An international scientific and practical conference entitled “Nomadism as a Form of Culture and Civilization: A Contemporary Perspective” was held at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. The international academic forum focused on exploring the historical and cultural heritage of nomadic civilization, which continues to attract growing global interest, defining its place in human history, and reinterpreting traditional values from a contemporary perspective.

The international conference dedicated to the study of nomadic culture opened with the inauguration of the meeting hall named after Murat Auezov, a prominent statesman and public figure. The opening ceremony featured speeches by Banu Narbekova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Abai University; Zifa-Alua Auezova, daughter of Murat Auezov; Asiya Mukhambetova, co-author of the book Nomads. Aesthetics, Doctor of Art History and professor; and Marat Sembin, historian and representative of the Zhas Tulpar movement, among other distinguished figures. Domestic and international scholars, researchers, and representatives of the arts and cultural sector presented academic papers highlighting the multifaceted characteristics of nomadic civilization.

The conference was organized to mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of the 1976 scholarly monograph Understanding the World Through Traditional Kazakh Art: Nomads. Aesthetics. In an era shaped by globalization, questions of cultural identity, environmental challenges, and digital technologies, particular attention was given to developing a deeper understanding of nomadic heritage.

During the event, participants unveiled the Kazakh translation and a new Russian-language edition of the collective monograph Nomads. Aesthetics: Understanding the World Through Traditional Kazakh Art, prepared on the basis of the original text published 50 years ago. The publication was presented as a significant scholarly contribution to the study of nomadic culture's role in global development, its distinctive aesthetic features, and the wider promotion of its spiritual heritage.

The plenary session addressed a range of pressing issues, including the interaction between nomadic and urban cultures, the historical experience of Turkic peoples, the philosophical foundations of nomadic worldviews, and the role of traditional culture in contemporary society. Scholars and researchers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries examined the historical continuity of nomadic culture and its significance as a civilizational phenomenon in the modern world.

Among the presentations, the paper entitled “Once Again on the Unity of Nomadic and Urban Cultures in Central Asia” by Aleksandar Dzhumaev attracted particular attention. Dzhumaev is a Candidate of Art History and a leading research fellow at the Research Institute of Cultural Studies and Intangible Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The conference featured parallel sessions organized around two thematic areas. The first, “Nomadism as a Civilizational Phenomenon: History, Culture, Worldview, and Material Heritage,” explored the historical, cultural, philosophical, and material dimensions of nomadic civilization. The second, “Nomadic Heritage in the Modern World: Preservation, Promotion, and New Interpretations,” focused on contemporary approaches to safeguarding and presenting nomadic cultural heritage. Scholars from Kazakhstan and abroad participated in the discussions both online and in person.

The conference provided an important platform for deepening the understanding of the historical continuity of nomadic civilization, advancing the scholarly study of national cultural heritage, and promoting it internationally. It also strengthened academic exchange and highlighted the importance of researching and popularizing Kazakhstan's historical and cultural heritage in accordance with contemporary needs.

Concluding the international gathering, which examined the historical and cultural legacy, philosophical foundations, and spiritual values of nomadic civilization, as well as their relevance to contemporary society, participants adopted a special resolution. The document emphasized the need to advance interdisciplinary research, preserve historical and cultural heritage, and promote it more widely.

«Abai University» Media Center