The Turkic world gathered in Hungary. Kazakhstan took part in the Great Kurultai of Turkic Peoples in the Bugac steppe, presenting its national music, folklore and traditional crafts, DKNews.kz reports.
The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hungary participated in the opening ceremony of the Great Kurultai of Turkic Peoples, held on August 15 in Bugac. The event was organized by the Magyar-Turán Foundation.
Bugac brought together representatives of Turkic organizations and countries
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of international organizations, politicians, cultural figures and public leaders.
Among the guests were Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev, President of the Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev, Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev, and member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Kürşad Zorlu.
The event was also attended by Minister of Culture of the Republic of Karakalpakstan Begisbay Temirbayev, President of the Magyar-Turán Foundation András Bíró, Mayor of Bugac László Szabó, and other distinguished guests.
Speakers at the opening emphasized the significance of the Kurultai as one of the largest cultural events of its kind in Europe and highlighted its role in bringing together peoples who regard themselves as descendants of Hunnic-Turkic tribes.
For Kazakhstan, participation in such a gathering also carries a clear cultural and diplomatic dimension. The country was represented not only at the official level, but also through its music, folklore and traditional crafts.
Arkaiym and Sherter represented Kazakh culture
Kazakhstan’s presence at the Kurultai extended well beyond the official ceremony.
The Kazakh neo-ethno duo Arkaiym and the Sherter folklore ensemble performed for the audience alongside traditional groups from other Turkic countries, presenting both contemporary and traditional expressions of Kazakh culture.
This format gives the Kurultai a character that goes beyond diplomacy. Official contacts are combined with music, national dress, handicrafts and historical traditions.
Kazakh craftsmen took part in the Eastern Bazaar
Another major part of the program was the Eastern Bazaar.
The venue hosted exhibitions and craft fairs featuring artisans from Kazakh, Uzbek, Turkmen, Azerbaijani, Turkish and Uyghur communities.
Visitors were able to experience Turkic culture not only on stage, but also through traditional objects and craftsmanship preserved in everyday cultural practice.
This creates direct interaction between communities living in different countries but connected by shared historical and cultural traditions.
The Great Kurultai is held in Hungary every two years
The Great Kurultai of Turkic Peoples is traditionally held in the Bugac steppe in Hungary.
The event takes place once every two years. Since 2010, it has developed into one of the world’s largest festivals dedicated to preserving traditional culture.
Its geography is particularly notable. One of the largest gatherings of the Turkic cultural world is held not in Central Asia or Türkiye, but in the heart of Europe.
Kazakhstan’s participation also complements the broader cultural ties between Astana and Budapest. Hungary has been involved in the work of Turkic institutions, while historical and cultural connections have become a consistent element of bilateral relations.
DKNews.kz previously reported on how Kazakhstan and Hungary are deepening cooperation through historical and cultural ties. That cooperation has also highlighted Hungary’s role in strengthening engagement with the wider Turkic world.
In Bugac, those ties took on a tangible cultural form: representatives of international organizations, performers and artisans gathered on one platform, while Kazakhstan presented its music and national traditions.
