Central Asian Archaeology and Cultural Heritage delegation visits BU (July 17, 2023)
The Pardee School of Global Studies and the CAS Archaeology Program hosted a visiting delegation of cultural heritage specialists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan on July 17, 2023. Sponsored by the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, the program “21st Century ChangeMakers: Preserving and Protecting Cultural Heritage and Identities” included the following participants:
• Mr. Rustam Kairyyev (Almaty, Kazakhstan) is the chairman of the Union of Uyghur Youth of Kazakhstan. As chairman, he works on the development and preservation of the culture, traditions, customs, and language of the Uyghur nation. This includes organizing various programs to preserve and protect Uyghur cultural heritage, such as festivals, conferences, and exhibitions. Mr. Kairyyev also works with Uyghur youth, improving their legal literacy and helping them find job opportunities.
• Mr. Aidos Yesmagambetov (Astana, Kazakhstan) is a sculptor for the National Theater Astana Musical and makeup artist for the Roza Baglanova National Concert Hall. In addition, he is a professional photographer and artist who works closely with archaeologists, anthropologists, and museum curators to replicate historically famous figures. Mr. Yesmagambetov created sculptures for several historical sites in Kazakhstan that recreate the history of Central Asia. His sculptures and partnerships with historians contribute to the safekeeping of Kazakh cultural identity. Mr. Yesmagambetov is also interested in applying his expertise to forensic anthropological tasks, working with human remains from archaeological sites. An example of Mr. Yesmagambetov’s work can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjX-ZsL3Mho
• Mr. Kanat Chinbotoev (Tasharyk Village, Kyrgyz Republic) is the director and founder of the Eldik Murasker Foundation, a community-based organization that aims to protect artifacts of Kyrgyz cultural heritage from export to other countries. His organization engages with local citizens to prevent the sale of cultural treasures to foreign buyers and has raised funds to purchase such items for display at the Manas Ordo historic site in Talas Province.
• Ms. Aisin Duishanalieva (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic) is the director of the Republican Inspectorate for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic. She monitors the condition and use of historical and cultural heritage sites, ensuring compliance with regulations and safety measures during construction work. Ms. Duishanalieva also establishes maintenance protocols and collaborates with stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of heritage sites and cultural artifacts.
• Mr. Abdurahmon Pulotov (Dushanbe, Tajikistan) is a researcher at the National Museum of Antiquities of the Institute for History, Archaeology, and Ethnography of the Academy of Sciences in the Republic of Tajikistan. In addition to his research responsibilities, he is involved in formulating acquisition plans for scientific research. He also contributes to the development of the museum, and to design concepts for displays and exhibitions. Mr. Pulotov delivers lectures on his research related to cultural and national heritage topics.
• Ms. Dilrabo Dadaeva (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) is the divisional leader of the International Relations Division at the Uzarchive agency, the national archives of the Republic of Uzbekistan. She is responsible for fostering collaborations with local and foreign archives and museums, including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and scientific institutions with a particular focus on archiving. Ms. Dadaeva advocates for the digitalization of public services and has spearheaded initiatives that have introduced remote services, facilitating convenient public access to archives of historical materials and data.
• Mr. Muminkhon Saidov (Samarkand, Uzbekistan) is the director of the Samarkand Institute of Archaeology (Agency of Cultural Heritage, Republic of Uzbekistan). He is responsible for developing the strategic vision of the institute’s research. Mr. Saidov oversees, coordinates, and directs multiple archaeological crews during archaeological surveys and excavation projects. Under Mr. Saidov’s leadership, numerous archaeologists at the institute undertook excavations with active community engagement. He also lectures on archaeology and conducts outreach programs highlighting the historical significance of archaeological discoveries.
Hosts for Boston University’s Pardee School included Robert Murowchick (CAS Archaeology Program), Maria Elena Rivera-Beckstrom and Grant Rhode. The visit was organized and facilitated by WorldBoston and Meridian International Center. The delegation was accompanied by two exceptional interpreters who handled simultaneous translation. Their wide-ranging discussion included the repatriation of looted art and antiquities; cultural heritage protection policies on national and private land; ongoing fieldwork and museum projects and opportunities for student participants; and international publication plans to bring Central Asian cultural heritage protection work to a broader international audience. The delegation is also visiting museums and university programs in Washington DC and Los Angeles.
