09.12.2015 The exhibition "Shokan and his time"

Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 9^th December, 2015 at 15.00 opens the exhibition "Shokan and his time", devoted to the 180th anniversary of the outstanding Kazakh scientist Shokan (Muhammad Kanafiya) Valikhanov. At the exhibition "Shokan and his time" materials about the life, works and research of Sh.Valikhanov from the collections of the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the "Altynemel" State Memorial Museum located in Kerbulak district of Almaty region will be presented.

Shokan Valikhanov was born in 1835, in the family of a senior Sultan of Kushmurun (now – Kostanai region) District of Kazakh steppe of Siberian department Chingiz Valikhanov. He was educated from traditional steppe school learned Arabic, Persian and Chaghatay languages. From 1847 to 1853 he studied in the Siberian Cadet Corps in Omsk. In 1855-1857 as a participant of major military and scientific expeditions visited the neighboring regions of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan. In 1858-1859, traveling to East Turkestan and Kashgar under the pseudonym "Alimbai" held a series of major researches on history, ethnography and geography of the region, in the results of which he wrote the book "On the state of Altyshara or six eastern cities of China province Nan Lu (Small Bukharin)". Merits of scholar-traveler in the opening for Europeans poorly studied region of China have been highly appreciated by the scientist. In 1860 Shokan arrived in St. Petersburg, where he was accepted as a researcher of life of the peoples of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. In the middle of 1861 he returned to the steppe and the last four years of his life lived mostly in the Vernyi town. In the summer of 1864 he settled in the village of his elder brother Sultan of Alatau district Tezek Nuralyuly, the rate of which was located in the Koshen-Togan tract near the foot of the Altynemel range. He died in April 1865.

The rich scientific heritage of the great Kazakh scientist Shokan Valikhanov – inimitable peak of creativity and an inexhaustible treasure of the people. His work in the field of history, ethnography, law, folklore, geography, philology do not lose its relevance to this day are considered to be unique heritage. Promote heritage of Shokan is out greatest duty. The exhibition includes manuscripts and works of the scientist kept in the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the memorial museum "Altyn-Emel", as well as things that he used in life, books and publications about him are presented. For the first time exhibited personal belongings of Shokan Valikhanov – boric (headress), a rifle butt, a unique Chinese vase, brought by him from Kashgar expedition, camp torsyk (vessel), his copper cup of the fund collections of the "Altynemel" museum, silver spoon, brocade belt and other things, as well as a diploma (copy) on his election as member of the Russian Geographical Society.

A worthy place in the exhibition take the rare artifacts belonging to his family: a unique fur coat of swan's down, belonged to his younger sister Tazhibai, dress of his elder sister Apia, beshmet of sister Badigul, scraf of Nurilya, coat of his maternal uncle - Isa Shormanov. The exhibition includes paintings of famous artists N.Ya.Tretyakov, N.G.Khludov, P.I. Dyakov, A.M. Martova reflecting the historical appearance of that time. It deserves to be especially marked famous portrait of Shokan, painted by N.Ya.Tretyakov.

Along with the manuscripts and copies of documents of Shokan presented by the Central State Archive of the Republic of Kazakhstan and archive of film and documentary photographs and sound recordings of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will be screened documentary films, an exhibition of books on the life and work Sh.Valikhanov from funds of the Central Scientific Library.

30.10.2015 "History of the Great Silk Road - Shadow Theatre of Shaanxi Province"

On 30^th October, 2015 at 16.00 Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Xi'an Museum of Ancient Western market of Tang dynasty of Peoples Republic of China in the framework of cultural and scientific cooperationcarry out a joint project - "History of the Great Silk Road - Shadow Theatre of Shaanxi Province".

"Shadow Theatre" is a form of visual art, originated in Asia over 1,700 years ago. The art of Shadow Theater can be called as the progenitor of "television" art form that originated in China in the Chang'an (present - Xi'an) city of the Western Han Dynasty. In the 13th century Shadows Theater became known in western Asia and Europe, where it was called "Chinese light of shadows". In 2003, in Bali by decision of the Committee of the UNESCO on General Conference the Shadow Theatre is listed as intangible cultural heritage. Of great interest to the international community and protected by the government and people of China.

Genres of Shadow Theater are varied: historical, folk legends, heroic, love stories, myths and fables, fairy tales, modern drama, etc. The repertoire includes both one-act and multiple-act plays and operas.

In the art of Shadow Theater colored silhouette puppets are leaning against the back of the screen and become visible. The puppets are made from thin, transparent leather (goat, camel), paper or paperboard controlled by thin sticks (bamboo, wood or metal). Dolls can be both solid and integralas flexible, consisting of separate parts, removablely connected. Figures are controlled by actor. Technology of plays has not changed today. Presentation is accompanied by instrumental music or singing.

The exhibition "History of the Great Silk Road - Shadow Theatre of Shaanxi Province" plays a special role in the promotion and preservation of cultural traditions. It reflects the history of creation of Shadow Theater, having not only a high artistic value, but also is an important direction in the folk art of China. The exhibition consists of 4 sections. In the first section photographs and explanatory texts, introduces the history and development of the Shadow Theater, the skill of creating dolls and animals, production of theatrical props, the theater's repertoire are exhibited.

In the second and fourth sections works of Wang Tyanven of the famous artist of the Shadows Theater, Honorary Fellow of Xi'an Museum of Ancient Western market of Tang dynasty of China are presented. The works created during the reign of the Ming and Qing Dynasties is of special place. 19 paintings placed in light boxes and showcases "Qin Shi Huang, who conquered 6 states", "Beauties in the Khani palace", "History of Lan’ke", "Tang emperor Tai-tsung, going to camping", "Famous King of Medicine", "Fan Lihua commander", "Hero Xue Zhenguy at the meeting in the camp tent for the Marshal", "Wedding of Luo Cheng", "Emperor Tang Minhuan playing polo" and others. These paintings the colorful culture, their stories transmit legends and historical period of the Silk Road are reflected. The third section presents the costumes of the Tang period.

The exhibition runs until 23^rd December, 2015.

30.11.2015 The exhibition "Way of Leader" dedicated to the state holiday of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Day of the First President".

Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 30th November, 2015 at 15:00 opens the exhibition "Way of Leader", devoted to the state holiday of the Republic of Kazakhstan "The Day of the First President."

The history of any country is unique. However, a few examples in the world where the prosperity of a state associated with the name of one person. Typically, this is an outstanding personalities who through their own exclusivity was able to direct social forces on the foundation of a new statehood and provided for home country a worthy place in the world community. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of Kazakhstan has set a goal of building its own state, the transition to a market economy, the creation of a democratic society and the strengthening of as national identity and tolerance in society. President Nursultan Nazarbayev has chosen the path of gradual reform of the economy, the task of putting economic development ahead of political change. Formula of N. Nazarbayev "first - economy, then - politics" became a classic expression of the methodology successful reforms in the former Soviet Union. Due to the success of our country, has become widespread such a notion as "Kazakhstani model of development", which means steady progress on a clear set course - on the basis of a balanced and well thought-out strategy. In a short by historical standards the length of time, Kazakhstan has turned into an independent, politically and economically independent state.

The purpose of the exhibition is to reveal the role of the First President in formation and development of independent Kazakhstan.

The exhibition presents materials from the collections of the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, showing the history of the Leader of the Nation. Significant places in the exhibition take photographs reflecting the activities of the President to strengthen international relations with foreign countries. For the first time souvenirs presented to the Head of State by the Head of foreign states which handed over by the Presidential Residence of Kazakhstan (Almaty) to the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan are also presented on the exhibition.

Opening of the exhibition "Way of Leader" will be one of the most important cultural events on the eve of the state holiday "The first president of independent Kazakhstan".

The exhibition runs until 24th December, 2015.

15.10.2015 The exhibition "Hungarian Orientalists".

On 15^th October, 2015 at 16.00 Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the Consulate General of Hungary in Almaty, on the eve of the national holiday "Day of the proclamation of the Republic of Hungary" (23^rd October) opens the exhibition "Hungarian Orientalists".

The East for Hungarians has always meant something more than just a geographical name. XIX century was the century of the Magyars to the search its own roots. Hungarian tribes roamed over a thousand years in the steppes. During this time they were in contact with many nations and the great movement of nomadic communities. Therefore, the Hungarians believe that the peoples of Asia as their relatives and friends. The Hungarian travelers and scholars played a significant role in the study of history, language, religion, cultural traditions of the Eastern peoples. As a result of centuries of studies was created Hungarian school of Orientalists and Oriental study formed into an independent scientific discipline.

A research as part of expeditions to the Middle East and North Africa has had a great influence on the performance of each of the scientist-orientalist. The founder of modern Western Islamic sciences is Ignaz Goldziher, who has made a significant contribution to the study of Arabic and Semitic philology. Prominent scientists in the study of Arabic, Persian, Assyrian and other Eastern sources concerning Eastern nations is D’ule Germanusu, Karoi Tcegledi, Geza Fehérvári. One of the prominent figures in the field of Egyptology was Laszlo Kakoshi. Hungarian scientists have made a significant contribution to the study and description of geographical, geological issuer of the flora and fauna of the African continent. Many scientists specialized in Iranian studies - Shandor Kegl, Zhsigmond Telegdi, Karoi Revitsky.

Special interest for outstanding Hungarian historians, linguists and cultural experts was the Central Asia. Among them is Armin Vambery, who systemized Central Asian Turkic languages. Collected complex of linguistic, historical, folklore and poetry, ethnographic materials of D’erdya Almasi, Istvan Mandoki Kongur, Torma Jozsef are especially valuable. The study of language, history, culture and geography of their ancestors became the main area of his research. The founder of the Hungarian Armenian Studies is Eden Schutz, who made a great contribution in the field of publications, presented in Armenian of Kipchak sources. Shandor Kereshi Choma is a renowned Tibetologist, the first Buddhist scriptures translator into a European language. The archaeological heritage of the Silk Road and culture investigated by Aurel Stein.

Southeast Asia and Oceania in the field of view of the Hungarians were relatively laterin the XIX century. In the first half of the XX century in Korea, a number of scientists conducted ethnographic and linguistic research - Bishop Peter Wai, Baratoshi Benedek Balog, Ferenc and Károly Martonfi Fendler. Manuscript legacy of many prominent and recognized by Hungarian researchers of the East, is kept in the Library of the world-famous Hungarian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1826 (vice-president Lajos Ligeti).

The exhibition will run until 25^th October, 2015.