sympBAKU, Azerbaijan, November 25. On November 24, 2025, an International Symposium titled “Roots and Sound: Traditions of Crafting Turkic Musical Instruments and Modern Solutions” was held in Astana (Kazakhstan). The symposium took place within the framework of the International Arts Festival “World Music” (“Әлем Әуені”), jointly organized by the Akimat of the city of Astana and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, TurkicWorld reports.
The purpose of the symposium was to conduct a comprehensive study of the traditions of musical instrument making among Turkic peoples, identify the interconnection between ancient technologies and contemporary innovative approaches, and create a scientific and practical platform for the exchange of experience among masters and scholars, performers and researchers.
At the opening ceremony, Mrs. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, addressing the participants, noted that the unity of tradition and modernity creates broad opportunities for new research, technological approaches, and international scientific cooperation. She emphasized that the symposium serves as an important platform bringing together experts in this field.
Later, the President of the Foundation, acting as moderator of the plenary sessions, gave the floor to the participants — Mr. Darkhan Kydyrali, academician, Member of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr. Erlan Dakenov, Chairman of the Committee for Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr. Eset Baiken, Deputy Akim of the city of Astana; Ms. Zhanar Shaimenova, Secretary-General of the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO; and Mr. Ákos Gergely, Chief Advisor of the “House of Hungarian Heritage” and Honored Artist of Hungary.
As part of the symposium, a roundtable discussion titled “Common Sound: Research of Turkic Musical Instruments and International Cooperation” was held. The discussion focused on the study of the musical heritage of Turkic peoples and the expansion of institutional cooperation in this area.
During the event, a presentation of the book “National Musical Instruments of Turkic-speaking Countries”, published by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation jointly with the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Baku Music Academy, took place and generated great interest. Prepared in four languages, the publication was recognized as an important source for the international representation and scientific systematization of the Turkic musical heritage.
As a conclusion to the symposium, a Joint Resolution was adopted by the participants, dedicated to the preservation, study, and transmission to future generations of the musical instrument-making heritage of Turkic peoples. The document highlights priority directions such as the creation of a unified scientific database of musical instruments, the systematic study of traditional schools of craftsmanship, the introduction of specialized courses on instrument making into educational programs, as well as digital archiving, 3D modelling, and the expansion of international scientific cooperation.
The Resolution also envisages the development of joint initiatives for the wider international promotion of Turkic musical heritage within the frameworks of UNESCO and ICESCO, and expresses agreement to explore the possibility of establishing a joint Association of Turkic Musical Instrument Masters to advance cooperation in this field.
