Almaty, Kazakhstan, November 19-26, 2025
The National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan will host the 9th Patchwork Festival «Eastern Bazaar», dedicated to the decorative and applied art of patchwork and quilting. This significant cultural event brings together masters, artists, and enthusiasts of patchwork from across Kazakhstan, creating a platform for intercultural dialogue and preserving the traditions of textile art.
Special attention given to the ancient Kazakh art of «kurak» – a unique heritage of patchwork that connects generations and finds expression in the works of contemporary artists. Modern masters, drawing on traditional techniques and the symbolism of patterns, create original and innovative textile artworks in which national motifs intertwine with modern ideas and forms.
What Visitors awaits
- Exhibition of Artistic Works – tuskiiz, kurak, patchwork, and art quilts. This collection gained remarkable success among thousands of visitors in September 2025 at the 30th anniversary festival in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (France) — the third-largest textile art festival in the world after Tokyo (Japan) and Houston (Texas, USA).
- Personal Exhibitions of leading Kazakhstani quilt and patchwork artists – Natalia Dyachenko (Karaganda), Natalia Mametniyazova (Almaty), Zamzagul Belgibayeva (Almaty), Madina Turlybekova (Semey), Galina Surnina (Almaty), and members of the Magic Quilt club (Astana). Their works are not just textile pieces but expressions of individual style, a refined sense of color, and masterful artisanship. Festival guests will see works in traditional «kurak», art quilt, and contemporary «chapan» styles (traditional men jacket).
- A Unique Collection of Antique Kazakh Tuskiiz reflecting the richness of national motifs and the deep symbolism of Kazakh ornamentation. The collection has been compiled and kindly provided by Natalia Krivets (France).
- Competition Exhibition «Stitching Worlds: Patchwork as a Dialogue of Cultures» will display hundreds of fabric fragments united into single compositions — a symbol of friendship among peoples. The competition aims to inspire masters, artists, and all who believe in the power of creativity to produce works where every stitch represents a step toward mutual understanding, every piece of fabric reflects a unique culture, and every quilt conveys a message of peace to the world.
- Award Ceremony – An international jury consisting of Marcel Ramseyer (Switzerland), Natalia Krivets (France), Dmitry Dzibalov (Kazakhstan), Natalia Mametniyazova (Kazakhstan), and Tamara Shtrosherer (Germany) will evaluate the works and honor the winners of the competition «Stitching Worlds: Patchwork as a Dialogue of Cultures» with valuable prizes from sponsors – BERNINA (Switzerland), CROWN (Germany), and Dom Shveinykh Mashin (Kazakhstan). A special prize — a sewing machine — will also be raffled among visitors of the exhibition.
- Workshops and Events (November 19-26, 2025) All those interested are welcome to attend masterclasses at the creative center «The Sewing World (Mir Shitya)» (229, Nazarbayev Ave.), where patchwork and art quilt masters will share their creative techniques and secrets:
- Textile Postcard «Quilted Flower» — Natalia Mametniyazova
- Decorative Placemat «Tulips» — Natalia Mametniyazova
- Christmas Placemat «Bargello» — Irina Subbotina
- «Spiral Star» — Irina Subbotina
- Workshop on BERNINA Q-Series machines — Lyailim Kuatova
- Test-drives of the latest Swiss BERNINA sewing equipment led by professional consultants from «Dom Shveinykh Mashin», where participants can experience the advantages of premium-class sewing and quilting machines.
NOTE: the press conference for journalists will take place on November 21, 2025, at 3 pm. at the National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan (conference hall, basement floor).
Organizers:
- Association of Patchwork Masters of Kazakhstan – kurak.kz
- National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Partners:
- General Sponsor: BERNINA International – Swiss manufacturer of sewing equipment
- Sponsor: CROWN – German manufacturer of sewing equipment
- Sponsor: «Dom Shveinykh Mashin» – Official exclusive distributor of BERNINA, bernette, and VERITAS in Kazakhstan and Central Asia – rivia.asia
Venue and Schedule:
- Venue: National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 44 Samal-1 microdistrict, Almaty
- Grand Opening: November 21, 2025, at 4 pm.
- Exhibition Hours: 9:00 – 18:00 (Closed on November 25 for sanitation day)
- We invite everyone to join us in celebrating creativity, culture, and inspiration at the Eastern Bazaar Patchwork Festival!
