International Call for Entries for “Planet of Art 2026” Launched, Focusing on Women’s Role in Safeguarding UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

The “Planet of Art 2026” International Youth Festival, under the theme “Honouring Women’s Role in Safeguarding and Transmitting Intangible Cultural Heritage,” is organized by the National Federation of UNESCO Clubs of Kazakhstan in cooperation with the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations. This cultural and artistic event will be held to mark the 80th anniversary of UNESCO’s founding and the 45th anniversary of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations.

The festival was first established in Kazakhstan in 1999 at UNESCO’s initiative and has since attracted more than 90,000 participants from 40 countries. Since 2018, following the merger of the arts and music divisions of the UNESCO Clubs Federation, the event has been held in a new format under the title “Planet of Art.”

Supporting Artistic Talent and Promoting Cultural Heritage

The project’s main objective is to support the artistic talents of children and young people, expand opportunities for different forms of artistic self-expression, and strengthen international humanitarian cooperation by introducing and promoting UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage.

The 2026 edition places special emphasis on women’s role in transmitting traditional knowledge and safeguarding cultural heritage as bearers, custodians and transmitters of cultural traditions. Other objectives include promoting peace and mutual understanding through culture and the arts; supporting the creativity of children and young people; providing equal opportunities for children from disadvantaged regions and vulnerable groups to participate; promoting cultural diversity; safeguarding and reinterpreting UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage in contemporary contexts; strengthening intercultural dialogue; and developing international cooperation.

The festival is held with the support of the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan and ICESCO.

Participation Requirements and Themes

Participation is open and entirely free of charge to all children and young people aged 3 to 18, with no limit on the number of entries submitted by each country. Participants may submit their works using any technique and in any size.

Submitted works must address women’s role in safeguarding, transmitting and promoting elements of intangible cultural heritage inscribed on UNESCO’s lists. Key themes highlighted by the festival include intergenerational transmission of knowledge, the sustainability of cultural traditions, cultural diversity, and the importance of women in safeguarding living cultural heritage.

Three Stages of the Festival

The festival will take place in three stages:

Stage One: Receipt of entries and international selection from 10 March to 10 May 2026. The submission deadline has been extended to 15 June 2026.

Stage Two: The festival final will be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in September 2026.

Stage Three: International presentation of the selected works at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in October 2026.

Participants must submit their works to the Secretariat of the National Federation of UNESCO Clubs of Kazakhstan by 15 June 2026. Original works may be sent by post or international courier services.

If physical delivery is difficult, digital submissions may also be sent by email. Files must be in JPG or JPEG format and between 2 and 10 MB in size. In addition to submitting their work, participants are required to complete the application form in English and sign the copyright transfer form.

Exhibition of Selected Works at UNESCO Headquarters

According to the organizers, finalists will be invited to Kazakhstan to participate in an educational and cultural program. The program will include specialized art workshops, educational sessions, the final exhibition, an awards ceremony and the unveiling of an album featuring selected works.

The festival’s highlight will be an international exhibition of selected works at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in October 2026, coinciding with the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage on 17 October. The exhibition will provide an opportunity to present the work of young artists to a global audience and strengthen cultural dialogue among countries.

The Secretariat of the “Planet of Art 2026” International Youth Festival is based at the National Federation of UNESCO Clubs of Kazakhstan. For further information, interested participants may contact the organizers by email at art.kazfuca@gmail.com or visit the event’s official website.