An international symposium dedicated to the history of the Altyn Orda (Golden Horde) is underway in Astana. Renowned scholars, including historians, archaeologists, Turkologists, and cultural experts from more than 20 countries, as well as representatives of prominent organizations, have gathered in the Kazakh capital. Addressing the opening ceremony, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the history of the Golden Horde remains an important subject for the global academic community. For Kazakhstan, he said, this period is a vital part of national history. The President called for an objective study of the empire that connected East and West, as well as a reassessment of its influence on the development of various civilizations. President Tokayev proposed focusing research on three key areas: the intellectual legacy of the Golden Horde, its economic model, and its system of governance, which later served as a foundation for many Eurasian states.
«The Jochids ruled over the states of the Great Steppe for more than 600 years, a period comparable, for example, to the reign of such dynasties as the Han or the Habsburgs. This fact reflects the legitimacy and resilience of the system established by the Jochids, which ensured the harmonious coexistence of diverse ethnic groups and religions. In the Golden Horde, a coherent system combining steppe and Islamic law was established. The foundations of public order rested on a legal culture rooted in the Great Yasa of Genghis Khan and, even earlier, in the traditions of the Turkic Khaganate. The institution of the Kurultai also served as a unique model of steppe democracy,» Tokayev said.
President Tokayev emphasized that the new Constitution, adopted via nationwide referendum, clearly enshrines the preservation of continuity with the Great Steppe’s thousand-year historical legacy as a sacred duty. In matters of state, Kazakhstan is the successor to the Golden Horde. The first specialized research institution, the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, has already been established in Kazakhstan. At the same time, he said a large-scale publishing project involving international experts on the Golden Horde should be launched. The Head of State underlined that studying the traditions of steppe statehood based on justice, openness, and intercultural dialogue would contribute to the long-term progress of the entire Central Eurasian region.
«True progress is possible only where historical experience is organically combined with advancement and a forward-looking orientation. The complex history and fate of the Golden Horde remind us that the true strength of states lies in their ability to unite different cultures within a cohesive system of productive humanitarian and political partnership,» Tokayev added.
President Tokayev noted that holding the symposium
under the auspices of UNESCO underscores the global historical significance of
the Golden Horde’s heritage and expressed gratitude to the leadership of the
organization for supporting Kazakhstan’s initiative. The Head of State also
awarded the Order of Qoja Ahmet Yasaui to former UNESCO Director-General Audrey
Azoulay. He highlighted her contribution to the preservation and international
recognition of Kazakhstan’s cultural values, historical memory, and intellectual
heritage.
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