― 28 сентября 2025 г.
‘TURKISTAN WORLD CRAFT FEST-2025’: International Handicrafts’ Exhibition and Forum held in Turkistan
The official opening ceremony of the ‘TURKISTAN WORLD CRAFT FEST-2025’ International Handicrafts’ exhibition organised by the Regional Administration of the Department of Tourism of Turkistan and featured Works by more than 100 foreign craftsmen who came to Turkistan to show unique examples of handicrafts to art lovers.
The International Forum of Handicrafts held under the motto ‘Turkistan: The Handicraft Heritage and the Future of Tourism’ which was a continuation of the festival also gathered a high number of participants. Attended by representatives of institutions and organisations from Kazakhstan and many other countries, the forum, was moderated by Mr. Aydarhan Kaliev, the Vice-President of the World Crafts’ Council (WCC) for the Asia-Pacific Region.
Goals of the Forum were mentioned as the provision of a platform making it possible for local and foreign handicraft masters to mutually share their experiences,the promotion of handicraft products on an international scale, and the contribution to the development of new cooperation projects. This major international event, which brought together craftsmen from various countries of the world was attended by over 70 foreign guests, representatives of various organisations, and handicraft masters.
Speaking at the opening session, Mr. Zulpihar Joldasov, the Deputy Governor of Turkistan, greeted all participants and expressed his appreciation as to the organization of this event.
Keynote speakes of the general session included:
- Aziz Murtazayev – WCC Honorary Ambassador
- Levent Gürkan – Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Turkistan
- Guldara Nurumova – Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Aybek Sydykov – Deputy Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Bakytjan Orynbekov – Mayor of Taraz
- Prof. Cheng Ping – Chair of the UNESCO Chair in Intangible Cultural Heritage, Expert in Traditional Handicrafts and Innovation (Guangzhou, China)
- Nishangül Karataeva –Representative of Kazakhstan to TURKSOY
- Prof. Ruhi Konak – Ankara University of Music and Visual Arts, Traditional Turkish Arts – Miniature Department
- Eldar Attakurov – President of the Central Asian Handicrafts’ Association
- Abdukahkhor Khamdamov – President of the Handicrafts’ Association of Tajikistan
- Dameli Janasheva – Chair of the Chamber of Handicrafts
- Indira Ikapova – Chair of the “Turkistan Qoloner” Association
Participants of the forum stressed the importance of the preservation and development of handicrafts while also highlighting the goal to make Turkistan become a major international centre of tourism.
On March 24th, 2025, Turkistan was awarded the title of ‘International City of Handicrafts’ upon decision of the International WCC. Today, more than 130 handicraft masters are actively working in the region.
