Kazakhstan and the Golden Horde: UNESCO Senior Representative: The Golden Horde Bears Witness to the History of Eurasian Civilizational Connectivity
Source: Kazak International News Agency — According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, on the 19th, UNESCO Senior Representative Lazar Asomo Elenud stated that the Golden Horde encapsulates the grand historical process of Eurasia, fully demonstrating that the steppes once served as a vital hub for population migration, material exchange, and civilizational interconnection.
On the same day, the international academic conference titled "The Golden Horde – A Paradigm of Steppe Civilization: History, Archaeology, Culture, Identity" opened in the capital city of Astana. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan attended the opening ceremony.
The forum was held with strong support from UNESCO, gathering renowned scholars, experts, and representatives from international research institutions both within and outside Kazakhstan. Participants conducted systematic and in-depth discussions on the historical legacy of Jochi Ulus and its role in shaping the civilization of Central Eurasia.
In his opening speech, UNESCO Acting Deputy Director-General Lazar Asomo Elenud particularly emphasized the historical significance of the Golden Horde as a space of cultural convergence.
"The Golden Horde embodies core values such as diversity and inclusivity. It not only wrote an important chapter in the history of Eurasia but also showcased the vitality of the steppes as a center for population movement, trade, and cultural interaction. It was a highly inclusive political and cultural space where different religions, languages, art forms, and scientific knowledge converged, influenced each other, and coexisted. To this day, it remains a historical exemplar of intercultural dialogue and civilizational diversity," said Elenud.
Experts attending the event generally agreed that studying history is not merely about remembering the past, but more importantly about deepening our understanding of current civilizational processes and thereby providing insights for future development. Against the backdrop of rising global uncertainty and intertwined challenges, the historical experience of the Golden Horde and the Silk Road clearly illustrates that civilizations can achieve shared prosperity only through mutual learning, exchange, and open cooperation.
"The theme of this seminar aligns closely with UNESCO’s core mission. For over three decades, UNESCO’s ‘Silk Road’ project has continuously demonstrated to the world that the Silk Road was not just a network of commercial routes, but also a crucial space for deep cultural interaction and integration. It must be emphasized that today’s Kazakhstan and its vast surrounding regions were key nodes in this network," Elenud pointed out.
The holding of this international academic seminar not only provides an important platform for strengthening international scientific collaboration and advancing interdisciplinary research, but also offers a significant opportunity to further promote and disseminate the historical and cultural heritage of the 'Steppe' on the global stage.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865686828360899/
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