The Sacred Memory of the Great Steppe

A master class entitled «The Sacred Memory of the Great Steppe» was held at the Faculty of Journalism of Farabi University. The session was led by Dauren Tasbulatov, an artist, graphic designer and researcher of Kazakh mythology.

During the master class, students of the Faculty of Journalism explored Turkic mythology and the sacred codes of the Tengrist steppe culture through Tasbulatov’s artworks. His paintings reflect the profound meanings embedded in Kazakh fairy tales, legends, epics and mythological characters. In his work, he brings together ancient symbols, sacred imagery and a contemporary artistic vision.

For the artist, mythology is not merely a thing of the past, but a hidden memory preserved by the people – a spiritual map encoded with ideas about human existence and destiny. Through his paintings and illustrations, Dauren Tasbulatov explores the roots of national identity, the cultural code and human consciousness.

The sacred memory of the Great Steppe is revealed in such works as «Sut Ana», «Zher Ana», «Ot Ana», «Didar Qyz» and many others.

His paintings encourage philosophical reflection on the world and nature, while awakening cultural memory. The researcher seeks to reveal the potential of oral folklore, an area of Kazakh cultural studies that he believes has not yet received the recognition it deserves. In the artist’s view, this heritage holds the foundations of the national idea.

Dauren Tasbulatov’s mission is to promote Kazakh and Turkic mythology through his paintings, books and an encyclopaedia dedicated to Turkic mythology and the characters of Kazakh fairy tales, which he has been developing for several years. This research and creative project explores myths, epics and fairy tales, examining their origins, etymology, symbolic meanings and the roles of individual characters. The project is being developed in collaboration with Turkologists K. Zhanabayev, Z. Nauryzbay and S. Kondybay.

Such meetings and master classes broaden students’ horizons, foster a deeper understanding of the creative process and works of art, and encourage greater interest in Kazakh mythology.

This group photograph will remain a lasting memory of the meeting.

Saule Barlybayeva and Aigerim Alzhanova
Faculty of Journalism, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University