The NU Library invites you to the presentation of “Woven Heritage: Central Asian Textiles” (HALI, 2025) by Snezhana Atanova and Tereza Hejzlarová.

Book Description:

“When we say that the textile art of Central Asia goes back to ancient times, we think immediately of the Pazyryk carpet (5th–4th centuries BCE). Alongside this most ancient pile carpet, the excavated burial mounds of the Altai people in Siberia also revealed a felt carpet with appliqués, and wonderful variations of other textile pieces made of felt, wool, and silk. A comparison of finds from the Issyk burial mound (6th–5th centuries BCE) in southeastern Kazakhstan, the treasures of Noin-Ula (late 1st century BCE to the first half of the 1st century CE) in northern Mongolia, and, finally, the discoveries at Ukok on the Russian border with Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan (5th–3rd centuries BCE), suggests a close connection between nomadic peoples. Their artistic aesthetic unfolded across the vast expanse of the Great Steppe, from Transbaikalia in the east to the Danube in the west, where archaeological evidence reveals that nomadic peoples were familiar with both wool and silk, a testament to their vibrant exchanges and enduring contacts with settled neighbours.”

This preface opens the book Central Asian Textiles, which Snezhana Atanova, Assistant Professor at Nazarbayev University, is pleased to present. We will discuss how textiles are interwoven with the history of Central Asia and how they accompany people throughout the entire cycle of life, from birth to death, playing a central role in rites of passage, everyday practices, and festive celebrations.

We will also explore why it is essential to study textiles, to engage in dialogue with artisans and bearers of traditional knowledge, to preserve specialized terminology, and to support the continuity of traditional textile crafts. Particular attention will be devoted to questions of scholarly attribution, including how to identify and establish the correct attribution of textile works in museum collections.

We will also examine cases in which works of Central Asian art have remained misattributed. Finally, we will address the issue of cultural appropriation, discussing how the motifs and forms of Central Asian textiles are sometimes adopted by unscrupulous designers without proper acknowledgment of their true origins.

About the Author:

Snezhana Atanova is an Assistant Professor at Nazarbayev University. As an ethnographer, she specializes in the material cultural heritage of Central Asia, exploring both the contemporary treasures of local bazaars and the antique masterpieces of museum collections. Her research reexamines the region’s rich artisanal traditions and material culture, focusing on how they are connected to the history, traditions, and everyday life of Central Asia.

Join us to explore the rich textile heritage of Central Asia, gain insights into its cultural significance, and engage in a thought-provoking discussion with the author.

Venue: Nazarbayev University Library, 5e.228 (Conference Hall)  

Security Pass and Registration Confirmation: For external guest, please make sure to inform Diana Baidollinova at diana.baidollinova@nu.edu.kz or at  87059143143 to grant your security pass. In the request please include your name as in ID and if you get by the car, then the plate number.