Scientific Research on National Identity Conducted in Almaty

Within the framework of the scientific project BR28713029, "Study of the social role of folk art in the formation of modern national identity: transformation and reconstruction of spiritual culture," project executors Kh.B. Maslov and Zh.Z. Toleubayev visited Almaty on a scientific trip.

The main purpose of the trip was to study the socio-cultural role of folk art in the formation of national identity, to replenish the documentary foundation of the scientific project, and to analyze the transformational processes of spiritual culture in modern society.

During the scientific trip, comprehensive research was conducted at the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Central State Archive of Cine-Photo-Phono Documents of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the RK, and the Central Scientific Library of "Gylym Ordasy". Rare documents, manuscripts, photo documents, and audiovisual materials related to the historical and cultural heritage, traditional worldview, ethnographic features, and folklore of the Kazakh people were collected from the collections of these scientific institutions.

Valuable archival materials were selected and systematized for the scientific chrestomathy being developed as part of the project. In addition, folklore texts, historical genealogies (shezhire), ethnographic descriptions, and scientific works related to cultural heritage preserved in rare collections were studied.

One of the important directions of the trip program was conducting field research. To this end, in-depth interviews were organized with kandases (repatriates), representatives of various ethnic groups, and specialists in the fields of culture and science. During the interviews, the role of national traditions in modern society, issues of preserving cultural identity, the importance of spiritual values in educating the younger generation, and the social function of folk art were widely discussed.

The collected empirical materials made it possible to analyze ethno-cultural changes under the conditions of modern social processes, identify the features of national identity formation, and evaluate the social function of cultural heritage.

As a result of the research, new scientific data was obtained regarding the importance of folk art as a unifying factor in society, the role of traditional culture in ensuring generational continuity, mechanisms for preserving national values in the context of globalization, and the impact of spiritual culture on public consciousness. Furthermore, the collected materials were comparatively analyzed with domestic and international scientific literature, identifying the historical continuity and modern development features of the common cultural and spiritual values of the Turkic peoples.

Following the scientific trip, the documentary and empirical base of the project was significantly expanded, and valuable materials were collected to serve as a foundation for future scientific publications, monographs, educational manuals, and chrestomathies. This work will contribute to a profound study of the place and role of folk art in the formation of national identity, as well as to the development of scientific research aimed at preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.