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ASPARA

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ASPARA

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April 22.2026

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On April 22, 2026, the first Management Board Meeting of the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) was held in Taraz, Kazakhstan.

The meeting marked an important step in the institutional development of ECCD, establishing a foundation for its governance structure, program activities, and international cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the founding members of ECCD, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the initial stage of the Council’s development.

During the session, members of the Management Board were introduced, and their roles across different regions were outlined, reflecting the international scope of the Council.

Key agenda items included:

— adoption of the meeting agenda

— acceptance of new members and expansion of the ECCD network

— establishment of the Management Board structure

— initiation of committee work in key areas of activity

Particular attention was given to strategic priorities, including:

— educational initiatives focused on craft branding and access to international markets

— the development of a recognition framework for contributions to craft heritage

Operational matters were also addressed, including the approval of the official ECCD stamp and initial financial structuring.

“ECCD is being formed not as a formal structure, but as a working platform where craft and design become part of a unified international system. The key task now is not only to build the structure, but to give it real substance through people, projects, and collaboration,”

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev, Co-founder of ECCD, President of ASPARA FASHION WEEK

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building a sustainable international platform connecting craft, design, and the creative industries across Eurasia.

ECCD General Conference

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ECCD General Conference in Taraz: Official Launch of an International Platform

Taraz, Kazakhstan — April 22, 2026

On the afternoon of April 22, 2026, the General Conference of the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) took place in Taraz, marking the public presentation and official launch of the Council as an international platform.

The conference brought together ECCD founding members, invited guests, artisans, designers, and representatives of the media.

Introducing ECCD: From Concept to System

The conference opened with the presentation of ECCD as an international platform aimed at connecting craft, design, and the creative industries across Eurasia.

The key directions of ECCD activity were outlined, including:

— development of international cooperation

— launch of educational and professional programs

— support for artisans and designers in accessing international markets

— creation of a sustainable professional ecosystem

Particular emphasis was placed on ECCD’s role in bridging traditional craft practices with contemporary creative industries and the global economy.

Founding Members

The conference was attended by ECCD founding members representing different countries:

— Dilek Taşdemir Kalkan (Netherlands)

— Zeynep Aslıhan Sarı (Türkiye)

— Aziz Murtazaev (Uzbekistan)

— Eldar Attokurov (Kyrgyz Republic)

— Dameli Zhanasheva (Kazakhstan)

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev (Kazakhstan)

Their participation reflected the international nature of ECCD and a shared commitment to building a new professional platform.

Building an International Network

A key moment of the conference was the awarding of official certificates.

Certificates were presented to:

— country representatives engaged in the development of ECCD

— the first approved members of the Council

This marked the beginning of ECCD’s international network and the transition toward active collaboration with the professional community.

Recognition Ceremony: Honoring Legacy

A significant part of the program was dedicated to recognizing contributions to craft heritage.

Awards were presented posthumously to the families of outstanding мастers:

— Rimma Nurtayeva (Kazakhstan), felt craft master

— Sharafiddin Yusupov (Uzbekistan), ceramics master

— Ibrohim Mirzoev (Tajikistan), bladesmith

A special recognition was given to a living legend of craft:

Kymbat Baymatova (Kyrgyz Republic), felt craft master

This moment underscored the continuity of generations and deep respect for the мастers who shape the cultural foundation of craft.

Open Dialogue

The conference concluded with a Q&A session, during which ECCD founders engaged directly with participants.

This allowed for:

— clarification of participation formats

— discussion of ECCD’s future development

— establishment of direct dialogue with the professional community

From Structure to Action

The General Conference in Taraz marked not only a presentation, but the official launch of ECCD as an operating international platform.

“ECCD is being formed not as a formal institution, but as a working platform where craft and design become part of a unified international system. The key task now is not only to build the structure, but to give it real substance through people, projects, and collaboration,”

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev, Co-founder of ECCD, President of ASPARA FASHION WEEK

The next stage of ECCD development will focus on implementing international projects, expanding its network, and building sustainable professional connections.

April 22.2026

T

a

r

a

z


On April 22, 2026, the first Management Board Meeting of the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) was held in Taraz, Kazakhstan.

The meeting marked an important step in the institutional development of ECCD, establishing a foundation for its governance structure, program activities, and international cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the founding members of ECCD, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the initial stage of the Council’s development.

During the session, members of the Management Board were introduced, and their roles across different regions were outlined, reflecting the international scope of the Council.

Key agenda items included:

— adoption of the meeting agenda

— acceptance of new members and expansion of the ECCD network

— establishment of the Management Board structure

— initiation of committee work in key areas of activity

Particular attention was given to strategic priorities, including:

— educational initiatives focused on craft branding and access to international markets

— the development of a recognition framework for contributions to craft heritage

Operational matters were also addressed, including the approval of the official ECCD stamp and initial financial structuring.

“ECCD is being formed not as a formal structure, but as a working platform where craft and design become part of a unified international system. The key task now is not only to build the structure, but to give it real substance through people, projects, and collaboration,”

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev, Co-founder of ECCD, President of ASPARA FASHION WEEK

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building a sustainable international platform connecting craft, design, and the creative industries across Eurasia.

April 22.2026

T

a

r

a

z


On April 22, 2026, the first Management Board Meeting of the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) was held in Taraz, Kazakhstan.

The meeting marked an important step in the institutional development of ECCD, establishing a foundation for its governance structure, program activities, and international cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the founding members of ECCD, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the initial stage of the Council’s development.

During the session, members of the Management Board were introduced, and their roles across different regions were outlined, reflecting the international scope of the Council.

Key agenda items included:

— adoption of the meeting agenda

— acceptance of new members and expansion of the ECCD network

— establishment of the Management Board structure

— initiation of committee work in key areas of activity

Particular attention was given to strategic priorities, including:

— educational initiatives focused on craft branding and access to international markets

— the development of a recognition framework for contributions to craft heritage

Operational matters were also addressed, including the approval of the official ECCD stamp and initial financial structuring.

“ECCD is being formed not as a formal structure, but as a working platform where craft and design become part of a unified international system. The key task now is not only to build the structure, but to give it real substance through people, projects, and collaboration,”

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev, Co-founder of ECCD, President of ASPARA FASHION WEEK

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building a sustainable international platform connecting craft, design, and the creative industries across Eurasia.

ECCD General Conference

T

a

r

a

z


ECCD General Conference in Taraz: Official Launch of an International Platform

Taraz, Kazakhstan — April 22, 2026

On the afternoon of April 22, 2026, the General Conference of the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) took place in Taraz, marking the public presentation and official launch of the Council as an international platform.

The conference brought together ECCD founding members, invited guests, artisans, designers, and representatives of the media.

Introducing ECCD: From Concept to System

The conference opened with the presentation of ECCD as an international platform aimed at connecting craft, design, and the creative industries across Eurasia.

The key directions of ECCD activity were outlined, including:

— development of international cooperation

— launch of educational and professional programs

— support for artisans and designers in accessing international markets

— creation of a sustainable professional ecosystem

Particular emphasis was placed on ECCD’s role in bridging traditional craft practices with contemporary creative industries and the global economy.

Founding Members

The conference was attended by ECCD founding members representing different countries:

— Dilek Taşdemir Kalkan (Netherlands)

— Zeynep Aslıhan Sarı (Türkiye)

— Aziz Murtazaev (Uzbekistan)

— Eldar Attokurov (Kyrgyz Republic)

— Dameli Zhanasheva (Kazakhstan)

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev (Kazakhstan)

Their participation reflected the international nature of ECCD and a shared commitment to building a new professional platform.

Building an International Network

A key moment of the conference was the awarding of official certificates.

Certificates were presented to:

— country representatives engaged in the development of ECCD

— the first approved members of the Council

This marked the beginning of ECCD’s international network and the transition toward active collaboration with the professional community.

Recognition Ceremony: Honoring Legacy

A significant part of the program was dedicated to recognizing contributions to craft heritage.

Awards were presented posthumously to the families of outstanding мастers:

— Rimma Nurtayeva (Kazakhstan), felt craft master

— Sharafiddin Yusupov (Uzbekistan), ceramics master

— Ibrohim Mirzoev (Tajikistan), bladesmith

A special recognition was given to a living legend of craft:

Kymbat Baymatova (Kyrgyz Republic), felt craft master

This moment underscored the continuity of generations and deep respect for the мастers who shape the cultural foundation of craft.

Open Dialogue

The conference concluded with a Q&A session, during which ECCD founders engaged directly with participants.

This allowed for:

— clarification of participation formats

— discussion of ECCD’s future development

— establishment of direct dialogue with the professional community

From Structure to Action

The General Conference in Taraz marked not only a presentation, but the official launch of ECCD as an operating international platform.

“ECCD is being formed not as a formal institution, but as a working platform where craft and design become part of a unified international system. The key task now is not only to build the structure, but to give it real substance through people, projects, and collaboration,”

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev, Co-founder of ECCD, President of ASPARA FASHION WEEK

The next stage of ECCD development will focus on implementing international projects, expanding its network, and building sustainable professional connections.

ECCD General Conference

T

a

r

a

z


ECCD General Conference in Taraz: Official Launch of an International Platform

Taraz, Kazakhstan — April 22, 2026

On the afternoon of April 22, 2026, the General Conference of the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design (ECCD) took place in Taraz, marking the public presentation and official launch of the Council as an international platform.

The conference brought together ECCD founding members, invited guests, artisans, designers, and representatives of the media.

Introducing ECCD: From Concept to System

The conference opened with the presentation of ECCD as an international platform aimed at connecting craft, design, and the creative industries across Eurasia.

The key directions of ECCD activity were outlined, including:

— development of international cooperation

— launch of educational and professional programs

— support for artisans and designers in accessing international markets

— creation of a sustainable professional ecosystem

Particular emphasis was placed on ECCD’s role in bridging traditional craft practices with contemporary creative industries and the global economy.

Founding Members

The conference was attended by ECCD founding members representing different countries:

— Dilek Taşdemir Kalkan (Netherlands)

— Zeynep Aslıhan Sarı (Türkiye)

— Aziz Murtazaev (Uzbekistan)

— Eldar Attokurov (Kyrgyz Republic)

— Dameli Zhanasheva (Kazakhstan)

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev (Kazakhstan)

Their participation reflected the international nature of ECCD and a shared commitment to building a new professional platform.

Building an International Network

A key moment of the conference was the awarding of official certificates.

Certificates were presented to:

— country representatives engaged in the development of ECCD

— the first approved members of the Council

This marked the beginning of ECCD’s international network and the transition toward active collaboration with the professional community.

Recognition Ceremony: Honoring Legacy

A significant part of the program was dedicated to recognizing contributions to craft heritage.

Awards were presented posthumously to the families of outstanding мастers:

— Rimma Nurtayeva (Kazakhstan), felt craft master

— Sharafiddin Yusupov (Uzbekistan), ceramics master

— Ibrohim Mirzoev (Tajikistan), bladesmith

A special recognition was given to a living legend of craft:

Kymbat Baymatova (Kyrgyz Republic), felt craft master

This moment underscored the continuity of generations and deep respect for the мастers who shape the cultural foundation of craft.

Open Dialogue

The conference concluded with a Q&A session, during which ECCD founders engaged directly with participants.

This allowed for:

— clarification of participation formats

— discussion of ECCD’s future development

— establishment of direct dialogue with the professional community

From Structure to Action

The General Conference in Taraz marked not only a presentation, but the official launch of ECCD as an operating international platform.

“ECCD is being formed not as a formal institution, but as a working platform where craft and design become part of a unified international system. The key task now is not only to build the structure, but to give it real substance through people, projects, and collaboration,”

— Aidarkhan Kaliyev, Co-founder of ECCD, President of ASPARA FASHION WEEK

The next stage of ECCD development will focus on implementing international projects, expanding its network, and building sustainable professional connections.

Contacts

Leadership

About Eurasian Council for Craft and Design

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