On November 5 and 6, the II International Shoqan Forum, titled “The Phenomenon of Shokan Ualikhanov: The Intellectual Heritage of the Great Steppe in a Global Context,” will take place. The forum is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It will bring together Kazakhstani and international researchers to discuss Shokan Ualikhanov’s scientific legacy, his contribution to the study of Central Asia, and the significance of his research for contemporary humanities.
The forum is organized by the Uly Dala Akademiyasy Research Center and the AlmaU Center for Creative Industries, in cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event is held with the support of the Akimat of Zhetysu Region.
Shoqan Forum is an annual international academic forum dedicated to the study and contemporary interpretation of the legacy of the outstanding Kazakh scholar, traveler, and educator. The first forum was held in 2025, marking the 190th anniversary of Shokan Ualikhanov’s birth. The second forum will continue this initiative, expanding its participant base and research agenda.
The forum’s academic program will explore the historical and scientific significance of Shokan Ualikhanov’s works, his contribution to the development of knowledge about Central Asia, and the place of his research in the history of Kazakhstani and global science. Archival documents, manuscripts, correspondence, field notes, and cartographic materials provide opportunities to clarify biographical details, reconstruct expedition routes, and examine Ualikhanov’s academic connections.
“Shoqan Ruhyna Tagzym”: Preserving Memory and Connecting Generations
On November 6, the forum will continue in the village of Shankhanai, Kerbulak District, Zhetysu Region, at the Shokan Ualikhanov Memorial Complex. The off-site program, titled “Shoqan Ruhyna Tagzym,” will be dedicated to honoring the scholar’s memory and preserving his historical and spiritual legacy.
The program includes a visit to Shokan Ualikhanov’s burial site and museum, as well as a memorial meal. Holding the off-site part of the forum in Shankhanai, with the support of the Akimat of Zhetysu Region, highlights the region’s role in preserving the memory of the outstanding scholar and educator.
Shoqan Forum aims to promote international academic cooperation, deepen research into Shokan Ualikhanov’s legacy, and expand professional dialogue among representatives of academia, culture, and the media. The forum also seeks to explore contemporary ways of presenting the intellectual heritage of the Great Steppe within the international academic and cultural landscape.
To participate in the event, please complete the registration form using the following link: https://forms.gle/QhXHZfCq8kYeRntt6