KÜLTÜR EKONOMİSİ VE TURİZMİ EKSENİNDE KIRGIZLARDA KİYİZ (KEÇE).

Felt, one of the primary handicrafts of the Turks, stands as a significant cultural relic for the enduringly nomadic Kyrgyz populace. The art of felting to be up-to-date and popular in today's Kyrgyz society with its variety of uses by adapting to the dynamics of the modern age. Therefore, it is important to examine the evolution of felt in Kyrgyz culture from the past to the present and explore the areas where the tradition of felting is sustained in the modern era. Felt is one of the oldest handcrafts in Kyrgyz culture, and it plays a crucial role in preserving tradition, sustaining culture, and promoting cultural diversity and sustainability. Moreover, embroidery on felt items conveys information about Kyrgyz history, philosophy, lifestyle, mentality, and values. In this context, the present research endeavors to shed light on the role of felt in Kyrgyzstan's cultural economy and tourism, tracking its evolution from the past to the present day. In other words, it examines the significance of felt within Kyrgyz culture, the transformation of felt-based items, and their impact on contemporary Kyrgyz culture, economy, and tourism. To effectively investigate these aspects, printed sources related to the study were reviewed. Then, the data obtained through field research were analyzed in order to show the current appearance of felt. The findings underscore that the tradition of felting serves diverse practical functions in Kyrgyz society, thus explaining the continued usage of felt to this day. Furthermore, it was observed that the evolution and transformation of the felting tradition have made substantial contributions to the nation's cultural economy and tourism sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]