INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kyrgyzstan has called for respect for its "historical and cultural heritage" after a Russian clothing brand used traditional Kyrgyz designs
and claimed copyright over them, prompting accusations of "cultural appropriation."The Central Asian country is closely allied with Moscow
but has taken steps to reinforce its national identity in recent years after many decades of dependence on former ruler Russia."Recently,
there has been an alarming trend related to the commercial use of national patterns and symbols, which are an integral part of the
historical and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan," its culture ministry said on Facebook Wednesday."The culture ministry calls on all
organizations, entrepreneurs and individual citizens to respect the historical and cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz Republic."The furor began
and including a legal warning against "copying" its designs on its website.Yaka sells a range of clothes and accessories featuring colorful
Kyrgyz patterns, describing them as "modern ethno-chic."It also sells "shyrdaks," traditional felt rugs native to Kyrgyzstan that are
sometimes used as a dowry at weddings and have been included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.Some social media users
intended.Kyrgyzstan has a relatively freer media and looser controls on social networks than its authoritarian Central Asian neighbors, but
better" in an Instagram video.She later deleted the video and apologized.In an Instagram post Tuesday, she denied accusations of disrespect
towards Kyrgyz culture, saying she had worked with local craftswomen."I never said I came up with these patterns, nor did I call myself a
designer or author of the motifs," she said."I am simply a person who saw incredible beauty and wanted to share it with the world."Russian
remains an official language in Kyrgyzstan, with a segment of the population expressing pro-Russian attitudes.But others, especially among
the younger generation, have turned away from Moscow, partly due to the invasion of Ukraine and Russian authorities' often harsh treatment
