In Astana, the exhibition "A Hand in a Mitten" was opened at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, organized jointly with the Estonian National Museum. The event takes place within the framework of the state visit of the President of Estonia to Kazakhstan. The exposition is dedicated to Estonian mittens, which are an important element of national clothing and traditional culture of the country.

The solemn ceremony was attended by the head of Estonia, Alar Karis, and his wife, Sirje Karis, Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva, the Estonian delegation, representatives of the diplomatic corps and intellectuals of both countries.

In his welcoming speech, Mr. Karis expressed gratitude to the organizers of the exhibition and the National Museum for the warm welcome.

“For northern peoples, mittens have always been a natural and integral part of life. I think the same can be said about Kazakhstan. The traveling exhibition of the Estonian National Museum reveals the history of Estonians: it shows our patterns and symbols, our people, the image of an Estonian mother or grandmother. Yes, a significant part of our culture was passed down through women. Through those who preserved the home and family, protected folk wisdom, traditions, customs and culture. The heart of our culture and spirit has always been in the caring hands of women. And we deeply appreciate and honor this. May this exhibition have many visitors, because by being interested in each other's culture and our view of the world, we become wiser and more humane,” the President of the Republic of Estonia noted in his speech.

In her response, Aida Balayeva expressed confidence that the joint exhibition will be a new step towards strengthening cultural cooperation and a basis for new joint projects in the field of crafts and museum affairs.

“For Kazakhstan, acquaintance with the cultural heritage of Estonia is of particular importance. Such exhibitions reveal new facets of national identity and create opportunities for creative dialogue. The name of the exhibition - "A Hand in a Mitten" - is filled with deep meaning. It reflects not only craftsmanship and skill, but also the warm, trusting relations inherent in the peoples of our countries. Just as a hand and a mitten complement each other, so our cultures, while maintaining their uniqueness, find harmony in the common desire to preserve traditions and develop them in a modern context,” the minister added.

The exposition presents replicas of museum artifacts inspired by examples from the Middle Ages to the present day. Each pattern, color and ornament bears the imprint of time, regional traditions and personal stories of the masters. The works were created in collaboration with the Viljandi Culture Academy of the University of Tartu, based on original items from the collection of the Estonian National Museum.

The traveling exhibition has already visited a number of European countries, including Hungary, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece and Estonia, and is now presented to the Kazakh public.

The project also includes an educational program prepared by the Estonian National Museum. Participants will be able to learn about the symbolism of the patterns and try to creatively interpret traditional ornamentation.

The exhibition will last until December 28, 2025.