A Kazakh delegation led by Dr. Düken Masimkhanuly, Doctor of Philological Sciences and Director of the R.B. Suleimenov Institute of Oriental Studies, held a significant meeting with the National Library of France. The talks with Laurent Héricher, Head of the Department of Oriental Manuscripts, opened new avenues for exploring the historical legacy of the Turkic world, DKnews.kz reports.
Manuscripts, Maps, and Archives: How France Will Help Kazakhstan Unlock the Past
At the heart of the dialogue was the joint research project “Early and Medieval History and Culture of the Turkic World Based on Unique Materials from the Vatican and European Countries.” The two parties discussed access to rare manuscripts and archival documents in Ottoman, Chagatai, Tatar, Turkic, and Persian languages housed in the library’s collections.
Special attention was paid to antique geographical maps and materials gathered during European colonial expeditions. These sources could significantly enhance our understanding of the political and cultural geography of the Turkic world and shed light on Central Asia’s transformation through different eras.
Institute of Oriental Studies: A Flagship of Turkological Research in Kazakhstan
During the meeting, Dr. Masimkhanuly presented the history and work of the Institute of Oriental Studies, established by a decree of the Government of Kazakhstan in 1996. Named after the distinguished Orientalist Ramazan Beisenovich Suleimenov, the Institute is now a leading scientific institution in Kazakhstan specializing in Oriental, Turkological, and Arab-Iranian studies.
“It’s not just about studying these materials — it’s about reinterpreting the shared Turkic heritage through the lens of contemporary science and culture,”
emphasized Dr. Masimkhanuly.
From Words to Action: A Vision for Future Cooperation
The French side expressed strong interest in developing long-term academic cooperation. As a result of the talks, both parties agreed in principle to prepare and sign a Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Library of France and the Institute of Oriental Studies.
The memorandum will outline plans for joint research, scholarly exchange, access to digital and physical archives, and academic mobility programs.
Why It Matters
This meeting was far more than a routine visit to a library. It marked a meaningful step in strengthening scientific diplomacy between Kazakhstan and France and a contribution to rethinking the Turkic heritage through the prism of European archives.
At a time of growing global interest in cultural identity and the historical context of Central Asia, gaining access to underexplored sources could lead to new understandings of the region’s uniqueness and its place in world history.
