The historic British Travellers Club hosted an exhibition of ancient maps and a presentation on “The Kazakh State on European and American maps of the 16th-19th centuries”, DKnews.kz reports.
The event was attended by representatives of public and academic circles of the United Kingdom, as well as members of The Travellers Club.
Opening the event, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Great Britain Magzhan Ilyasov noted that European and American maps are a clear evidence of the long history of Kazakh statehood, and indicate the wide popularity of the Kazakh Khanate in Europe since its formation in the XV century. The Ambassador also introduced the British audience to the key milestones in the formation of the Kazakh state and its rich cultural heritage.
During the event, expert of the Bodleian Library of Oxford University Nicholas Kontovas, as well as writer and journalist Nick Fielding made thematic presentations.
Nicholas Kontovas presented copies of rare books and manuscripts kept in the library collection of Oxford University and spoke in more detail about the inextricable link between the history of Kazakhstan and the Golden Horde.
In his presentation, Fielding showed the Great Steppe and the nomadic culture of the Kazakh people through the eyes of English travellers such as diplomat Anthony Jenkinson (16th century), artist John Castle (18th century) and explorer Thomas Atkinson (19th century). He noted that references to the Kazakh state on British maps testify to the links between Kazakhstan and Great Britain, long before the establishment of official diplomatic relations. In addition, the British journalist separately emphasised the unique tourist potential of Kazakhstan and spoke about the 5th World Nomad Games held in Astana at a high level.
The exhibition of ancient maps and the presentation at the London Travellers’ Club aroused sincere interest among the British audience, who were keen to ask questions about the history and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
