In accordance with the instruction of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to develop tourism as one of the key drivers of the economy and to strengthen national identity, large-scale projects for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage and the development of international cooperation are being implemented in the North Kazakhstan Region.

From August 11 to 17 of this year, the region became a venue for a series of international events in the fields of tourism, culture, education, and youth policy.

The region was visited on a working trip by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev, representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Information, as well as the leadership of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. Yermek Kosherbayev familiarized himself with the exhibitions and spoke with scientists from three countries, young archaeologists, artists from 12 states, and representatives of foreign delegations, discussing prospects for the development of tourism, preservation of cultural heritage, and international cooperation.

“Historical monuments are the civilizational origins of our history and the priceless heritage of Kazakhstan and the entire Turkic world. Botai in North Kazakhstan holds a special place – it is the key to understanding early human history and the domestication of the horse. Today Botai is recognized by scientists worldwide, and the study of such sites helps preserve the memory of our ancestors, strengthen the identity of the people, and inspire future generations. It is necessary to support and develop these monuments, create conditions for scientific research, cultural events, and tourism. Films are already being shot here, archaeological expeditions are being conducted, international symposia and educational programs are being organized, turning heritage into a living space for science, creativity, and leisure,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

Aiyrtau District and the city of Petropavl turned into a point of attraction for dozens of foreign delegations and thousands of guests for the week. Representatives from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Mongolia and Russia (Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Yakutia, Kabardino-Balkaria) – scientists, artists, archaeologists, ethnologists, cultural figures, and youth leaders – confirmed the growing importance of North Kazakhstan Region in the humanitarian and tourism agenda.

“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who organized this event. Botai must be shown to the whole world – I would very much like as many people as possible to learn about this place. The nature of North Kazakhstan feels like home to me. I painted a picture that will soon be presented in Petropavl, and now I see – what I depicted almost exactly matches what is here,” the honored artist of Azerbaijan, professor at Yeditepe University, and chief artist of the Turkish Naval Forces, Aziz Refik Bey, shared.

The key event of the week was the 3rd International Symposium of Artists “Botai – Culture of the Great Steppe”, which has already become a tradition and is strengthening its status on the international stage each year. The venue was chosen for a reason – it was here, in Aiyrtau District, 40 years ago that archaeologist Viktor Zaibert made a world-class discovery – the first convincing evidence of horse domestication on the territory of modern Kazakhstan. This sensational scientific event inscribed North Kazakhstan Region into the history of world civilization and made it a cultural and historical brand of the country.

“We, together with Viktor Zaibert, sent several people here, and they returned with backpacks full of finds. Here we discovered arrowheads, many scrapers, and the so-called ‘irons’ – stone discs. If on other excavations finding even a couple of such items is already a sensation, here we had hundreds, even thousands. Botai is a unique monument of global significance, for it was here that the horse was first domesticated. If this had not happened, the course of history could have been entirely different,” archaeologist Anatoly Pleshakov recalls.

The symposium program was complemented by the international seminar-teambuilding “Botai – Foundations of the Turkic World” – a new-format platform that brought together ethnographers, historians, craftsmen, artists, and youth. Participants not only listened to lectures but also immersed themselves in the atmosphere of the ancient steppe through reconstructions of combat rituals, master classes, and archaeological routes.

“The Botai culture occupies a special place in world history. Botai is known in leading scientific centers around the world, and it is included in school and university textbooks. We are rightfully proud of this. We consider all events such as today’s – seminars, symposia, exhibitions – to be important and necessary. All of this contributes to the preservation and popularization of our history and cultural heritage,” Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor, and corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute Zeynolla Samashev shared.

From August 11 to 17, the Imantau-Shalkar resort area and Petropavl are hosting an international plein air of artists. The finale will be an exhibition at the “Botai” art gallery, where masters from different countries will present their vision of the region’s rich cultural and historical environment.

At the end of the week, Petropavl will host the international scientific and practical conference “Botai – Foundations of the Turkic World”, which will bring together leading scholars to discuss the role of Botai culture in shaping a common Turkic identity.

“I am very glad to be here again. This is my second visit – the last time I was here was 25 years ago together with Viktor Zaibert. It is pleasant to see how international tourism is developing today. I am sure that Viktor Fyodorovich would also be very happy about this,” archaeologist, bioanthropologist, and specialist in the study of the ancient population of Central Asia, Bendezu-Sarmiento Juli, says.

All these events are not isolated initiatives, but the result of systematic work on the implementation of the strategic course set by the Head of State. The North Kazakhstan Region is confidently securing its status as an international center of attraction, where history, culture, and tourism work for the future of the country.

#Culture #President's instruction #Tourism #Yermek Kosherbayev

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