As part of a project of the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development (KIPD) aimed at inventorying and documenting Kazakhstan’s intangible cultural heritage, video recordings and interviews were conducted at the Faculty of Arts of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University with faculty members from the Departments of Design, Art Education, and Music Education and Choreography.

The main purpose of the project was to document the living traditions of Kazakh art and to preserve the professional experience of masters, as well as unique knowledge and practical skills passed down from generation to generation.

The project involved members of the Faculty of Arts with extensive experience in teaching, performance, and creative practice.

Yerbol Tungyshuly Ussenbayev – Associate Professor at the Department of Music Education and Choreography, specializing in musical arts and the professional training of music educators.

Yerbolat Zhumashuly Mustafayev – Professor, Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, professional performer and educator.

Talant Zhambyluly Klyshbayev – Lecturer at the Department of Music Education and Choreography, specializing in choreographic art and dance pedagogy.

Almat Mushelbayuly Kumarzhanov – Professor, choreographic director, ballet master and educator.

Talgat Abilbolatuly Zhanassylov – Master of Pedagogical Sciences, lecturer, master of decorative and applied arts and traditional dombra making.

Bolat Akmoldayuly Atamkulov – Senior Lecturer, member of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Union of Designers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, decorative and applied artist and master jeweller.

Mayra Syzdykkyzy Nurke – Associate Professor at the Department of Design, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), specialist in decorative and applied arts and art education.

Bagibek Abylkassymuly Manasov – Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts, artist and specialist in ceramic art.

Yessenkeldy Ussabayuly Kulzhabayev – Master of Pedagogical Sciences, lecturer and master of artistic leatherworking.

During the video recordings, the faculty members spoke about their creative paths, professional experience, traditional techniques and artistic practices, as well as the ways in which they pass their skills and knowledge on to younger generations.

Particular attention was paid to intergenerational continuity, the role of masters and educators in preserving intangible cultural heritage, and the interaction between traditional art and contemporary art education.

The participants represented various areas of national art, including traditional music and performance, choreography, decorative and applied arts, jewellery, artistic woodworking, metalworking and leatherworking, the making of traditional musical instruments, ceramics, and other forms of artistic craftsmanship.

The photographs, video recordings and interview materials collected as part of the project will help preserve information about the bearers of living intangible cultural heritage, their professional experience and creative practices. These materials may also be used in future research, educational projects and initiatives aimed at promoting national culture.

The participation of the Faculty of Arts of Abai University in the project of the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development contributes to preserving cultural memory, strengthening the continuity of artistic traditions and passing unique professional knowledge and skills on to younger generations.