Kazakhstan, treasures of the great steppe: an experience to see at the Musée Guimet, our photos

The Musée Guimet in Paris invites us to delve into the history of Kazakhstan! The famous cultural institution dedicated to Asian arts welcomes new works from this rich Central Asian country. While the steppes of Kazakhstan and its mythical Silk Roads are the stuff of dreams for all great travelers, the country also arouses the curiosity of many historians and archaeologists.

The Musée Guimet is also presenting " Kazakhstan, treasures from the great steppe ". But don't expect to see a huge exhibition featuring dozens of exceptional pieces. As Yannick Lintz, President of the Musée National des Arts Asiatiques - Guimet, described it during a press visit on November 5, this event is more of a"visiting experience".

To be discovered on the 2nd floor of the Paris museum, not far from the"Ming Gold" exhibition, " Kazakhstan, treasures from the great steppe " unveils five treasures from Kazakhstan. It's an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the history and culture of this little-known country, and to explore five great moments in Kazakh history, from the third millennium BC to the 18th century.

To offer visitors a unique experience, the Paris museum has created a sensory and immersive setting designed by scenographer Sylvain Roca. The idea? To generate emotion while admiring these masterpieces. The 5 treasures on display, on exceptional loan from leading Kazakh museums, can be admired in an 80m² room.

Inside, two digital panoramic screens surround the works and face each other. Images are projected onto them, taking us back to the land where these treasures were born. These include images of horses galloping across the steppes and the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmad Yasawi, in the city of Yasi, now known as Turkestan. These works are also enlivened by sound creations, such as Jew's harp melodies.

Among the 5 masterpieces on display, visitors can discover the " Tobyl Thinker ". Also known as the " Man Scanning the Sky ", this small anthropomorphic figure, discovered in the region around the town of Qostanai, reflects the spiritual culture and philosophical vision of the ancient nomads of the Kazakhstan steppe.

Another treasure on display at the Musée Guimet is the " Golden Man " . Discovered in 1969 in Issyk, this work brings together sublime gold ornaments, attesting to Kazakhstan's mastery of epic goldsmithing techniques. The ornamentation of the " Golden Man " headdress is of rare beauty.

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Balbal, megalithic funerary stelae in the form of anthropomorphic sculptures, can also be admired at the Musée Guimet on this occasion. Two steles are on display: a male figure in yellowish-grey sandstone representing a moustachioed man. Dressed in a kaftan with wide lapels, he holds a cup between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand, described as the symbol of a memorial or sacrificial ritual. Next to him stands a second monolithic sculpture, this time of a female figure.

Two sublime candlesticks from the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmet Yasawi, a 12th-century Sufi poet and mystic, are also worth a visit. The first, in bronze and weighing 41kg, is decorated with floral motifs, engraved inscriptions and silver and gold inlays. The second, also in bronze, weighs 31.5kg.

Finally, the installation " Kazakhstan, treasures of the great steppe " unveils the Chapan of Kazybek biy Keldibekuly (1667-1763), considered one of the oldest types of Kazakh outerwear. The Chapan of this diplomat of the Kazakh Khanate is made of brocade, a silk fabric whose pattern is woven with metallic threads of gold, silver or alloys of these metals.

Here are 5 treasures from Kazakhstan to be seen exceptionally in Paris from November 6, 2024 to March 24, 2025. An experience to be avoided if you like big exhibitions and discovering lots of pieces. On the other hand, we recommend it to lovers of Kazakhstan and archaeology, or to those who would like to learn more about this country at the crossroads of European and Asian cultures.