On September 8, historians from Altai Krai, the Altai Republic, and Kyrgyzstan embarked on the International Ethnographic Expedition "The Greater Altai: Turkic Heritage – 2025." Prior to departure, Rector of Altai State University, Sergei Bocharov, met with the expedition participants.
Altai State University was represented at the meeting by Roman Raikin, Vice-Rector for International Activities; Yulia Lysenko, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Head of The Greater Altai Research and Educational Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies and Head of the Department of Oriental Studies; and Ivan Nazarov, Director of the Institute of History and International Affairs and Head of the expedition. Participants from Kyrgyzstan included Abylabek Asankanov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Director of the Dzhamgerchinov Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnology; Amantur Zhaparov, researcher at the same institute; Venera Anarbekova, an associate professor at the Central Asian Medical University (Jalal-Abad); Aisha Abdieva, a senior lecturer at the Sulukta Humanitarian-Economic Institute of Batken State University; and Chynykan Satybaldieva, an associate professor at Osh State University.
Ivan Nazarov introduced the participants and emphasized the important role each will play in the upcoming expedition. He also highlighted that representatives from Gorno-Altai State University and the S.S. Surazakov Research Institute of Altaic Studies will join the journey. In Gorno-Altaisk, the scientists plan not only to continue their route through the Altai Republic but also to inaugurate a unique photo exhibition titled "Cattle Breeders of Kyrgyzstan in the 21st Century."
Rector Sergey Bocharov remarked,
"Every year, your expedition gains new significance and welcomes specialists from diverse fields. These multidisciplinary studies complement each other perfectly. Yulia Lysenko, at The Greater Altai, is leading the project to write a five-volume chronicle of Turkic civilization, covering everything from ancient history to modern times. I understand that your research will form the foundation of these future books. This is a monumental task – thank you very much!"
Academician Abylbek Asakanov stated that the results of the expedition will undoubtedly be presented in monographs:
"We plan to publish comprehensive illustrated monographs. Our materials – reports and articles – are already being utilized by young scientists, who are publishing books and defending dissertations based on them. However, a monograph represents a new level, and leading Kyrgyz scientists, who closely follow our expeditions and their findings, expect this from us. It will be a significant contribution to the study of the Kyrgyz presence in Altai."
Yulia Lysenko expressed gratitude to her colleagues, noting that the geopolitical turbulence in the world has not impacted the scientists' work, emphasizing that science should remain independent of politics:
"I hope our project continues to develop; we have many plans and often discuss this field’s prospects. It is encouraging that new partners are joining us and taking advantage of the opportunities to visit Altai – it is wonderful. We need to expand the museum’s ethnographic collection and conduct a joint expedition in Kazakhstan. Our partners share our vision, and we feel we are progressing, beginning to compete with leading schools in Moscow and St. Petersburg. I wish your expedition great success so that those visiting Altai for the first time will appreciate how beautiful and unique it is!"
Roman Raikin added that immediately after the Altaic Forum in October, the Kyrgyz-Russian Educational Forum will take place in Bishkek, where Ivan Nazarov will present the work of The Greater Altai and discuss the results of the recent expeditions, including the current one. A photo exhibition is also planned.
"Sergey Nikolaevich has already highlighted that the expedition integrates historical-archaeological, geographical, and ethnographic research. This year, we have an additional task – to conduct research in the Chui steppe, where a large astrophysical laboratory is planned. We will need to install devices to detect the presence of fresh water and monitor its quality, as well as measure soil temperature at depths of up to three meters – crucial data for the observatory. These indicators are also important for assessing pasture conditions, which demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of the research."
According to Ivan Nazarov, during the week, the participants of "The Greater Altai: Turkic Heritage – 2025" expedition plan to visit several settlements in the Chemalsky and Ust-Kansky districts of the Altai Republic, focusing on villages where traditional cultures of various Altai peoples have been preserved.
The expedition results will be presented at the IV International Altaic Forum, held at Altai State University from September 14 to 17.