ASTANA – An exhibition of carpets woven in traditional Kazakh designs was held Nov. 26 at the Rixos Hotel to help showcase Kazakh culture to the diplomatic community.
Carpets from the 18th and 19th centuries were presented from the personal collections and antique shop of Berik Alibay.
Serik Babirov, owner of a private handmade carpet shop, and Malika Urazgaliyeva, a fine art expert, told the heads of diplomatic missions and officials from various embassies about the arts and crafts of Kazakhstan.
The event was sponsored by the Ambassadors’ Club, which was established by the Kulanshi Contemporary Art Centre in 2009 and consists of the heads of diplomatic missions and the diplomats of embassies accredited in Astana. The club’s main task is to create an opportunity for unhindered contact between foreign diplomatic missions and representatives of the political, cultural and business elite of Kazakhstan.
Each of the club’s meetings has a different theme meant to showcase the culture and traditions of the Kazakh people, such as unique elements of jewelry design or traditional yurt ornamentation.
Stefano Capaccetti, general manager of Rixos Astana, and Leyla Mahat, head of the Kulanshi Centre, gave opening remarks at the event.
