HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INTERACTION BETWEEN KYRGYZSTAN AND FRANCE THROUGH THE PRISM OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Abstract

The article examines the historical and cultural interaction between the Kyrgyz Republic and the French Republic through the prism of diplomatic relations. The analysis covers the period from the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992 to the present day, focusing on key agreements, official visits, and institutional mechanisms of cultural cooperation. Special attention is given to the role of the Alliance Française, the French Institute for Central Asian Studies (IFEAC), educational programs, French government scholarships, and Erasmus+ initiatives, as well as cultural events, including the Week of Francophonie. For the first time in the context of Kyrgyz-French relations, the problems of cultural exchange—such as insufficient funding, language barriers, and limited public awareness—are systematically analyzed, along with prospects and specific measures for their resolution. The study concludes that cultural diplomacy holds significant potential for strengthening mutual understanding and promoting educational and humanitarian cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and France.