From 17 to 19 September 2026, Zhenis Zhomart Zhenisuly, Deputy Director General for International Relations at the Ch. Ch. Valikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology, paid a working visit to Konya, Türkiye
On 17–18 September, the scholar participated in the international symposium entitled “Anatolia and the Islamic World in the Age of the Mongols: A Century of Great Events, Prominent Figures and Major Transformations.” The academic event was organised by the Institute of Seljuk Studies at Selçuk University.
The symposium brought together 63 researchers from 11 countries, including Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Egypt, Jordan and the United Kingdom. The participants discussed the history of the Mongol era and its impact on the political, socioeconomic and cultural development of Anatolia, Central Asia and the Islamic world.
The academic programme covered a wide range of subjects, including history, archaeology, architecture, art history, economic history, religious studies, philosophy, literature and Sufism. Particular attention was paid to the historical processes of the thirteenth century, which resulted not only in major military and political upheavals but also in intensified interaction among peoples, migration, and the spread of knowledge and cultural traditions.
Zhenis Zhomart Zhenisuly presented a paper entitled “The Defence of Otyrar: Its Religious, Political and Ethnic Significance.” In his presentation, the researcher examined the historical significance of the defence of Otyrar, its place in the events of the Mongol conquests, and the ethnopolitical, spiritual and religious dimensions of the resistance. The paper made an important contribution to the discussion of Central Asian history in the context of the transformations of the thirteenth century.
During the working visit, meetings were held with representatives of the Institute of Seljuk Studies at Selçuk University. The parties discussed prospects for academic cooperation, joint research and conferences, as well as the exchange of scholarly materials.
Following the symposium, professional contacts were established with international researchers representing academic centres and universities from different countries.
