The "Kazakhstan – France 2026" Museology Forum opened at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event is dedicated to the preservation of historical and cultural heritage, the development of museums, innovation, and digital transformation.
The opening ceremony was attended by Aida Balayeva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Sylvain Guiguet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Kazakhstan; Valérie Freland, Executive Director of the ALIPH Foundation; and Aaro Ylitalo, Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan and First Advisor.
The forum was a continuation of the IV International Kazakhstan Museum Congress. It brought together museum specialists, scientists, restorers, architects, and cultural heritage experts from Kazakhstan, France, Central Asian countries, and the Turkic world.
Speaking at the opening, Aida Balayeva noted that the forum is being held on the eve of Culture and Art Workers' Day and is of particular importance for developing professional dialogue in the museum sector. "President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pays special attention to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. The new Constitution defines culture and national values ​​as among the most important foundations of national development. This makes the preservation of historical and cultural heritage of strategic importance. Museums today are not only spaces for storing exhibits, but also centers of science, education, creative industries, and digital technologies," noted Aida Balayeva.
It is worth noting that there are currently 286 museums in Kazakhstan, with collections containing over 4.5 million exhibits. Over 6.5 million people visit the country's museums annually. This demonstrates that interest in history, culture, and national heritage is becoming a persistent public demand.
French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiguet noted that the forum reflects the development of the agreements reached during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to France in 2024 and opens up new opportunities for practical cooperation between museum specialists from the two countries. "Since 2024, French and Kazakh institutions have been consistently developing joint projects. One striking example was the exhibition 'Kazakhstan: Treasures of the Great Steppe' at the Musée Guimet, which attracted over 70,000 visitors. Today, our cooperation continues through the exchange of experience in restoration, conservation, collection management, the creation of museum spaces, and the application of new technologies. I am confident that this forum will open new avenues of partnership between France, Kazakhstan, and specialists from the region," noted Sylvain Guiguet.
One of the forum's key focuses was the development of Kazakh-French cooperation in the museum sector. Particular attention was paid to the topic of the digital museum. Participants will consider issues such as 3D documentation, virtual exhibitions, the use of artificial intelligence, digital inventory of museum objects, and expanding access to collections. A section on intangible cultural heritage, including traditional crafts and their preservation practices in the museum environment, is also planned.