Nartai Bekezhanov Memorial Art Museum
The Nartai Bekezhanov Memorial Museum of Art is a cultural and educational institution dedicated to the systematic study, preservation, and promotion of the life and creative legacy of Nartai Bekezhanov - a renowned Kazakh national akyn (folk poet), master of improvisational verse, celebrated composer, and singer known for his silver voice. The museum was established by Decree No. 23 of the Kyzylorda Regional Executive Committee in 1990 and officially opened its doors on October 25, 1993.
The museum building, constructed in the oriental architectural style, is made of silicate brick, consists of two floors, and features two domes. The total area of the facility is 384.1 square meters, with an exhibition area of 296.1 square meters. The exhibition space houses four main halls:
1. "Shapağaty mol jyldar" ("Years of Abundance") Hall - This hall is dedicated to the poet’s childhood and youth, his family environment, and the early stages of his public and cultural life. It features documents, photographs, and household items illustrating his development as a creative figure.
2. "Panorama" Hall - This hall offers an overview of the development of Kazakh literature and art in the first half of the 20th century. It presents the historical and cultural context in which Nartai Bekezhanov lived and worked, alongside information about his contemporaries and spiritual peers.
3. "Nartai’s Creative Achievements" Hall - This hall covers the peak period of the akyn’s artistic career. The exhibits highlight his musical legacy, improvisational poetry (aitys), stage performances, awards, manuscripts, musical scores, and personal belongings such as his dombra and stage costumes.
4. "Nartai’s Ancestral Home" Hall - This section is devoted to the poet’s final years, family life, and the efforts to preserve his spiritual heritage. The interior of a traditional Kazakh yurt has been artistically reconstructed and includes ethnographic artifacts such as pile and flat-woven carpets, wall hangings, saddle bags, cup holders, and other household items.
The museum’s collection currently consists of 15,947 items, including 9,446 objects in the main collection and 6,501 in the auxiliary collection. These include archival documents, photographs, personal letters, stage costumes, vinyl records, audio recordings of Nartai Bekezhanov, as well as documentary and visual materials related to his contemporaries and successors.
Since its opening, the museum has welcomed more than 80,000 visitors between 1993 and 2023. It regularly hosts themed exhibitions, literary and musical evenings, conferences dedicated to the art of aitys (improvised poetic duels), and educational excursions for schoolchildren and students.
The institution’s work extends beyond exhibition activities to include active scientific research. The museum conducts ongoing collection, analysis, and scholarly processing of materials related to the life and works of Nartai Bekezhanov. It also participates in regional and national cultural and educational projects, playing a vital role in promoting oral folk art and traditional Kazakh music.
The Nartai Bekezhanov Memorial Museum of Art is a unique cultural institution that makes a significant contribution to the preservation of the nation’s historical and cultural memory, serving as a living testament to the national spirit and the poetic and musical heritage of the Aral region.