The famous photographer and anthropologist Martin Gray gave an interview in which he spoke about his new book and impressions from visiting Kazakhstan. In his book "Places that Changed Humanity: Power, Authority, History, Religion," he included the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in the list of 500 sacred places in the world. We talked with Gray about his impressions of this unique pilgrimage site and his many years of travel.

— Martin, tell us how you started working on the book and why you chose the topic of sacred places?

— I have always been fascinated by how different cultures express their spirituality and revere sacred places. For twenty years, I traveled the world, visiting more than 1,000 holy sites in 80 countries. In my book "Places that Changed Humanity: Power, Authority, History, Religion," I share memories and photographs of these unique places. Each of them has its own history and significance in a religious and cultural context.

— Your list of 500 sacred places in the world includes the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Kazakhstan. Why did you decide to include it?

— In 2015, I visited Kazakhstan and was impressed by the architectural beauty and religious significance of the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum. This place occupies an important place in Central Asia as a center of pilgrimage and spiritual development. I try to avoid absolute terms such as "favorite" or "only," but this place really impressed me with its uniqueness.

— You mentioned the importance of pilgrimage. How do you feel about the idea of turning such places into tourist attractions?

— This is a difficult question. On the one hand, such places with monumental architecture are really of interest to tourists and can become a hallmark of the country. On the other hand, it is important to remember their spiritual significance. I want people to visit these places with respect, understanding their sacred nature. Not all tourists behave like pilgrims, which can be a problem.

— Plans for the future? Will you return to Kazakhstan?

— I would be happy to return to Kazakhstan and explore new cultural and historical sites. I have always been inspired by the richness of history and culture, and I would be happy to explore other museums and reserves in your country. It is important to continue to discover new things and share this experience with the world.

— Tell us a little about your book and its availability.

— The book "Places that Changed Humanity: Power, Authority, History, Religion" has been published in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. This makes it available in bookstores and online in each of these countries. I hope that it will become a source of inspiration for many and help to open new horizons.

Note that the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum is a mausoleum on the grave of the Turkic poet and founder of the Sufi order Yasawiya Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, located in the city of Turkestan in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. The author of the project is Tamerlane. Date of foundation — XIV century. It is the central object on the territory of the historical and cultural museum-reserve "Hazret-sultan".