Astana hosted the Kazakhstan Museum Congress dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. More than 100 researchers and museum workers from 12 countries took part in the event. As part of the large-scale event, the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva held a meeting with the Director of the Islamic Art Department of the Louvre Museum Surayya Nujaim and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiguet.

The parties discussed issues of strengthening cultural ties and expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and France. The Minister proposed to continue strengthening the partnership between Astana and Paris in research work within the framework of studying the historical and cultural heritage of the two countries and emphasized the importance of joint research in the field of museum affairs.

Aida Balayeva proposed that her French colleagues organize symposiums, exhibitions and scientific conferences, training sessions and seminars that would facilitate the exchange of experience and strengthen cooperation between the museums of the two countries.

"Our meeting today is significant, and I think that it will contribute to the fact that, just as with the Guimet Museum, we will closely cooperate and work with the Louvre. As a minister, I am interested in scientific research cooperation. Our joint efforts, I am sure, will allow us to discover new, previously unknown historical facts and findings. The priority is the scientific research direction. It opens up great prospects for both parties."The Kazakh culture is rich in unique artifacts that deserve the attention of the international scientific community, but at the same time it is terra incognita that is looking for its discoverers," the minister noted, inviting Louvre specialists to visit Kazakhstan.

Suraiya Nujaim, in turn, expressed interest in expanding cooperation between the countries, emphasizing that the Louvre would be interested in joint research in the field of restoration and study of cultural heritage.

"It is very interesting for us to develop scientific research cooperation. We are ready to consider partnership in this area, since joint research can expand our knowledge of the culture of Kazakhstan and make discoveries that will be significant for both sides," said the director of the Department of Islamic Art of the Louvre Museum.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiguet noted that scientific cooperation is a promising area for both countries. He also emphasized that the French Embassy is ready to help in the implementation of these projects and develop partnerships in the scientific and cultural spheres.

At the meeting, a decision was made to specifically develop a program and document on cooperation, which will become the basis for strengthening cultural and scientific ties between Kazakhstan and France.

gov.kz