“Central Asia as the crossroad of different cultures and part of the ancient and modern Silk Road is a region worthy to be better known of the rich cultural heritage, educated and skilled human capital and untapped economic potential,” said President and Co-Founder of the French Foundation Damira Abdrakhmanova- Ripert
By Genc Mlloja
Senior Diplomatic Editor
“The Nomad Universe” has been the last night of the 13th edition of the international Festival “Musical Encounters Between the Two Worlds”. On the evening of October 9, 2019 the last performance was held in the city of Shkodra, northern Albania. The theme of the festival organized by Argjiro was “Where Europe Meets Asia”.
“The Nomad Universe” brought together artists from Albania and Central Asia with a repertory
from the ancient Albanian instrument Lahuta played with talent by the unique women who entertained music lovers in Albania, as it is a man instrument. The two virtuouses from Central Asia, Aigerim Matayeva and Aigerim Yersainova- Shuster made the public ‘wander’ across the thousands of miles to shorten up huge distances laying between the Balkans, the Great Steppes and the Celestial Mountains thanks to Kazakh and Kyrgyz music played by the Kazakh artists on piano and traditional instruments such as kobyz, zhetigen, saz-syrnay and shan-kobyz.
The organizer of the Festival, Ilda Mara has invited the French Foundation “Univers Nomade” to cooperate to the last night of the Festival with the aim of intertwining the Albanian tradition with the Central Asian one.
Albanian Daily News could meet and talk with the President and the Co-Founder of the French Foundation, Damira Abdrakhmanova- Ripert and the two artists from Central Asia after this unique event. Pieces of the conversation are below:
Genc Mlloja: Why “Univers Nomade”? What is the purpose of your foundation?
– Damira Abdrakhmanova-Ripert: Few people in France and in Europe know Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – and even Mongolia. And it is a pity in many ways and at different extent for all parties. Central Asia as the crossroad of different cultures and part of the ancient and modern Silk Road is a region worthy to be better known of the rich cultural heritage, educated and skilled human capital and untapped economic potential.
“Univers Nomade” is a non-for-profit French organization, based in Paris, whose aim is to promote Central Asia in France and Europe. Its main mission is to develop intercultural dialogue and international cooperation in the field of traditional and modern arts.
“Univers Nomade” is a reference to the human values and cultural heritage of formerly nomadic civilization known in Central Asian and to the world of the modern nomads today we all are part of.
Proud of my Kyrgyz origins, I have co-founded “Univers Nomade” with four other women who are also native of Central Asia: Infira Osmond, Aigerim Mataeva – Blanchard, Aigerim Yersainova-Shuster and Natalia Krasavtseva – Bellehchili. Together we share a genuine passion for arts and culture in addition to a strong will to make our native region be better known in France and Europe. Driven by the same ambition to fulfill our mission we mobilize our respective expertise in economic diplomacy, international relations, arts and music, intercultural dialogue, tourism and logistics as well as in complex project management.
G. Mlloja: How have you ‘found’ Albania? Why have you chosen a repertory of classical authors and traditional ones? Why is so important to you to transmit and promote your tradition?
Aigerim Matayeva: I liked a lot the people, their kindness and hospitality. I also loved the nature, mountains and lakes which remind me a lot of my Kazakhstan. I have chosen this repertory because I play more classic music, but I also wanted to show the diversity of central Asian music. I think it’s the interesting mix for the public to listen to the piano music in different styles.
I love my country, I’m proud to be a Kazakh. I live in France now, and I want that European people discover my country, our beautiful traditions and culture.
G. Mlloja: You perfomed last night several instruments. Why is so important to you to transmit your tradition?
Aigerim Yersainova- Shuster: I play the Kobyz, a Kazakh instrument from the 7th century, which is a predecessor of the violin. It is important to me to convey the beauty of our ancient traditions and culture through our instruments. I want the world to know and see the contributions made by Kazakh instruments and musical traditions. I am also enriched by performing alongside talented musicians playing other traditional instruments, for example, the lahute, which is very similar to the Kobyz and new to me.
