Thursday, March 28

Taraz is a city of artisans

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Any cultural heritage, the preservation of historical monuments and national values are the common heritage of the people, which is based on their culture, way of life, traditions and customs, as well as art. Kazakh craft has an ancient history.

Monuments of the Bronze Age, jewelry made of gold, silver, copper, ceramic products, household items decorated with national ornaments are proof of this. Crafts were passed down from generation to generation, so one of the important achievements of Kazakhstan’s independence can rightfully be considered the revival of the forgotten Kazakh handicraft art. One of the centers of the origin of Kazakh handicraft is the ancient city of Taraz in the Zhambyl region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The history of the most ancient city in the country, founded more than 2 thousand years ago, is closely connected with the history of the Great Silk Road. From the border of China, trade caravans moved through the cities of Merke, Taraz, Sayram, Yasi, Otrar further to Central Asia, Persia, the Caucasus and Europe. All these cities owe their appearance to merchants who, overcoming the vast Kazakh steppes, arranged stops that turned into caravanserais, and those, in turn, into settlements that eventually grew into cities. Along with goods, crafts, architecture, culture, art and religions spread along the Silk Road. It is no exaggeration to say that the history of Taraz had world significance, great Arab, Greek and Persian thinkers wrote about the greatness of ancient Taraz. Taraz was sung by the outstanding poets of the East Khayyam, Hafiz and Rudaki. The Venetian traveler Marco Polo mentioned Taraz as a city of merchants and artisans in his travel notes “A Book about the Diversity of the World”.

Already initially, Taraz was formed not just as a city, but as the center of the political and economic life of a vast region. Taraz is one of the oldest cities in Asia. He is credited with the primacy in many ways: the first metropolis, the first mosque built in the Great Steppe, the first madrasah, and so on. This is one of the few cities where official programs of famous international fashion weeks, international exhibitions of artisans are held, thanks to which the centuries-old traditions of the art of the Kazakh people are revived, the fashion industry of Kazakhstan is developing, cooperation at the international level is being strengthened. Taraz has become a platform for the exchange of experience between artisans of Kazakhstan with craftsmen from other countries.

Taking into account the above, from October 1 to 4, the International Exhibition of Artisans “Taraz – the city of artisans” will be held in the city of Taraz in the ethno–cultural complex “Kone Taraz”, organized by the Tourism Department of the Akimat of Zhambyl region, the World Council of Artisans (WCC International, WCC APR), the Akimat of Taraz and the ASPARA brand. The exhibition will be attended by artisans from the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, Central Asia, Europe, the Near abroad and of course Kazakhstan. The 10th season of the international project “ASPARA FASHION WEEK” will be held in the same location these days. The Tourism Department of the Akimat of Zhambyl region will organize tours to the historical monuments and sights of Taraz, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for the participants of the exhibition.

The organizer will provide:

  • free participation in the exhibition for all 4 days;
  • free transfer from Taraz and Shymkent airports;
  • gala dinner (1);
  • free tours of the city of Taraz.

Contact for communication: +77017172606 Kaliev Aidarkhan.

Email: aidarkhan.ceo@gmail.com

Kazakhstan, Taraz, Rakhimov street 1

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