artists on world heritage in Paris
UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters hosted the presentation of an art album and exhibition featuring works by winners and finalists of the International Youth Festival The Planet of Art 2024, organized by the Kazakhstan National Federation of UNESCO Clubs (KazFUCA) with support from Kazakhstan’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, Kazinform News Agency learn from the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
This year, the festival’s fine art series focused on world cultural and natural heritage sites, as well as manifestations of the intangible cultural heritage, in alignment with Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations. Children and youth aged 3 to 18 from all continents submitted their works to the festival jury. Winners and finalists received commemorative diplomas and an opportunity to participate in a vibrant cultural and educational program in Almaty. And now a selection of the finalists’ artwork, representing 35 countries, is on display at UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters. A beautifully curated art album featuring 500 finalist works was also unveiled at the ceremony.
In his congratulatory message, Bolat Akchulakov, President of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, stated, “We are proud that our festival has, for many years, served as an effective platform for self-expression and intercultural dialogue for the children and youth from various countries. By sharing their unique perspectives on the competition theme, through their art they vividly convey both the fragility and the grandeur of our shared heritage.”
“These paintings reflect our shared cultural and natural heritage. The exhibition allows us to see these unique monuments and traditions through the eyes of the young people, urging us to ensure their preservation and promotion for future generations,” added Askar Abdrakhmanov, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to UNESCO.
“The strength of the Clubs for UNESCO movement lies in its ability to unite individuals and communities in pursuit of common goals. Through collaboration and shared passion, Clubs for UNESCO create networks that empower young people to take action, champion cultural understanding and promote sustainable development. I wish to congratulate the World and Kazakhstan National Federations of Clubs for UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to UNESCO for the initiative to organize this art exhibition,” concluded UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations Edouard Firmin Matoko.
Guests at the opening ceremony enjoyed a remarkable musical program with performances by soloists from the Turan ethno-folk ensemble, Bauyrzhan Bekmukhanbetov and Maksat Medeubek, and the Birlik dance ensemble, represented by Anel Marabaeva – all part of the Roza Baglanova State Academic Concert Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan.
The event was attended by permanent delegations of UNESCO member states, the UNESCO Secretariat, and other guests, who had the opportunity to appreciate the diverse talents of the project’s finalists and winners. The exhibition will remain on display in the international organization’ headquarters until November 18.
The International Youth Festival the Planet of Art 2024 was supported by the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ISESCO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of the city of Almaty and the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty.
