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UNESCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized the launch of a documentary film dedicated to the Karakalpak traditional musical instrument Kobyz and the Zhyrau performance in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (). The event took place on 6 March 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Tashkent Hotel. This initiative was part of the project “Urgent Safeguarding of Making of the Traditional Musical Instrument Kobyz and its Traditions of Zhyrau Performance”, aimed at protecting and promoting the living heritage of Karakalpakstan.

Karakalpakstan, a northwestern region of Uzbekistan, is known for its rich intangible cultural heritage, particularly the art of crafting the Kobyz musical instrument and the associated Zhyrau performance tradition. However, this heritage faces significant threats, including a decline in skilled artisans, limited awareness among younger generations, and challenges in safeguarding and transmitting this knowledge to future generations.

The documentary film explores the artistry behind the making of the Kobyz, a traditional musical instrument, and the Zhyrau performance, a revered oral tradition of storytelling and musical expression. Through this documentary, UNESCO and its partners celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Karakalpakstan while also offering an educational resource for future generations.

The event brought together government officials, cultural heritage experts, filmmakers, researchers, and representatives from the international community to highlight the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and fostering greater appreciation for the traditions of Kobyz and Zhyrau.

UNESCO remains committed to safeguarding and promoting the diverse cultural heritage of Uzbekistan and looks forward to sharing this inspiring documentary with the world. The activities fall under the umbrella of the project «Urgent safeguarding of the making of traditional musical instrument Kobyz and its tradition of Zhyrau performance». This project is generously funded by the Funded by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund of the UNESCO 2003 Convention. Its primary objectives are to protect the living heritage of Karakalpakstan by safeguarding the traditions of Kobyz and Zhyrau and to increase awareness of the importance of safeguarding Karakalpak living heritage, with a specific emphasis on Kobyz and Zhyrau.