The ECO Cultural Institute has announced the publication of the eighth issue of “ECOnameh”, its cultural and analytical monthly magazine, for Ordibehesht 1405 (May 2026).
According to the Public Relations Department of the ECO Cultural Institute, this latest issue continues the magazine’s regular publication cycle and focuses on the introduction and analysis of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The issue has been organized into four main sections.
The first section presents and examines the cultural heritage of ten ECO member countries, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This section features a diverse collection of historical monuments, rituals, arts, and cultural traditions from across the region. Topics include Gandhara art and the Ikhtiyaruddin Citadel in Afghanistan; the Ateshgah of Baku and the mausoleum towers of Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan; and Iran’s Soltaniyeh Dome, Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, Radif music, Ta’zieh performance art, Chogan, miniature painting, Khayyam’s quatrains, and Persian culinary traditions.
The section also explores traditional customs of Kazakhstan, wedding ceremonies in Kyrgyzstan, the national instrument Komuz, Baltit Fort, Urdu language and literature, the Basant festival and traditional wrestling in Pakistan, the musical and theatrical traditions of Pamir in Tajikistan, Topkapi Palace, Hidirellez celebrations and Turkish cuisine, the historical sites of Nisa, Merv, and Kunya-Urgench in Turkmenistan, as well as Bukhara, Khiva, Shahrisabz, calligraphy art, and traditional festivals of Uzbekistan.
The second section is dedicated to the recent activities and cultural events of the ECO Cultural Institute. Highlights include the donation of 800 books to the Encyclopedia of Islam Foundation, the Institute’s congratulatory message on Shiraz Day, expert meetings for the preparation of the 2026 programs, an iftar reception attended by ambassadors of ECO member states and Iranian and international officials, and the introduction ceremony of the new representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Institute.
The third section, a special feature on Kazakhstan, focuses on two key topics: the role of weaving art in the cultural and social life of Kazakhstan, and the cultural, social, and economic position of women in Kazakhstan and other ECO member countries.
The fourth section provides an overview of cultural events, programs, and news from ECO member states during April 2026. It includes reports on the International Traditional Wrestling Festival in Kabul, art exhibitions in Azerbaijan and Türkiye, the Persian Gulf Festival in Hormozgan, the “Dance of the Pen” calligraphy exhibition in Mashhad, the Eurasia Book Fair in Astana, cultural events in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, the return of a 1,500-year-old historical statue from the United States to Türkiye, and the Lezgi Dance Festival in Khiva. The section also contains a calendar of upcoming cultural events across ECO countries through June 2026.
Interested readers can access the digital edition of this issue through the link below. The full PDF version of the magazine is also available on the Institute’s official website.
The ECO Cultural Institute expressed hope that the publication of this issue of ECOnameh will contribute to strengthening cultural convergence, expanding civilizational interactions, and enhancing mutual understanding among the peoples of the region through their shared cultural heritage.