Central Asia's Journey Through the Perspectives of Western Explorers Unveiled at MNU Exhibit
HITTING THE TRAILS OF CENTRAL ASIA: THE EYES OF ARMIN VAMBÉRY
Kicking off a series dedicated to the lens of Western explorers, the first exhibition, 'Perception of Central Asia Through the Eyes of Travelers,' unfolded at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) on April 29. The exhibit showcases the works of the famed Hungarian orientalist, Armin Vambéry.
This soiree was jointly orchestrated by MNU and the Hungarian Embassy in Kazakhstan, with the aim to shed light on Central Asia's historical past, interpreted through the prism of Western ethnographers, travelers, orientalists, and linguists.
Welcome remarks were offered by Hungarian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Otto Ivan Rona. In his address, he highlighted Armin Vambéry's role as one of the builders of global Turkology, and praised how his research fostered a spiritual bond between Hungary and the peoples of Central Asia.
Vambéry's Central Asian escapade was detailed in his journals, accompanied by captivating illustrations. These included depictions of notable landmarks, such as the Khoja Ahmed Yassawi mausoleum in Turkistan.
The mélange included a limited edition print of his book "Journey through Central Asia," published in 1868, as well as a collage of historical images reflecting the region's life.
Yerkin Tukumov, the head of Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, emphasized the crucial role Western travelers and scholars, from Marco Polo to Thomas Atkinson and Armin Vambéry, played in exposing the region to the world and facilitating dialogue between East and West.
Tukumov commended the bravery displayed by Vambéry, who, in disguise as a humble dervish, journeyed through the heart of Central Asia at great personal risk to understand, not exploit or dictate, but to connect. His mission was not just a scholarly exploration; it was a search for identity, belonging, and a moral bond between people.
Tukumov remarked, "His work had no trace of conquest or subjugation. Instead, he traced the very heartbeats of our ancestors - their languages, their stories, and their dreams."
Olzhas Berkinbayev, the director of the Public Relations Department and press secretary of the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education, paid tribute to Vambéry's service to the Central Asian region. Referencing the work of historian Babakumar Hinayat, Berkinbayev highlighted that Vambéry, without higher education, paved his own path to knowledge and set the stage for the world's first Turkology department.
Vambéry's passion to uncover the Turkic roots of the Hungarian people first led him to Istanbul at the tender age of 20. His remarkable linguistic skills won him a position as secretary to the Ottoman foreign minister. Subsequently, at only 29, he became a corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. His subsequent expedition to Middle East and Central Asia, sponsored by the Academy, was a monumental challenge for its time. Disguised as a dervish, his extensive knowledge of Eastern languages and culture enabled him to traverse Turkey, Iran, the Khanate of Khiva, and the Emirate of Bukhara.
In his works, bridges appear as vital links of trade, travel, and cultural exchange, symbolizing the thriving daily life of the region. The result of this expedition was the book "Bukhara, or History of Maverannahr from Antiquity to the Present Day." This work, translated into Russian and widely circulated, provided the first significant Western account of Central Asian political structures, cultural practices, and histories.
Berkinbayev added, "In analyzing the material, Vambéry relied on the works of the great historians of the Middle Ages. His deep research into these texts set the foundation for a more objective understanding of Central Asian history."
Armin Vambéry's perspective remains a precious link that threads together our shared human history, reminding us that true discovery lies in empathy, genuineness and mutual respect. His legacy continues to shine, influencing global academia, fostering dialogue and enriching our sense of connection across cultures.
- At the exhibit, 'Perception of Central Asia Through the Eyes of Travelers,' the work of Armin Vambéry was showcased, highlighting his contributions to the field of Turkology, particularly in his study of Central Asian lifestyles.
- During his Central Asian travels, Armin Vambéry, in disguise as a dervish, not only explored and documented the region's historical past but also delved into its lifestyle, culture, and languages, as seen in his book 'Journey through Central Asia,' published in the 20th century.
- The Kazakh Institute for Strategic Studies' head, Yerkin Tukumov, commended Armin Vambéry's bravery and commitment, stating that his research in Khiva and other regions not only advanced our understanding of Central Asian history but also fostered a spiritual bond between the region and Hungary, symbolized by the bridges depicted in his works, emblematic of trade, travel, and cultural exchange.
