The grand event of the fall of 2022 is the inclusion of the city of Taraz in the list of World Craftsmen Cities. Taraz is the 57th city in the world to have such status and title. The honorary title will increase recognition of the region as a tourist attraction center with rich history and culture, which will contribute to the revival and development of ancient traditions of folk arts and crafts typical of the region.
The significance of the International exhibition of artisans “Taraz – the city of artisans” is not only the title of honor, but also the solidarity of artisans from all over the world. The international exhibition was attended by over 200 artisans not only from Zhambyl region, but also from near and far abroad: Brazil, the Netherlands, India, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia and Tatarstan.
The meeting between the Akim of Zhambyl Region, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and the honorary guests of the exhibition was very fruitful: Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dastan Ryspekov, Vice President of the World Council of Craftsmen of the Asia-Pacific Region Aziz Murtazaev, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Craftsmen Union Aizhan Bekkulova, Chief Designer of Aspara brand of Asyl Design Fashion House Aidarkhan Kaliev, Chairman of Sheber Shanyrak Public Association of the Disabled Anar Beksultanova and other guests from Uzbekistan, Tatarstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
International exhibition served as proof that innovations in culture are born only in the exchange of experiences of different cultures, only in the point of their intersection and the ability to master their lives. When two different cultures meet, they should not merge and mix, they should be mutually enriched.
The atmosphere at the International exhibition of artisans “Taraz – the city of artisans” was filled with colorful, unique, individual works of Kazakh and foreign artisans from wood, leather, felt, ceramics, various metals, various fabrics and other materials.
To consolidate the friendship, exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as to solve the problematic issues in the activities of handicrafts, on October 2, 2022 a round table was held in the House of Friendship, where deputy of the Majilis of the RK Parliament Nurumova Galina spoke in support of determining the status of artisans and providing them with government financial support.
Here, at the round table, the World Council of Craftsmen of the Asia Pacific Region and the Akim of Taraz signed a Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation.
In today’s environment, crafts are enriched with new knowledge, materials and technologies, as well as new talents. In this connection, at the International exhibition of artisans, the children’s drawing contest “Taraz City of Artisans” was held, and the winners were announced and awarded. Alongside the children’s drawing competition, there was also a competition of young artisans, “Ancient Taraz”, where the winners were also announced and awarded.
The jury was made up of masters, craftsmen and designers from Russia, Holland, Azerbaijan and other countries.
Thanks to the info tours, the participants and guests of the International exhibition of artisans were able to learn about the history of the ancient Taraz and see its sights.
This event made it possible to create an information and communication platform for the exchange of experience and the organization of cooperation between all regional, national and international organizations working in the field of handicrafts.