A Craft Exhibition "Masters of Ancient Taraz" Was Organized

A craft exhibition “Masters of Ancient Taraz” was organized to include the city of Taraz in the World List of Craft Cities.

The main goal of including Taraz in the World List of Craft Cities is to raise the region’s global recognition and tourist image, represent the domestic craft community at the international level, maintain competitiveness, and preserve disappearing types of crafts. Supporting the talent and taste of renowned masters in Kazakhstan and young specialists just entering the world of crafts.

In this connection, the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Monuments of Ancient Taraz” held an archaeological exhibition “Crafts of Ancient Taraz.”

The city of Taraz, founded in 40–36 BC, is one of the most ancient cities of Kazakhstan and a historical-cultural center of the Great Silk Road. Moreover, the city of Taraz, with over 2,000 years of history, has been one of the centers of trade and crafts on the Great Silk Road since ancient times.

One type of art in the heritage of the Kazakh people is applied art. In everyday life, there was production of ceramic ware, glassmaking, weaving and felt-making, development of sericulture, and jewelry production. In creating their works, masters left a great creative legacy. Whatever the art form, all values were passed down from generation to generation.

To include the city of Taraz in the World List of Craft Cities, from July 30 to August 1, three experts from the World Crafts Council arrived in the city:

1. President of the World Crafts Council Saad al-Kaddoumi (Kuwait).

2. Vice-President of the World Crafts Council for the Asia-Pacific Region Azizbek Murtazaev (Tashkent).

3. President of the Craftsmen Union of Kazakhstan Bekulova Aizhan (Almaty).

Additionally, the expert panel included Kaliyev Aidarkhan Miraliyevich, Chief Designer of the “Aspara” brand of the “Asyl Design” fashion house.

Our main goal in holding this event is to welcome international experts at the highest level, fully demonstrate the craft and tourist potential of our region, and create all conditions for including the city of Taraz in the list of World Craft Cities.

The event is scheduled for 3 calendar days and includes visits to craft sites, tourist sites, and landmarks of Zhambyl region.

Event objectives:

1. Organize a craftsmen exhibition;

2. Introduce craft sales points;

3. Introduce the craft-making process;

4. Organize an informational tour of cultural and historical sites.