April 27 , 2023 Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch. Valikhanov of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan held the grand opening of the “Research Center for Problems of Kazakh Monument Studies”, which was officially established on September 27, 2022. The creation of the Center is a reflection of the important role of the current scientific and practical direction of monument studies for modern Kazakhstan; the result of large purposeful developments of academic scientists – ethnoarchaeologists, ethnologists, etc. – in the field of field research, scientific generalization and institutionalization of this discipline; as well as the traditions of monument studies in the system of the National Academy of Sciences (post-war Institute of Architecture and Construction).
There are at least 150 thousand monuments of historical, cultural, artistic significance in Kazakhstan, which are an inexhaustible source of knowledge of the past of our country, its diverse culture; have serious ideological, propaganda, economic significance; play an important role in the life of modern Kazakh society. Comprehensive study, attribution, protection, restoration, conservation and further use of these – now intensively destroyed, disappearing unique monuments – is the most important task of national importance. The Center of Kazakh Monument Studies, created under the leadership of Serik Eskendirovich Azhigali, a prominent ethnologist and archaeologist, Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor, corresponding member of the International Academy of Architecture of the East, Honorary Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, knight of the Order of “Parasat”, will make efforts to implement this important task.
The presentation and the subsequent conference were attended by more than 40 domestic and foreign specialists – ethnologists, historians, archaeologists, architects, monument specialists, cultural scientists, museologists, etc. As part of the presentation, the opening of the study of the SIC problems of Kazakh monument studies at the Institute, an exhibition of works on the topic “Stages of development of modern monument studies in Kazakhstan”, including the works of S.E. Azhigali, organized by the Central Scientific Library of the RSE “Gylym Ordasy” of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, as well as an author’s exhibition of posters on the research of the hero of the day on the topics:
- “Comprehensive study of the Khan Molasy necropolis: how the grave of Abulkhair Khan was found.”
- “Research of the West Kazakhstan (Donyztau) complex ethnoarchaeological expedition: 2019 – 2020”.
The head of the SIC S.E. Azhigali conducted a tour of these exhibitions, presenting his report “On the actual tasks of “Kazakh monument studies” to the guests of the solemn event.
The moderator of the conference is the director of the Institute of History and Ethnology. Ch. Valikhanov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences (hereinafter – NAS) of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ziyabek Ermukhanovich Kabuldinov spoke about the importance of creating a Center for Kazakh Monument Studies at the Institute.
At the conference, greetings were delivered by the director of the Republican Center for the Study of Historical Materials of the Institute of Oriental Studies. R.B. Suleimenova, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor M.Kh. Abuseitova, monument historian, well-known public figure and cultural figure of Kazakhstan M.K. Sembi, director of the branch of the research and design branch of the Republican State Enterprise “Kazrestaratsia” B.B. Myrzhiev, who proposed to establish close cooperation with the newly created Center for Monuments. On the part of the university community, the head of the department of archeology, ethnology and museology of the historical faculty of the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi, PhD, acting Associate Professor R.S. Zhumataev, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor B.K. Kalshabaeva, candidate of historical sciences T.E. Kartaeva and others R.S. Zhumataev spoke about the need to integrate the academic department and the department in the training of specialists in monument studies to strengthen this important scientific direction.
The event was attended by Doctor of Architecture, Professor of the Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Construction (KazGASA) G.S. Abdrasilova, fellow ethnologists from the Institute of History and Ethnology. Ch. Valikhanov – Head of the Department of Ethnology and Anthropology A.T. Abdulina, Chief Scientific Officer of the Department of Ethnology and Anthropology, Candidate of Historical Sciences N. Alimbay. Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor A.U. Toktabay highlighted the results of his research on Kazakh monuments in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.