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The presentation of the two-volume “Turkistan” Encyclopedia, prepared by the “Gylym” Publishing House with the support of the Akimat of Turkistan Region, was held at Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University. During the ceremony, University Rector Zhanar Temirbekova and Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities E.U. Zulpykharova, together with Akim of Turkistan Region Nuralhan Kosherov and Chairman of the Turkistan Regional Council of Veterans Zhenisbek Maulenqulov, officially unveiled the two-volume encyclopedia.

The “Turkistan” Encyclopedia is a fundamental scholarly work that provides comprehensive coverage of the region’s centuries-old history, historical and cultural heritage, spiritual values, and civilizational significance. The two-volume publication, consisting of 880 pages, presents the concept of Turkistan not only within the history of the present-day city and region but also as a broader historical, cultural, and civilizational space. The scientific project is headed by Academician Darkhan Kydyrali, a member of the Authorized Council and the chief editor of the encyclopedia. The large-scale project was implemented from 2021 to 2025. More than 300 scholars contributed to the preparation of the encyclopedia. During the research process, more than 4,000 names and concepts were re-examined, and new articles were prepared on historical figures, significant events, geographical names, and data that had not previously been sufficiently represented in encyclopedic publications.

The publication systematizes materials on archaeology, architecture, ethnography, literature and folklore, spiritual heritage, and historical figures in alphabetical order. The articles are supplemented with historical and geographical maps, photographs, portraits, miniatures, and reconstruction drawings. The encyclopedia was published in a print run of 2,000 copies, with 1,000 copies of each volume. During the initial stage, the publication will be distributed to libraries across Turkistan Region, followed by distribution to other regions of Kazakhstan. In the future, the encyclopedia is planned to be translated into English, Turkish, Russian, Uzbek, and other languages.

The two-volume work is primarily intended for historians, Turkologists, archaeologists and ethnographers, literary scholars, teachers, and students. It will also serve as a valuable source for a wider audience interested in the history of Turkistan and the cultural heritage of the Turkic World. The presentation ceremony was attended by Akim of Turkistan Region Nuralhan Kosherov, Akim of Turkistan city Azimbek Pazylbekuly, Deputy Akim of Turkistan Region Yertai Altayev, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Turkistan Levent Gürcan, the encyclopedia’s executive editor and literary scholar Turdyqul Shanbai, Chairman of the Turkistan Regional Council of Veterans Zhenisbek Maulenqulov, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Philological Sciences and Professor Karimbek Kurmanaliyev, University Rector Zhanar Temirbekova, university staff, and representatives of Turkistan’s intellectual community. During the event, the guests highlighted the scholarly and historical significance of the encyclopedia and emphasized the importance of such fundamental works in systematically studying Turkistan’s rich heritage and passing it on to future generations.

The two-volume “Turkistan” Encyclopedia is a scholarly and educational work that brings together historical information about the region’s past and present. The publication will make a significant contribution to the deeper study of Turkistan’s history, the development of historical awareness, and the promotion of the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic World.