Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Living Memory of the People

The State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after Abylkhan Kasteev, in accordance with Resolution 42 C/34 adopted at the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held a round table titled *“Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Eternal Image of the National Spirit”* to mark the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage on October 17.

The event was attended by students of the Faculty of History of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, specializing in “6B02213 — Museology and Historical-Cultural Tourism,” “6B02211 — Ethnology and Anthropology,” and “6B02206 — Museum Studies and Monument Protection.”

The purpose of the event was to preserve and widely promote intangible cultural heritage, as well as to ensure the participation of the general public, students, cultural specialists, and researchers.

Speakers of the round table included representatives of UNESCO, domestic scholars and public figures, as well as museum researchers.

The main topics discussed at the round table were:

• The concept of “intangible cultural heritage” according to the 2003 UNESCO Convention;
• Elements of Kazakhstan’s intangible cultural heritage inscribed on the UNESCO list;
• Current risks and challenges in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage;
• The role of museums, local communities, and youth in transmitting and preserving cultural memory.

During the event, students actively participated and shared their opinions on the topics discussed.