Bishkek, 22 April 2024 - The Festival Create4, a flagship initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kyrgyzstan and the Association of Creative Industries, marked its second edition this year, spanning 36 locations across the country. Under the theme #JaratmanKyrgyzstan, the festival once again served as a vibrant platform for celebrating and fostering the burgeoning creative economy of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.

The Festival Create4 is not just a celebration of creativity; it’s a pivotal tool for mapping the growth points of Kyrgyzstan’s creative economy at the grassroots level, as emphasized by Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan. Solovieva remarked, “Create 4 is not only the Festival of Creative Industries of Kyrgyzstan; its mission is much wider and more powerful. It is a tool for mapping creative communities of Kyrgyzstan at the local level and co-designing tailored approaches to foster their growth, accelerate territorial development and mainstream innovative agenda in close collaboration with the grassroot partners and national stakeholders.”

The festival, which brought together over 10,000 people from various backgrounds and regions, served as a dynamic dialogue platform, encouraging collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of joint solutions, as stated by Nazgul Kubakaeva, Chair of the Association of Creative Industries. Kubakaeva highlighted, “Create4 is a platform for uniting creators and innovators from Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia to exchange experience and ideas, create joint projects, and search for joint solutions.”

This year's festival featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including luminaries such as Asel Sherniyazova, Director of Asian World Film Festival, Kyrgyzstan; Sabina Reingold, co-founder of the Jolbors festival, Kyrgyzstan; Yerkebulan Kurishbayev, General Producer of Qara Music and Founder of the Oyu Fest Youth Festival, Kazakhstan; Nail Muratov, Creative Director, Seed Agency, Kazakhstan; and Farhat Norbaev, co-founder of Lokals advertising agency, Uzbekistan.

For those unable to attend in person, Create4 provided an opportunity to engage through podcast sessions available on the YouTube channel of Lights Creative.

Beyond its cultural significance, Create4 serves as a vital platform for discussing and advancing the creative economy agenda between stakeholders from the public and private sectors, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. The festival has played a pivotal role in promoting the Creative Industries Park Law and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, with over 50 partners involved in organizing the event in 24 cities and villages of Kyrgyzstan.

The festival also contributes to promoting the national brand #JaratmanKyrgyzstan, reflecting the ethos of creativity and innovation embedded in the National Development Strategy of the country. By hosting participants from neighbouring countries and facilitating cross-border collaboration, Create4 strengthens Kyrgyzstan’s position as a regional hub for creativity and innovation.

Prehistory: Create4, initiated in 2022, has evolved into the largest festival of creative industries in Kyrgyzstan, attracting both seasoned professionals and aspiring talents. Since its inception, it has served as a catalyst for the development of Kyrgyzstan’s creative economy, fostering a supportive ecosystem for creators and innovators.

The festival's journey began with the support of the law on the Creative Industries Park, endorsed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov in 2022. Subsequent editions have seen exponential growth, with partnerships forged with institutions such as the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Programme Office in Bishkek.

Create 4 continues to inspire, empower, and connect individuals passionate about driving Kyrgyzstan’s creative economy forward. As #JaratmanKyrgyzstan gains momentum, the festival stands as a testament to the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines the nation's creative landscape.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ainagul Abdrakhmanova, UNDP Communications Officer at Ainagul.abdrakhmanova@undp.org or 0770755776. 

About UNDP Kyrgyzstan:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. In Kyrgyzstan, UNDP has been partnering with the government and people for over 30 years to address the country's most pressing development challenges.

About the Association of Creative Industries:

The Association of Creative Industries is dedicated to fostering the growth and sustainability of the creative sector in Kyrgyzstan. Through advocacy, capacity building, and networking opportunities, the association aims to create an enabling environment for creative professionals and entrepreneurs to thrive.

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