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Aitysh, art of improvisation marks_1
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  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00002294
    Country Kyrgyzstan
    ICH Domain Oral traditions and representations Performing Arts Social practices, rituals, festive events
    Address
    All regions of Kyrgyzstan
    Year of Designation 2008
Description Aitysh is an improvised competition of two akyns (epic tellers), the form of oral poetry performed in a singing manner, poetic contest of improvisations or a poetic duel of wits. The element is performed to the accompaniment of traditional musical instrument - Kyrgyz komuz. Two akyns compete with each other in improvisation of verses on topical themes in a wit-sparkling manner alternating humour and deep philosophic reflections. During the competition two akyns sitting opposite each other develop a song-like dialogue catching up the opponent’s words and performing in turn their improvisations on the spur of the moment. Songs performed during the aitysh are improvised on whatever topics which come up depending on the wish of the audience. The winner of the competition is the one considered to have demonstrated the most musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit.
Social and cultural significance The element as an oral dialogic art has important social and cultural functions and meaning. Being a traditional form of Kyrgyz oral cultural heritage and reflecting at the same time new contemporary trends, It fits the context of our epoch implementing the function of spreading topical information among the communities. Today the element is a living form not only of performing arts but also an important platform for social communication between different representatives of communities. People highly appreciate practitioners of the element, whose poetic improvisations reflect folk aspirations and current problems and realities. The most meaningful and witty expressions of performers are learned and quoted by people. Today, the element is very popular as a cultural component of multi-ethnic society and is an essential part of the element bearers’ communities and their identity. Having a life-asserting and optimistic nature, the element embodies the unity of culture and life, reflects the human spiritual world and social relations. As an essential part of social life, the element has important social functions enhancing the formation of national and cultural identity, broadening people’s outlook, fostering integration, interaction and mutual enrichment of cultures, strengthening the spiritual potential and humanitarian nature of Kyrgyz culture. The element performers demonstrate publicly their philosophic reflections and propagate the ideas of tolerance, peace and respect to the universal human values.
Transmission method In Kyrgyzstan there are schools-studios where the bearers and practitioners transmit their knowledge and skills to young people by traditional method “from teachers to the followers”. The schools-studios transmit this oral art to young people (practical trainings, instructions, demonstrations) and also teach them to play Kyrgyz komuz. Akyns are recognized by people only after they pass publicly the aitysh examinations. It is an excellent experience for akyns. Almost all akyns started their creative way by participating in such performances. Competitions of young performers with well-known akyns determine their further creative destiny; evaluation of their talent by listeners and the elder akyns confirms the akyn status of young performers. Texts of poetic improvisations by well-known akyns are included in school educational programs in order to transmit the element to young generations.
Community The community in Kyrgyzstan concerned Aitysh are tokmo-akyns. They are represented by the Public Foundation "Aitysh". Great contribution to preservation of the element is made also by representatives of Aitysh art researches organisations: Cultural Research Center "Aigine", Institutes of the National Academy of Science (Kyrgyzstan) and overall population of Kyrgyzstan as an audience.
Type of UNESCO List Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Incribed year in UNESCO List 2015
Keyword
Information source
National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO
https://en.unesco.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/information
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