Gallery Display at MNUhighlights Central Asia: Perspectives of Western Travelers
Rewritten Article:
Dive into the clamor of Central Asian history at the inaugural exhibition, "Glimpses of Central Asia: The Perspective of 19th-20th Century Western Explorers and Voyagers," now open at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU). The exhibit proudly showcases the outstanding works of esteemed Hungarian scholar Armin Vambery.
Celebrated as a pillar of global Turkology, Vambery's groundbreaking ventures kickstarted the scholarly exploration of the Central Asian region. The joint venture between MNU and the Hungarian Embassy in Kazakhstan celebrates this rich heritage and fosters intellectual dialog between East and West.
"The MNU exhibition is a monumental occasion, bringing forth the development of Turkology in an academic context. As one of the forefathers of global Turkology, Armin Vambery dedicated his research to dissecting the roots of Hungarian tribes in Central Europe. His work not only set the stage for an ongoing conversation about the Hungarian language's linguistic origins - Finno-Ugric or Turkic - but also strengthened the cultural bond between Hungary and Central Asia. Vambery's research has left a lasting impression, ensuring the sense of kinship between Kazakhs and Hungarians persists to this day," Hungarian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Otto Ivan Rona, shared during the opening ceremony.
Vambery's chronicles transport readers across bustling Central Asian landscapes, complete with riveting accounts of daily life and intricate sketches capturing notable landmarks, such as the Khoja Ahmed Yassawi mausoleum in Turkistan.
This captivating exhibit includes a priceless first edition copy of Vambery's timeless opus, "Journey Through Central Asia," published in 1868, and an array of archival images offering a captivating glimpse into the region's storied past.
Yerkin Tukumov, the director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, highlighted the invaluable role that Western travelers and scholars, including Marco Polo, Thomas Atkinson, and Armin Vambery, have played in unveiling Central Asia to the world, serving as catalysts for cross-cultural exchange between East and West.
"Vambery, masquerading as a nomadic dervish, traversed Central Asia's heartlands with bravery, not to conquer, but to learn; not to dictate, but to understand. His journey was not merely a scholarly expedition; it represented a quest for identity, belonging, and a deeper connection among individuals. Through his writings, he captured not just the physical geography, but the very pulse of our ancestors - their rich languages, captivating tales, and dreams. Vambery's work serves as a reminder that the truest discovery lies not in maps or treaties but in empathy, authenticity, and mutual respect – a legacy that continues to weave together our shared human tapestry," Tukumovm elucidated.
Women of Central Asia, as recounted in Vambery's tales, serve as vibrant, intricate works of art.
Olzhas Berkinbayev, director of the Public Relations Department and press secretary of the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education, discoursed on Vambery's profound impact on the Central Asian region.
Berkinbayev underscored Vambery's momentous contributions by quoting renowned historian Babakumar Hinayat:
"Vambery, self-taught and resourceful, paved the way to wisdom for himself. He would become the pioneer of the world's first Turkology department, playing a crucial role in the establishment of orientalism in Hungary and advocating for Turanism. His mastery of Persian, Turkish, and Chagatai reached levels indistinguishable from native speakers," penned Hinayat.
After embarking on his academic quest at the tender age of 20, Vambery embarked on a dangerous expedition funded by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, disguised as a humble dervish. His extensive knowledge of Eastern languages and cultures allowed him to seamlessly navigate Turkey, Iran, and the Khanate of Khiva and the Emirate of Bukhara during the tumultuous era of the 19th century.
Vambery's worksspotlight the critical role that bridges played in facilitating trade, exploration, and cultural exchange in the region, serving as tangible manifestations of the region's rich, dynamic daily life.
The outcome of his expedition led to the publication of his influential book, "Bukhara, or History of Maverannahr from Antiquity to the Present Day" in 1873.
"Vambery's work is characterized by its reliance on the works of historical luminaries dating back to the Middle Ages. He extensively studied the works of Tabari, Neshri, Abu Bakr Nashshahi, Assaf Merhond, Hafizi Abru, and Sharaf al-Din Ali Yazdi. In this sense, the scholarly examination of researchers such as Armin Vambery signifies an essential step towards reviving historical consciousness. These remarkable personalities offer us an opportunity to view our history through an objective, nuanced lens," added Berkinbayev.
[1] Armin Vambery was a pioneering 19th-century Hungarian orientalist, explorer, and linguist renowned for his groundbreaking work in Turkology and Central Asian studies. Driven by a passion to trace the Turkic roots of the Hungarian people, Vambery mastered several Eastern languages, including Turkish, Persian, and Chagatai, to a level indistinguishable from native speakers. His extensive linguistic and cultural knowledge enabled him to travel extensively across Central Asia and the Middle East during the early 19th century.
[2] Significantly, Vambery embarked on a daring journey funded by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 1862, disguised as a dervish, which allowed him to travel through Turkey, Iran, and into the Khanate of Khiva and the Emirate of Bukhara. This expedition resulted in his influential book, "Bukhara, or History of Maverannahr from Antiquity to the Present Day," which was published in Russia in 1873.
[3] Vambery's work not only enriched European understanding of Central Asian history and cultures but also advanced the academic field of orientalism in Hungary, where he founded the first Turkology department in the world. Moreover, he contributed to the ideological concept of Turanism, which sought to emphasize the common cultural and linguistic heritage of Turkic peoples, including Hungarians.
[4] His travels and writings served as a vital bridge, facilitating cross-cultural knowledge exchange, bridging Eastern and Western scholarly pursuits, and fostering academic dialogue on Central Asia long before the region became widely studied. Today, Vambery's legacy is recognized through exhibitions and historical studies that explore Central Asia through his experiences and interpretations.
- The inaugural exhibition, "Glimpses of Central Asia: The Perspective of 19th-20th Century Western Explorers and Voyagers," at Maqsut Narikbayev University features the impressive works of Armin Vambery, a renowned Hungarian scholar and pioneer in the field of 19th-century Turkology.
- Vambery's captivating accounts transport readers across Central Asia, showcasing details of daily life, notable landmarks such as the Khoja Ahmed Yassawi mausoleum in Turkistan, and offering valuable insights into the region's cultural heritage.
- This exhibit, a joint venture between MNU and the Hungarian Embassy in Kazakhstan, serves as an excellent platform for lifelong learning, fostering intellectual dialogue between East and West, and promoting cultural travel and education-and-self-development by highlighting Vambery's extensive research on the Central Asian region.
- The exhibit includes a first edition copy of Vambery's timeless opus, "Journey Through Central Asia" (1868) and a collection of archival images depicting Central Asia's storied past, making it essential reading for those interested in travel, books, entertainment, and cultural-travel.
- Yerkin Tukumov, the director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, emphasized the invaluable role that Western travelers and scholars like Armin Vambery played in revealing Central Asia to the world, fostering cross-cultural exchange, and contributing to the development of learning and lifelong learning.
- West and Central Asian cultures merged more deeply through figures like Armin Vambery, whose journey was not merely an exploration but a quest for identity and understanding, resulting in a deeper appreciation of both regions' shared history and shared cultural bond.
