Paris, November 12, 2024 – UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters hosted the presentation of an art album and exhibition featuring works by winners and finalists of the International Youth Festival THE PLANET OF ART – 2024, organized by the Kazakhstan National Federation of Clubs for UNESCO (KazFUCA) with support of Kazakhstan’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO.

This year, the Festival’s art series focused on world cultural and natural heritage sites, as well as expressions of intangible cultural heritage, in alignment with Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the World Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO. Children and young people aged 3 to 18 from all continents submitted their work to the festival jury. Winners and finalists received commemorative diplomas and the opportunity to participate in a vibrant cultural and educational program in Almaty. A selection of the finalists’ artwork, representing 35 countries, is now on display at UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters. And a beautifully curated art album featuring 500 finalist works was also unveiled at the ceremony.

“These paintings reflect our shared cultural and natural heritage treasures. The exhibition allows us to see these unique monuments and traditions through the eyes of a new generation, calling us to ensure their preservation and promotion for future generations,” said Askar Abdrakhmanov, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, at the exhibition opening.

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General Firmin Edouard Matoko emphasized, “Cultural heritage connects the past with the future, capturing humanity’s achievements and the diversity of world histories. Festival THE PLANET OF ART – 2024 offered a remarkable opportunity to engage youth in preserving these values, bringing together participants from across the globe and inspiring new actions for sustainable development and cultural understanding”.

In a congratulatory message, Bolat Akchulakov, President of the World Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO, stated, “We are proud that our festival has, for many years, served as an effective platform for self-expression and intercultural dialogue among children and youth from diverse countries. By sharing their unique perspectives on the competition theme, they vividly convey both the fragility and grandeur of our shared heritage through their art”.

Guests at the opening ceremony enjoyed a musical program with performances by soloists from the Turan ethno-folk ensemble, Bauyrzhan Bekmukhanbetov and Maksat Medeubek, and the Birlik dance ensemble, represented by Anel Marabaeva—all part of the Roza Baglanova State Academic Concert Organization, under the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan.

The event was attended by permanent delegations of UNESCO member states, the UNESCO Secretariat, and other guests, who had the opportunity to appreciate the diverse talents of the project’s finalists and winners. The exhibition will remain on display in Paris until November 18, 2024.

General partner of the project - Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), co-partner CNPC and official partners Tengizchevroil and TotalEnergies E&P Kazakhstan.

International Youth Festival THE PLANET OF ART received support from the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of Almaty, UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, as well as the Shymbulak Mountain Resort and the “Kinoplexx & Kinopark Theatres” cinema networks.