On October 16–17, within the framework of the “Aktau – Cultural Capital of the Turkic World” year,
the IV International Symposium of Turkic World Museums and the Council of the TURKSOY Association of Museums were held at the Mangystau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore named after Abish Kekilbayuly.

✔️ The symposium brought together leading museum professionals, scholars, and representatives of international organizations from Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Moldova (Gagauzia), and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

🔹 During the official opening ceremony, Tilegen Abishev, Deputy Akim of Mangystau Region, Berik Abdigaliuly, Director of the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and representatives of TURKSOY delivered welcoming remarks. They emphasized the importance of cooperation in preserving and developing the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples.

🔸 Within the framework of the symposium, several events took place: the scientific-practical conference “Stone Monuments – the Common Heritage of the Turkic World,” the international exhibition “Carpet Weaving Art of the Turkic Peoples,” a tour of the exhibitions at the Abish Kekilbayuly Museum, and a scientific and educational field trip to the sacred sites of Mangystau — Shopan Ata, Beket Ata underground mosques, and Bozzhyra.
These activities aimed to highlight the region’s rich historical and cultural potential and to promote the exchange of experience on modern approaches in museum practice.

✅ At the meeting of the TURKSOY Association of Museums Council, Berik Abdigaliuly, Director of the National Museum of Kazakhstan, presented a report on the activities carried out during Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in 2025 and noted the continuity of ongoing initiatives.

📌 Among the major projects presented were the III Congress of Kazakhstan Museums (Astana), the International Conference on the Preservation and Restoration of Archaeological Artifacts, and the “Following the Traces of the Oghuz Steppe Civilization” project (Kyzylorda).

☑️ In addition, the Mangystau and Atyrau Regional Museums, the Shymkent Museum Association, and the Bokey Orda History Museum were officially admitted as members of the TURKSOY Association of Museums and received certificates of membership.

📎 At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairmanship was officially handed over to the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, and it was announced that the next session of the Council will be held in Tashkent in 2026.