The Role Of The Unesco-Supported Balacan Children's Club in Folklore Education

With the proliferation of mass media and the influence of popular culture, traditional folkloric elements are fading into obscurity in Kyrgyz society. Playing komuz, performing folk dances, and making felt decorative items and clothing called kiyiz, which are important to the Kyrgyz people, are known to few today. This study aims to examine the efforts of the Balacan Children's Club in Kyrgyzstan to preserve cultural heritage through educational activities for children and young people, focusing on folkloric elements at risk of extinction. The research will analyze the pedagogical approaches used by the club in teaching folklore, which encompasses handicrafts, music, and folk dances, and examine the sociocultural impact of these activities on young participants. Methodologically, the study will involve active participation in the club's workshops in Bishkek, facilitating the collection of qualitative data through video and audio recordings. Data sources will include field observations, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation, after which the data will be analyzed using content analysis techniques. In line with the findings, contributions to the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage and the importance of the effectiveness of child-centered education models in preserving Kyrgyz folklore and transmitting it to future generations will be demonstrated in the study.