Iran–Kazakhstan Cultural Night Highlights Silk Road Legacy and Cultural Diplomacy

TEHRAN (Iran News) The “Iran–Kazakhstan Cultural Night” ceremony took place on Monday (Dey 1) in the Blue Hall of the Niavaran Palace Museum, as part of the newly launched “Shared Heritage, Enduring Bond” initiative. Designed by the Center for International Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy of Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, the program aims to introduce the cultural, tourism, and handicraft capacities of different countries and to create platforms for joint cooperation. Kazakhstan was selected as the first focal country of this initiative.

The ceremony was organized in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Iran and featured speeches by Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts; Ontalap Onalbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Iran; and Hojjatollah Ayoubi, Head of the Center for International Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy at the Ministry. A significant number of ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, and figures from cultural and artistic circles were also present.

Speaking at the event, Ontalap Onalbayev highlighted the thousands of years of relations between Iran and Kazakhstan, noting that along the routes of the Great Silk Road, the two nations maintained continuous exchanges and lived in close interaction, much like members of a single community.

Referring to the recent visit of the President of Iran to Kazakhstan in December 2025 and the signing of the 2025–2028 Cultural Exchange Program, as well as other memoranda of understanding in the fields of cinema and archival cooperation, the Kazakh ambassador described these developments as important steps forward. He also announced upcoming plans to hold “Iran Cultural Days in Kazakhstan” and, reciprocally, “Kazakhstan Cultural Days in Iran.”

Onalbayev described the exhibition of historical documents related to bilateral relations as “a valuable treasure for studying shared history.” Titled “Historical Documents of Kazakhstan–Iran Relations,” the exhibition showcased 27 historical documents written in Persian, containing information about the history of the Kazakh people in the 18th and 19th centuries, their socio-economic conditions, relations with neighboring countries, and the political and economic situation of Turkestan.

Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, described the launch of this series of programs during Yalda Night as symbolic. He noted that Yalda itself is one of the oldest and most beautiful elements of shared heritage among Iran and other countries in the region—an ancient ritual that for centuries has brought people together around light, warmth, affection, and hope.

Referring to the previous hosting of the “Armenian Symphony” at Persepolis, Salehi-Amiri said that choosing Kazakhstan as the first guest country of this new initiative was a meaningful step toward strengthening cultural relations. He also pointed to the joint global registration of Nowruz by Iran, Kazakhstan, and other countries, calling it a successful experience that could serve as a valuable model for defining and implementing shared cultural projects with other countries in the region and beyond.

The minister further announced plans to hold the “Tourism Ministers’ Summit and Global Nowruz Celebration” in Tehran on Farvardin 8, 1405 (March 28, 2026), inviting the ambassadors present to encourage the participation of cultural figures and elites from their respective countries in this international event.

Emphasizing the trans-geographical nature of shared heritage, Salehi-Amiri stated that the great cultural and scientific figures who lived across this vast region belong to a land that can rightly be called the “Land of Affection.” He stressed that the goal of hosting such an event went beyond symbolism, aiming instead to examine opportunities and challenges related to tourism development, cultural heritage cooperation, and the promotion of handicrafts.

Hojjatollah Ayoubi, Head of the Center for International Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, remarked that the “miracle of shared heritage” brings people of diverse lands together. He emphasized that in a world overwhelmed by information that creates an illusion of closeness, the best way to truly understand one another remains sitting together and engaging face to face.

The artistic segment of the ceremony featured a performance by the Iranian music group “Pazh,” led by Mortaza Goodarzi, a Khorasani musician and vocalist. This was followed by a performance by the Kazakh music group “Serper” from the Mangystau region, who played traditional pieces using the dombra. The group had previously performed at the Gorgan International Festival.

On the sidelines of the event, a traditional Kazakh yurt (nomadic tent) was set up, along with an exhibition of photographs and handicrafts from Kazakhstan, creating a lively and immersive atmosphere for guests. During the ceremony, the Kazakh ambassador presented a gift to Salehi-Amiri, saying in Persian, “According to Kazakh tradition, I present this gift.”

The ceremony concluded with traditional Iranian and Kazakh dishes served to guests, accompanied by hosting by Seyyed Abbas Sajjadi.