About Us

The Turkistan Regional Museum of History and Local Lore is one of the oldest and largest museums in Kazakhstan. It was founded in 1920. The museum’s collection includes historical, ethnographic, and archaeological artifacts. Turkistan is recognized as the spiritual center of the Turkic world; therefore, the main mission of the museum is to preserve and promote the deep history of the region, its sacred sites, and prominent figures for future generations. By showcasing the achievements of independent Kazakhstan and promoting national culture and values, the regional museum plays an important role in the education of younger generations. Today, it serves both local residents and visitors from near and far.

Currently, the museum’s collection comprises over 107,000 artifacts. Seven branches of the Turkistan Regional Museum of History and Local Lore operate for the public:

1. Sattar Yerubayev Literary and Cultural Museum (Turkistan city);
2. Turar Ryskulov Museum of History and Local Lore (Turar Ryskulov village, Tulkibas district, Turkistan region);
3. “Ardakty Ana” Museum (Aksukent village, Sairam district, Turkistan region);
4. Mirtemir Literary and Memorial Museum (Yeski Ikan village, Sauran district, Turkistan region);
5. “Shammat Ishan” Museum (Karnak village, Sauran district, Turkistan region; included in the list of monuments of architecture of national importance);
6. Saryagash District Museum of History and Local Lore (Saryagash city);
7. Shardara District Museum of History and Local Lore (Shardara city).

Key Indicators for 2022–2024:

* Total number of artifacts in the collection – 107,080;

* Newly acquired artifacts – 6,502;

* Number of visitors – 373,607;

* Number of exhibitions – 521;

* Number of lectures – 1,842

International Exhibitions:

Festival of National Cuisine of Central Asian Countries, “Culture of the Kazakh People” (2023, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan);

Exhibition of SPECA member states dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (2023, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan);

V World Nomad Games (2024, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan).

Awards:

Five employees of the museum were awarded the badge of honor “Excellence in Culture”* for their outstanding contribution to the development of culture, their long-term service, and active participation in enhancing the cultural sphere.