Astana Hosts International Dialogue on the Legacy of the Golden Horde

On 19-20 May, Astana hosted the International Symposium “The Golden Horde as a Model of Steppe Civilization: History, Archaeology, Culture and Identity”, bringing together more than 300 leading scholars, experts and specialists from 23 countries.

The forum was held under the chairmanship of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with the support of UNESCO. It was attended by representatives of international organisations, state bodies, academic institutions and research centres, including Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Acting Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO and Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Arslan Koichiev, State Secretary of the Kyrgyz Republic; Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan; Audrey Azoulay, President of the La France s’engage Foundation; Sodnomsambuu Demberel, President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences; Shavkat Ayupov, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and others.

The main outcome of the symposium was the adoption of a Resolution reflecting the agreed approaches of the international academic community to the study and promotion of the heritage of the Golden Horde and the civilization of the Great Steppe. The document was prepared following plenary and sectional sessions, during which participants discussed the historical, cultural and civilizational significance of the Great Steppe’s heritage.

Addressing the participants, President Tokayev noted that the Golden Horde was one of the largest political structures in Eurasia, connecting East and West and having a significant impact on the development of various civilizations and states. The Head of State stressed that the chronicle of the Golden Horde forms part of the common history of humanity, and that its study requires an objective, professional and politically neutral approach.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also underlined that the history of the Golden Horde should not be reduced solely to a military chronicle. According to him, it is necessary to reveal its civilizational matrix — its intellectual and spiritual traditions, stable governance institutions, developed economy, legal culture, diplomatic ties and role in shaping Eurasian trade routes.

In the adopted Resolution, the participants expressed support for the efforts of the Republic of Kazakhstan aimed at expanding international academic cooperation in the study of the historical and cultural heritage of the Golden Horde. The role of UNESCO in advancing scientific and educational dialogue, preserving cultural heritage and supporting research progress was also separately highlighted.

The document emphasizes the need to consolidate the efforts of the international scientific community and relevant organisations for the systematic study and promotion of the Golden Horde’s heritage through interstate cultural, humanitarian and research projects. Particular attention is given to a new, comprehensive understanding of the historical role of the Golden Horde in a broader civilizational context.

The Resolution notes that the Golden Horde represented a unique example of a multicultural society based on ethnic and religious diversity. Participants emphasized its significant contribution to the development of the political and cultural tradition of the Great Steppe, international trade, diplomacy, legal institutions, numismatics, arts and crafts, as well as to the evolution of nomadic and urban civilizations in Central Eurasia.

Special attention in the document is paid to the preservation of the archaeological monuments of the Golden Horde as an integral part of the world’s historical and cultural heritage. Participants also stressed the need to protect and promote the intangible cultural heritage of the peoples of the Great Steppe, including musical traditions, epic works, oral narratives and folklore.

The symposium confirmed the importance of developing international internships, joint research programmes and academic mobility for scholars working in this field. Participants supported the expansion of interdisciplinary and international research projects aimed at the in-depth study of the Golden Horde’s legacy and the strengthening of long-term scientific cooperation among the countries of Central Eurasia.

In his remarks, the Head of State also emphasized that genuine progress is possible where historical experience is organically combined with a forward-looking vision. According to the President of Kazakhstan, history should serve as a “golden bridge” connecting peoples, rather than as an instrument of division.

Following the event, the participants expressed gratitude to the Republic of Kazakhstan for the high level of organisation of the symposium and for its consistent efforts to advance the Golden Horde theme on the international academic agenda.