WELCOME TO KAZAKHSTAN

Serke Kozhamkulov and Kauken Kenzhetayev occupy a special place in the history of professional theater and cinema in Kazakhstan. To mark the anniversaries of these two outstanding artists, the National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan opened an exhibition, "Masters of Cinema." The exhibition features the actors' personal belongings, awards, photographs, and historical documents.Aishagul Bekseitova, curator of the museum's collection, discussed the stories behind these items and why the artists' personal belongings are important testaments to the era.Serke Kozhamkulov is a key figure in the history of Kazakh theater and cinema. The museum's collection contains a large collection of materials related to his work and public activities. Items from the actor's personal collection, as well as those donated by his family, were selected for the exhibition.– Documents and awards reflecting his creative achievements and public activities occupy a special place in Serke Kozhamkulov's legacy. The exhibition features orders, medals, photographs, and archival materials. Among them are the Hammer and Sickle medal, three Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Badge of Honor, and the Order of the October Revolution. Of particular interest are materials related to the awarding of the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR, as well as the document conferring upon him the title of People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR in 1936, says Aishagul Bekseitova.Some exhibits have their own, almost family-like, biography.For example, on August 22, 1976, the Kyrgyz Theatre Society presented Serke Kozhamkulov with a komuz in honor of his anniversary. The family of Culture Minister Ilyas Omarov presented the actor with a cane, and the Kazakhconcert company presented him with a table clock for his 70th birthday.But especially expressive are the items that combine official history with personal memory. "On the inside of one of the chapans, the inscription remains: 'Atymdy koygan atama Kobeyden'—'To my grandfather, who gave me my name, from Kobey.' This chapan was given to Serke Kozhamkulov by the grown-up Kobey, the son of playwright Shakhmet Khusainov and People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR Biken Rimova. Such items allow us to see not only a person's creative path but also their family circle and relationships with loved ones," notes the collection's curator.About twenty more of the actor's personal belongings were temporarily loaned for the exhibition by his daughter, Mariam. Through these items, the image of the famous artist is revealed not only through the stage and film, but also through the spaces of his everyday life.The personal collection of Kauken Kenzhetayev, a prominent figure in Kazakh opera, theater, and cinema, is no less rich.The artist donated some of his belongings to the museum during his lifetime on his own initiative. Among them are his stage costume, photographs, documents, and objects he used in everyday life."Kauken Kenzhetayev's personal collection provides insight into his artistic career, professional connections, and relationships with his contemporaries. For example, in 1956, the writer Sapargali Begalin gave him a dombra for his 40th birthday. This isn't just a musical instrument, but a sign of respect between two artists. There's also another memorable gift: on February 25, 1992, students presented Kauken aga with a souvenir bone pen inscribed "Kauken aga, tugan kunіңіzben!"—"Kauken aga, happy birthday!" The value of such items is determined not only by the material or the method of manufacture. It's equally important to understand who gave them, when, and under what circumstances," explains Aishagul Bekseitova.Among Kenzhetayev's personal belongings is a small folding knife with a horn handle from 1966. This object also attracts visitors' attention: in the museum space, a once-common, everyday object becomes part of the story of a person and the times in which they lived.The exhibition features approximately 150 items from the two artists' legacy. Some of them have rarely been shown to the public before.According to Aishagul Bekseitova, personal items often allow us to get much closer to a historical figure than official biographies."Each museum exhibit is a witness to a specific era. Through the personal belongings of artists, we can learn about their daily lives, creative environment, professional development, and social standing. Orders and awards speak of recognition of their work, and gifts speak of human relationships. Therefore, it is important not only to preserve such items but also to study them, bringing the stories associated with them back to modern viewers."The legacy of Serke Kozhamkulov and Kauken Kenzhetayev is more than just a collection of memorabilia belonging to two famous artists. Through photographs, documents, awards, stage and household items, an entire era of the development of Kazakh theater and cinema is gradually revealed.By preserving these objects, the museum preserves not only the memory of specific individuals. It allows today's viewers to see the history of national art through the lives of individuals—through objects that were once in the hands of those who shaped that history.