The variety of arts and crafts is presented at the exhibition "Өner tamshylary" in the Military History Museum of the National Military Patriotic Center of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exhibition includes works by the famous Kazakh artist of applied art Daria Kasteeva and her students - students of the KazNUI College. Among them are works made in such techniques as tapestry, batik, mat weaving and felting.

"I think this exhibition is, first of all, a great incentive for my students. I want them to be inspired to work further and better. I myself presented about 20 of my works here. These are tapestries, and works made in oil. After all, I am the daughter of an artist and grew up in a creative environment. In general, I studied at a music school for 8 years, but then I still followed in the footsteps of my parents. Decorative and applied art is not an easy task. First you need to draw, then choose yarn. There was not such a variety of materials as now. We dyed the threads ourselves. My works are mainly dedicated to women. I like to build a composition around the image of a beautiful girl," Daria Kasteeva said.

The exhibition brought together more than 50 works by the teacher and her students. The works are united by national and oriental motifs. Bright and warm creations are presented with elements of national clothing, musical instruments, ornaments, images of apples and tulips.

"This is a celebration of beauty, art, tenderness and love. In the hall of our museum there are figures of batyrs. And behind them are paintings depicting beautiful girls, beautiful flowers. It feels like all the batyrs are guarding this youth, tenderness. An amazing combination, which just reflects the meaning that such a wonderful exhibition of Daria Kasteeva and her wonderful students is held in the Military History Museum," - Aigul Tulembayeva, Advisor to the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, shared her emotions.

Daria Kasteeva is a successor to the creative traditions of the famous dynasty of artists. According to her, the sense of color was passed on to her by her father - a prominent representative of the national school of painting of Kazakhstan of the XX century Mukhit Kalimov, who for many years taught at the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov and raised several generations of domestic masters. Daria Mukhitovna's mother, Liza Kalimova, is a member of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a representative of the rare profession of artist - restorer of decorative and applied art. She works at the A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts and makes a huge contribution to the preservation of the material cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.

"Everyone knows that Daria Mukhitovna belongs to the family of our great artist Kasteev, perhaps this also influenced her creative path. She successfully leads our youth. Decorative and applied art has a special meaning for Kazakhs. Some drawings even formed the basis of Kazakh dance. It seems to me that now, when there are innovations and digitalization all around, it is important to preserve the heritage. I want our youth not to lose their identity and even in this century be able to leave behind the right to be Kazakhs - to look forward, towards the wind of freedom," - said Aisulu Tani, Director of the School and College of KazNUI.

For 15 years, Daria Kasteeva has been teaching the basics of decorative and applied arts to students of the KazNUI College. Over the years, she has graduated many talented students who then continued their studies both in Kazakhstan and abroad. Among the participants of the exhibition is the young Nargiz Beisembekova. She dedicated her work to the inspiring feeling of freedom.

"I chose my painting in the technique of hot batik for the exhibition. You can see the motifs of our national flag. The bird is a symbol of independence, freedom. I am a student of Daria Mukhitovna. I think she is a very talented tapestry maker. In terms of tapestry, she has the most experience in our college and I am glad to study with such a strong teacher," - said Nargiz Beisembekova.

Decorative and applied art of Kazakhstan keeps centuries-old traditions and secrets. The exhibition became a vivid reflection of how craftsmanship is passed down from generation to generation bit by bit.