Folk art and the formation of national identity: the experience of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

In the period from November 2 to November 9, 2025, Professor of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University Zh.O. Artykbayev, as well as associate professors of the Department of Political Science T.S. Kalenova and G.S. Abdrakhmanov made a research trip to the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi (Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan).
   The scientific trip was organized within the framework of the research program BR28713029 "Research of the social role of folk art in the formation of modern national identity: modification and reconstruction of spiritual culture". 
        During the visit, the research group held a scientific seminar with the faculty of the Department of Political Science of Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after A. Navoi. During the meeting, political scientist, PhD, Head of the Department of Political Science K. Abdurazakova presented a monograph on the development of Kazakh-Uzbek relations and bilateral cooperation.
 The research trip was aimed at developing scientific cooperation between the two countries, as well as strengthening mutual understanding and partnership in the field of national spiritual heritage research. Based on the results of the research, new areas of scientific cooperation have been identified, and joint research projects are planned in the future.
Lectures were given to students of 3-4 courses of Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi.
Within the framework of the scientific project, the Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan conducted work on the study of literature and scientific works.
        In the context of the modern globalization process, the preservation of national identity is a key mechanism for ensuring the spiritual security of the state and cultural integrity. In this context, folk art acquires special significance as a manifestation of the historical memory of a nation and its cultural code.
          The conducted research, based on interviews with residents and elders of the villages of Darkhan, Nazarbek and Ramadan, comprehensively analyzed the role and importance of folk art in the modern socio-cultural context. The results obtained indicate that for rural communities folk art is not only an element of cultural heritage, but also performs a socially integrative function, contributing to the strengthening of social unity and solidarity.  Collective events, such as the celebration of Nauryz, play an important role in strengthening spiritual ties between people and contribute to the formation of mutual respect and consolidation of society.
       One of the key objectives of the business trip was to get acquainted with the scientific, cultural and educational activities of the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, as well as to consider and discuss the prospects for further international scientific cooperation.
           The Center of Islamic Civilization of Uzbekistan is one of the largest cultural, scientific and educational complexes in the country. During the research trip, a meeting was held with the Administrative Secretary of the Center for Islamic Civilization, Jabborov Rustamjon Madievich, during which prospects for the development of scientific cooperation were discussed.
The data collected during the research represents significant and original material corresponding to the topic of the scientific project. The information obtained provides an opportunity to study the cultural sphere of the population, as well as the functional significance of folk art in modern society.