From the Bosphorus to the Great Steppe: Art as a Bridge Between Cultures

On November 10, 2026, faculty members of the Department of Turkish Studies and History of the East attended the grand opening of the art exhibition entitled “Following the Traces of Water: From the Bosphorus to the Great Steppe,” organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Almaty.

Turkish artist Ahmet Öğreten was born in 1965 in Antalya. He received his art education at specialized art studios and enrolled in the Painting Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Mimar Sinan University in 1995. His artistic practice encompasses watercolor painting, graphic arts, photography, and the traditional Turkish art of Ebru. He has held 11 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 30 group exhibitions. He also conducts art workshops and shares his experience with young artists.

The artworks on display were created by Turkish artist Ahmet Öğreten. Held at the Almaty Gallery exhibition hall, the event became a remarkable cultural occasion bringing together art, history, and shared cultural traditions.

The exhibition offered visitors an opportunity to explore the artist’s creative vision and discover the symbolic connections between water, space, and cultural heritage, stretching from the Bosphorus to the vast expanses of the Great Steppe.

For the faculty members, attending the exhibition was not only an opportunity to appreciate contemporary visual art but also a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural ties of the Turkic world, which unite the peoples of Türkiye and Kazakhstan.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Tuğba Alan Özdenfedakar  for her valuable contribution to the organization and successful realization of this wonderful cultural event. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Almaty for the invitation, warm hospitality, and opportunity to be part of this significant cultural occasion!