On December 19, 2023, by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 415, the “Hazret Sultan” Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve was granted “National” status. One year has passed since then. What has changed during this time? How has the “National” status impacted the museum-reserve’s operations?
Over the past year, the “Hazret Sultan” National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve has acquired all the benefits entitled to an enterprise with “National” status in accordance with legal requirements. Specifically, the museum-reserve’s budget has significantly increased, and employee salaries have been raised. Most importantly, the museum-reserve’s office was relocated to a new building worthy of its status. The newly constructed Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Museum, owned by the city, has been transferred under the jurisdiction of the “Hazret Sultan” Museum-Reserve. Additionally, the establishment of the “Yasawian Studies” research center and an architecture-restoration department within the museum-reserve is underway, with other structural changes expected in the near future.
The international relations of the “Hazret Sultan” National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve have advanced significantly over the year. Memorandums of cooperation have been signed with several foreign historical and cultural organizations. An international exhibition titled “The Legacy of Yasawi and Ancient Turkistan” was organized in Kazan, Russia.
In Paris, France, the opening ceremony of the “Kazakhstan: Jewels of the Great Steppe” exhibition took place at the National Museum of Asian Art, Guimet. The exhibition featured valuable artifacts from the “Hazret Sultan” National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, alongside exhibits from the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, attracting the attention of the French public.
In addition, a traveling exhibition titled “Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Historic Turkistan” was organized in the central cities of seven regions of Kazakhstan.
The museum-reserve has also adopted new formats for organizing exhibitions. One notable example is the exhibition titled “Özbekali Zhanibekov and Museum Affairs,” which stands out for its innovative approach compared to previous years. It highlights the figure’s contributions to the museum sector and the preservation, protection, and registration of historical and cultural monuments in Kazakhstan, as well as his role in establishing major museums in the country. The exhibition also sheds light on the history of institutions like “Kazrestavratsiya” and its affiliated centers.
An international scientific-practical seminar was held to assess the preservation state of the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum. Efforts were made to monitor the preservation of other historical and cultural monuments under the museum-reserve and to define their protection zones.
The Yassy-Kultobe archaeological site, under the museum-reserve’s jurisdiction, has been proposed for UNESCO’s Tentative List. This area includes 17 historical heritage sites, and a project has been prepared to establish protective zones for effective preservation and utilization. This project has been submitted to the Turkistan Region Administration for approval. Similarly, based on the museum-reserve’s proposal, the project defining protection zones for the Sauran archaeological site was approved by the Turkistan Region Administration on May 6, 2024, by Resolution No. 78. Determining and approving protection zones for historical monuments is a complex yet vital task.
New initiatives have also been launched for school students, including clubs like “Yassawian Studies,” “Young Archaeologists,” “Young Guides,” and “Young Restorers.” Starting this academic year, students in the city have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge by participating in these clubs.
Significant efforts have also been made to improve the qualifications and professional development of museum-reserve staff to meet the standards of providing services under its “National” status.
These are just some of the achievements of the “Hazret Sultan” National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve over the past year.
Congratulations on December 19, the anniversary of the “Hazret Sultan” National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve receiving its “National” status, following the Independence Day celebrations!