Winners of the international youth festival under the patronage of UNESCO “THE PLANET OF ART 2026” honoured In Almaty

The festival is organised by the Kazakhstan National Federation of Clubs for UNESCO and the World Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO (WFUCA), in collaboration with the Almaty Museum of Arts. In 2026, the festival is dedicated to the theme "The Role of Women in Safeguarding and Promoting UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage" and marks the 80th anniversary of UNESCO and the 45th anniversary of the World Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO (WFUCA). Thousands of children and young artists aged 3 to 18 from 54 countries took part in the competition. Following the jury's selection, approximately 400 international participants advanced to the final, presenting artworks that highlighted the role of women as guardians of traditions and the cultural memory of peoples.

"Bringing together more than 100,000 participants from over 90 countries, THE PLANET OF ART has demonstrated that art is not merely a form of self-expression, but also a tool for international dialogue and the preservation of cultural heritage. Its core mission is to nurture a generation that not only values its own culture but also respects the cultural diversity of the world. Lasting peace begins with this kind of mutual understanding," said Mr. Bolat Akchulakov, President of the World and Kazakhstan Federations of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO.

The project is exclusively social in nature, providing all participants, regardless of their social background or place of residence, with equal opportunities to showcase their talent and work with leading figures in Kazakhstan's art scene, free of charge. This has been made possible through the support of the project's Official Partner, Tengizchevroil, and Co-Partners TotalEnergies E&P Kazakhstan and Freedom Holding Corp., through the Freedom Shapagat Corporate Foundation.

From 10 to 13 October, an extensive cultural and educational programme was organised in Almaty for the festival finalists. It included a plein-air art session at Shymbulak Mountain Resort -Club for UNESCO, featuring Envoys of Clubs for UNESCO in Kazakhstan Ms. Aigerim Karibayeva and Mr. Sayan Baigaliyev, as well as guided tours of the A. Kasteyev National Museum of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Almaty Museum of Arts.