AGP Executive Report

World Nomad Games wrap-up: Kyrgyzstan’s VI World Nomad Games ended in Cholpon-Ata with a grand concert and finals in kokpar and kok boru, drawing huge crowds and spotlighting steppe traditions as living culture. Medal-table dispute: Kyrgyz President’s press secretary Askat Alagozov says Kazakhstan was declared overall winner after a technical recount that counted medals of three Kazakh athletes separately, while stressing rivalry stayed on the field. Culture & scholarship: At Rukh Ordo in Cholpon-Ata, an international scientific conference urged joint efforts to preserve nomadic heritage, keep traditions “living,” and build digital archives and academic exchanges. Arts in Bishkek: The 11th International IMPULSE festival of small forms runs Sept 14–18 with troupes from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Russia. Cinema update: Cholpon cinema in Cholpon-Ata reopened after renovation, boosting capacity to 310 and adding 4K-ready equipment. Local crafts spotlight: A leather harness maker from Kaptal-Aryk won first place at a republican crafts competition tied to the Games. Film from Kyrgyzstan: “Cassandra” was selected to represent Kyrgyzstan at the Oscars, with filming in Bishkek and Issyk-Kul’s Ak-Terek.

Museum & Crafts: Bishkek’s National Museum of Fine Arts will host autumn master classes on traditional fabric techniques, diatype printing, calligraphy, and the history of book art, led by museum research associates as part of a Kyrgyz-Korean cultural heritage project. Theatre: Bishkek will stage the 11th International IMPULSE (MPULSE) Festival, Sept 14–18, featuring small-forms productions and monodramas from Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Nomad Games Legacy: The VI World Nomad Games wrapped up in Cholpon-Ata and Kyrgyzstan officially handed the 7th hosting baton to Russia’s Tatarstan for 2028; the Games also drew praise for hospitality and security, with 15,000 police officers deployed. Cultural Heritage Call: Scholars from 23 countries urged coordinated efforts to preserve nomadic cultural heritage and keep traditions alive for future generations. Film & Screen: Cholpon cinema reopened after renovation, adding 4K-capable equipment and expanding capacity to 310, with year-round operations. Sports-Culture Mix: A Kyrchyn gorge culinary competition crowned a Mongolian chef with the grand prize during the Games. International Music: Shakira is set to perform a solo concert in Bishkek, with organizers finalizing details.

World Nomad Games wrap-up: Kyrgyzstan’s VI World Nomad Games ended with a big cultural-sport finale in Cholpon-Ata and the Issyk-Kul region, with more than 3,000 athletes from 109 countries and over 600 cultural events. Host baton handover: Kyrgyzstan officially passed hosting of the 7th Games to Russia’s Tatarstan for 2028, with a symbolic suu-kookor presented during the closing ceremony. Medal-table drama (sportsmanship first): Kazakhstan was declared overall medal standings winner, with Kyrgyz officials stressing rivalry stayed on the field and only a technical medal-counting issue separated the teams. Steppe arts in the spotlight: The Games kept pushing living heritage—embroidery and komuz performances drew attention, including a Grand Prix for Kazakhstan’s Gulder at an ethno-dance competition. Food culture moment: An international chefs’ contest in Kyrchyn Gorge crowned a Mongolian chef as grand-prize winner. Bishkek cinema red carpet: On Sept. 7, Ala-Too Cinema hosts a free evening red carpet with international film stars and a screening of “Peter and the Wolf.”

World Nomad Games Wrap-Up: Kyrgyzstan closed the VI World Nomad Games in Cholpon-Ata after a week of traditional sports and culture, with more than 3,000 athletes from 109 countries taking part. Kok-boru & Kokpar Glory: The Kyrgyz kok-boru team crushed Kazakhstan 12:0 for gold, while in kokpar Kyrgyzstan beat Kazakhstan 7:2 for a historic win. Traditional Arts Spotlight: Embroidery master Ibarat Amangeldiev won first place, and musicians showcased the komuz and handmade instruments—while the cultural program delivered 600+ events across Kyrchyn, Rukh Ordo, and other venues. International Cinema Moment: Bishkek’s Ala-Too Cinema hosts a free red carpet on Sept 7 (5:00 PM) with guests including Bai Ling and Don “The Dragon” Wilson, plus a screening of “Peter and the Wolf.” Public Safety at the Games: Over 15,000 Kyrgyz police officers secured major events, and foreign guests praised their professionalism and help. Kyrgyz Film Breakthrough: The Kyrgyz movie “OT” became the first Kyrgyz film released on Amazon Channels in the USA.

World Nomad Games wrap-up: Kyrgyzstan’s 6th World Nomad Games ended with a huge cultural-sports finale in Issyk-Kul and Bishkek, featuring more than 3,000 athletes from 109 countries and over 600 events nationwide. Kok-boru glory: The Kyrgyz kok-boru team beat Kazakhstan 12:0 in the final, while kokpar also delivered a Kyrgyz win (7:2) and major prize money. Nomadic arts in the spotlight: Visitors were wowed by traditional performances like “tak-take” with Ayana Ruslanova, and craft showcases including “Making a Komuz” by Rinat Mambetaliyev and top embroidery work by Ibarat Amangeldiev. Open-air sculpture legacy: Sixteen monumental stone sculptures were installed at the Centre for Nomadic Civilisation in Ornok, created for the Games and set to stay as a permanent collection. International cinema night: A free red-carpet event is set for Sept 7 at Bishkek’s Ala-Too cinema, with guests including Bai Ling and Don “The Dragon” Wilson, plus a special screening of “Peter and the Wolf.” Next host baton: Kyrgyzstan officially passed the hosting baton of the 7th Games to Tatarstan, with Kazan set for 2028.

Kyrgyz Cinema Breakthrough: Radik Eshimov’s film “OT” (Burning) becomes the first Kyrgyz feature released on Amazon Channels in the USA, keeping its original language and Kyrgyz flavor after awards at Fantasia (Montreal) and recognition at festivals in Brazil, Germany, and Bishkek. World Nomad Games—Kok-boru Final: The kok-boru gold match kicks off in Cholpon-Ata as Kyrgyzstan takes on Kazakhstan, with tickets sold out and extra spectators guided into side areas. World Nomad Games—Ordo Gold: Kyrgyzstan wins the ordo competition, beating the USA to first place and Kazakhstan to third, with cash prizes awarded to top teams. Nomad Games—Music Diplomacy: “Kochmondor Sanaty” brings together artists from 38 countries, while “Echo of the Nomads” crowns Nurdoolot Derkembaev with the grand prize. Nomad Games—Stone Art: A new open-air collection of 16 monumental stone sculptures is installed at the Centre for Nomadic Civilisation in Ornok, created from Uzgen travertine. Film Industry Buzz: Directors and Hollywood guests keep talking about shooting in Kyrgyzstan—Kyrchyn Gorge is pitched as a ready-made international film location. Sports & Culture: Horseback archery concludes with medals for Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan’s traditional wrestling events add more international competition.

World Nomad Games, culture on stage: Hollywood actress Bai Lin says Kyrgyzstan feels “like home,” praising the music, nature and locals’ kindness, while cultural figure Assol Moldokmatova pushed for more world cinema stars at the VI Games after foreign guests toured the Kychyn ethnovillage. Film industry buzz: Director Erik Yalgashev wants to shoot in Bishkek and Kurchyn, pitching the gorge as a ready-made international set; he also points to Kyrgyz cinema reaching global platforms, including a film now on Amazon. Cinema honors: Altynbek Maksutov and Assol Moldokmatova urged awarding Natalia Arinbasarova the title of People’s Artist of Kyrgyzstan, citing her iconic role in “The First Teacher.” Ethnomusic spotlight: Nurdoolot Derkembaev won the Grand Prix at the “Echo of the Nomads” festival in Cholpon-Ata. Sport-meets-art: Mikhail Lopez visited the “Eurasia” yurt at Kychyn, and tug-of-war results showed Kazakhstan sweeping all three disciplines. Local life: A modern 750-student school is planned on the old bus station site in Manas. Safety at the Games: A trained golden eagle attacked a police officer, tearing off his reflective vest; a handler stopped the bird.

World Nomad Games Cultural Diplomacy: Modern Pythian Games signed an MOU with Kyrgyzstan’s Scientific Research Centre of Traditional Arts and Culture, aiming to boost research, heritage preservation, and cultural exchange during the 6th WNG. Sport Meets Culture (Australia): The Kyrgyz Football Union hosted Football Australia, with Indigenous football ambassadors linking nomadic heritage and Australian Indigenous culture. Bishkek Arena Cost Clarified: President’s press secretary Askat Alagozov denied social media claims that Bishkek Arena cost $60m or $500m, saying an audit commission is still calculating the real figure. Documentary Cinema: Vitaly Mansky discussed Algimantas Vidugiris’s lasting impact on Central Asian documentary filmmaking and a new generation of hybrid-genre creators. Music & Film Spotlight: Ecuadorian musician Leo Rojas plans a komuz fusion project after performing at Rukh Ordo, while Kyrgyz horror feature “OT (Burning)” becomes the first Kyrgyz full-length film released on Amazon Channels in the U.S. Arts on Display: “Tales of the Mountains” exhibition in Ornok showcases 90 works (45 selected paintings) tied to nomadic history, running through Sept 6. Accessibility: WNG venues are welcoming visitors with disabilities, with organized transport and staff support for a Brazilian guest in a wheelchair.

World Nomad Games Culture & Music: Ecuadorian musician Leo Rojas, now an ambassador for the VI World Nomad Games, says he plans to fuse the sound of the Kyrgyz komuz with his own traditional instruments, and he already wowed crowds with a concert at Rukh Ordo Cultural Center. Nomadic Arts on Display: In Issyk-Kul’s Ornok, “Tales of the Mountains” brings together 45 selected paintings and stone sculptures reflecting nomadic life, while another Kyrgyz artists-and-sculptors exhibition runs through Sept. 6 at the Kurmanjan Datka Center. Film Spotlight: Kyrgyz feature “OT (Burning)” becomes the first full-length Kyrgyz film released on Amazon Channels, premiering Sept. 4. Sports-Fans Logistics: Tickets for kok boru and kokpar finals are sold out; a Bayet fan zone will stream the Sept. 6 finals on big screens and TV channels. Creative Community: The “Nomads Art” traditional music festival continues at Rukh Ordo, with international performers and master classes. Local Rules: Kyrgyzstan introduced limits for sport fishing of specific fish species, and tour operators must carry mandatory liability insurance for foreign tourists.

World Nomad Games — Horse racing: The VI World Nomad Games in Cholpon-Ata kicked off with the 6,000-meter byshty zhorgo at the Cholpon-Ata hippodrome, with pacing horses and riders aged 10+ drawing big crowds. World Nomad Games — More equestrian action: Tajikistan also took first in the 1,600-meter Kunan chabysh short race, while Kyrgyzstan’s fans kept an eye on the finish line. World Nomad Games — Sambo & freestyle wrestling: Mongolia won bronze in sambo (Nerguyn Munkhbayar), and Mongolian wrestlers added two silvers and two bronzes in mass wrestling, plus bronze in freestyle (alysh). World Nomad Games — Kyrgyz kuroshu & mas-wrestling: Kyrgyz kuroshu crowned multiple Kyrgyz winners across weight classes, and mas-wrestling in Kyrchyn Gorge delivered a strong Kyrgyz haul, including golds in several categories. Culture & crafts: Dordoi-Nomad in Issyk-Kul hosted an ethno-exhibition and fair with weaving, horse harness making, ceramics, and master classes for visitors. Film festival (Bishkek): UmutDoc documentary festival returns Sept. 10–14 with screenings, author meetings, and a kurak-themed opening concept at Ala-Too cinema. International spotlight: Foreign guests praised Kyrgyz hospitality and especially kok-boru, while Don “the Dragon” Wilson called the Games “historic” and movie-worthy.

World Nomad Games Culture & Sport: Kyrgyzstan’s VI World Nomad Games keep rolling in Issyk-Kul and Bishkek, with around 800 events planned and a stronger scientific program alongside traditional competitions. Horseback archery drew crowds at Kyrchyn Gorge, where a new “Universe of Nomads” ethno-town setting added medieval-style clay-and-stone flair. Rukh Ordo in Cholpon-Ata hosted expanded Kyrgyz-traditions programming at Narc Art House, from costume and headdress master classes to weaving, kumys/chalap making, and folk games. Nomads Art festival: international traditional music sessions brought performers from across regions, including Altai–Kyrgyzstan–Mongolia throat-singing and Maori instruments. Steppe Art Moment: artisans created a snow leopard from about 3,000 alchiks (knucklebones), turning nomad dice into a wildlife-symbol installation. Medals & Results: Kyrgyzstan’s sambo success continued (Felix Ulanbekov gold in 79kg), while kok-boru and alysh wrestling delivered more podium drama. International Spotlight: Don “the Dragon” Wilson visited the Games, calling the show “historic and exciting.”

World Nomad Games Culture: The “Nomads Art” traditional music festival is underway in Cholpon-Ata at the Rukh Ordo center, bringing performers from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Canada, South Korea, Ghana, Turkey, New Zealand, Tuva, Yakutia and Dagestan, with live demonstrations, master classes, and a multi-day program of competitions and concerts. Nomadic Heritage in Action: In Kyrchyn Gorge, the Games keep blending sport and culture, with ethno-villages like “Universe of Nomads” offering crafts, shyrdaks, felt goods, national clothing, and food experiences for thousands of visitors. Kok-boru Spotlight: A Jalal-Abad resident says kok-boru is more than a game—it’s a centuries-old legacy, and the Kyrgyz vs US match drew huge interest as spectators packed the hippodrome. International Sports Moments: Kazakhstan opened its medal run at the VI World Nomad Games with gold in audaryspak, while kok-boru competitions continue across the Issyk-Kul venues. Global Stage for Kyrgyzstan: Coverage around the SCO summit and the Games has put Kyrgyzstan in the spotlight worldwide, boosting tourism interest as visitors see the country’s landscapes and nomadic culture.

World Nomad Games (WNG) Spotlight: Kazakhstan kept the medal momentum in Kyrgyzstan, winning gold in audaryspak as Nurtalap Kerim and Sailau Mukhammedzhan beat Kyrgyz rivals in the finals, while Abzal Tulebekov added another title for Kazakhstan in zhamby atu (horseback archery). Kyrgyz Culture on Stage: The “Nomads Art” festival opened in Cholpon-Ata at the Rukh-Ordo complex, with live music from the Kambarkan ensemble and a full lineup of concerts and competitions through Sept. 5. Ethno-Village Life: At Kychyn pasture, the ethno-village “Universe of Nomads” (“Köçmönдөр aalamy”) is running with hundreds of yurts, craft markets, and hands-on cultural experiences for visitors. Combat Sports in Bishkek: FIGHT NIGHTS 141 is set for Sept. 17 at the Zhashtyk arena, featuring Kyrgyz star Ruslan “Snow Leopard” Emilbek Uulu and Russian Yurik “Ferguson” Smoyan. SCO & Diplomacy (Arts Angle): Bishkek’s SCO summit also fed cultural programming, including an Ala-Archa ethno-cultural event for Kyrgyz and Pakistani traditions.

World Nomad Games Culture: “Echo of Nomads” opened at the Cholpon-Ata hippodrome, running Sept 1–4 with 21 contestants from 20 countries delivering 42 ethno-song performances; Sept 2 is Ethno-Hit Day, Sept 3 World Hit Day, and the finale on Sept 4 brings Kyrgyz and international stars. Sports Medals: Kyrgyz athletes started strong at the VI World Nomad Games, winning 1 silver and 2 bronze on Sept 1 across Mongolian wrestling, goresh, and kurash. Tourism & Economy: Tourism chief Eduard Kubatov says the sector should become Kyrgyzstan’s third income pillar and could draw about 200,000 visitors for the Games, helping shift travel from seasonal to year-round. Diplomacy Through Heritage: PM Modi’s gifts to Kyrgyz leaders included Bibek Debroy’s 10-volume English Mahabharata and a Ladakhi Tsug-dul blanket, framed as cultural bridges to Kyrgyzstan’s Epic of Manas. SCO Focus: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif urged SCO unity on “water must never be weaponised,” alongside calls for peace and connectivity.

World Nomad Games Buzz: Bishkek’s VI World Nomad Games are drawing huge online attention, with fans in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia sharing clips from the opening and praising the mix of steppe traditions and modern staging. Sport Meets Culture: The kok-boru and kokpar draws are set for Cholpon-Ata, with Kyrgyzstan placed in Group A for both disciplines as competitions begin September 2. Nomad Fest Fashion & Crafts: Nomad Fest at Issyk-Kul is gearing up with designer showcases, a duet program mixing languages, and a crafts fair—plus experimental performances by the pier. Cultural Diplomacy Gifts: At the SCO summit, India’s PM Modi presented Kyrgyz leaders with heritage gifts including a 10-volume English Mahabharata translation and Kyrgyz-relevant folk-art items, spotlighting shared epic storytelling. Arts & Heritage Spotlight: A first-ladies’ visit to Ala Archa featured an exhibition of Kyrgyz decorative and applied arts, followed by music and dance. UFC in Kyrgyzstan: Valentina Shevchenko is training in the Tian Shan ahead of her title defense and also serves as a Games ambassador. Water as a Peace Theme: PM Shehbaz Sharif told SCO leaders water must never be weaponised, framing it as the region’s lifeblood.

World Nomad Games Kick Off in Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan’s VI World Nomad Games officially opened at Bishkek Arena, with traditional sports and culture taking center stage as leaders from the SCO summit joined the ceremony. SCO Spotlight in Kyrgyzstan: PM Shehbaz Sharif attended the opening, while Xi Jinping and other heads of state were in town for the 26th SCO Summit—turning Bishkek into a major cultural and diplomatic hub. Pakistan at the Games: Sharif applauded Pakistan’s athletes as they entered the venue, underscoring the event’s role in people-to-people ties through sport. Nomadic Heritage on Display: The opening featured parades, theatrical performances, equestrian shows, and music—plus a wider mix of sports, culture, and science running through September 6. Next Host Signal: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said Russia is ready to host the next World Nomad Games in Tatarstan in 2028. Arts & Culture Human Story: A Kyrgyz artist living in China shared how she uses a palette knife to paint Chinese stories and traditions, aiming to build cultural bridges through art.