Tolegen Bakhargul. Beautiful jewellery has been presented to capital residents on the eve of first spring holiday. // Astana Akshamy. 07.03.2010 №26 (2347)

The ceremony of opening of ethno – relic’s exhibition named “Zhuregimde Otanym” (Motherland in my heart) was held in the State Museum of gold and precious metals. It was the first exhibition of Bakhargul Tolegenkyzy in Astana. Many years she has been doing research in handicrafts, collection of ethno-relics workpieces.  The Ministry of Culture and Information of RK and National Committee of family affairs and gender politic helped to run this event. Worldwide Kazakh Association and Department of Language Development of Astana city have supported the organization of this event.

Historically known how many people were forced to leave the motherland in difficult years of twenty century. After gaining independence, nationals living abroad started coming back. At the beginning of 90-ties among repatriates, coming from China to Kazkhstan, Bakhargul Tolegenkyzy was the first one. A young girl, born in Shaushek and graduated from Beijing state university, concentrated her attention on research in handicrafts.  By the time of her return from the Celestial Empire to Kazakhstan her collection had many ancient kazakh workpieces. During her living in Beijing, her collection contained several masterpieces from other countries. She tried to buy things made of gold, silver and other precious metals from Emperor Palace, if she had an opportunity and started collecting them. There were many people interested in buying relics from other countries from collection of the girl from China. Soon Bakhargul got used to collect Kazakh ethnic relics, so the story of fifteen years work has begun.

Innovation from “Ademi-Ai”

Time passed and collecting of relics turned to be a profession. In 2000 JSC “Ademi – Ai Plus” company has been organized in Almaty to introduce the collected values to society. Then, the opening of House of Arts “Ademi” followed right after. That time Kazakh language was enriched with a new word – souvenir. They not only collected ancient relics but started manufacturing souvenirs, which reflected rich culture and ancient history of Kazakhs. They became the first  ones who got the patent to produce series of national souvenirs. And people tired of ordinary Chinese fen-shui and Russian “matreshkas” were glad to see such innovation. Nowadays, it is a tradition to present to honourable guests of our country souvenirs from house of Arts “Ademi-Ai” such as “Suyenshi”, “Zhety Asyk”, “Baiterek”, “Zhauryn”, “Tauteke”, “Asatayak” an etc. They are diversified in different thematic directions. Even a newly opened monument in Astana “Kazakh Ely” (Kazakh nation) occupied its place in master’s collection as a symbol.

Moreover, the magazine “Ademi-Ai” has been published to promote Kazakh culture and ethnics. “I wanted to register the magazine as “Ademi”, but the magazine with the same name already existed. When I was in doubt about what to do, my spiritual adviser Akseleu Seidimbek - aga suggested to have more beautiful name and surprise everyone naming it “Ademi-ai”. Since 2007 ethnographic cultural – informational magazine “Ademi - Ai” is published on regular basis,”- said Bakhargul.

Relics close to heart.

Enormous amount of ethnic relics have been collected and carefully kept by Bakhargul Tolegenkysy for 15 years. There are many woman jewellery together with home appliances such as spindle, mill, samovar, mortar and pestle, saddle, wineskin, cauldron, raw – leather rope.  
Decorated ribbons, pendants, lintel, rings, earrings, amulets, bracelets, breast jewelleryfor women reveal the thousand year history.

“In my collection I like the “ring for matchmaker” in particular. Of course, all of them (more than thousand cultural-historical relics) are important for me. However, this ring takes the special place. Thanks to Imangali – aga I collected so many things. I followed the way of Imangali Tasmaganbetov collecting workpieces of ethnic relics. I am not acquainted with him and we don’t have any relative connections. I just know that he is the number one – collector in our country. Once I made a decision to be a collector like Imangali –aga, I started gathering information about Kazakh jewellery, handycrafts, ornaments and patterns and went deep into essence of the matter. Later, I decided to collect relics and manufacture souvenirs”, - she said in her speech.

Wirter Akseleu Seidimbek:

“Bakhargul work can be an example for modern kazakh girls. She serves the nation adjusting to market conditions. I think that driving force of her business is the ability to choose the precise way in promotion of national symbols. I believe that this work will be supportive for state national ideology. From this point of view this business worth support, protection and even care expression. After I saw the collection of Imangali Tasmaganbetov, the question of what kind of collection Bakhargul would have popped up in the mind. Looking at these relics of several centuries one can see how sincerely she followed the way of Imangali – aga and her respect to Kazakh culture and history,” - he said.

The first man registered in the Republic and received collector’s certificate after country’s gaining independence is Imangali Tasmaganbetov. The second one is Azamat Akimbek. And Bakhargul made it clear that she thinks to join collectors of Kazakhstan.

From exhibition to exhibition

Focusing on studying of Kazakh art and making it known worldwide, Bakhargul Tolegenkyzy has done a lot after organizing the JSC ”Ademi-Ai”. The first one is the exhibition of “Applied art of Kazakhs worldwide and modern masters Elim-ai” dedicated to 15 anniversary of Worldwide Kazakh Association. She participated in international exhibition of jewellery “Taraz - 2000”, “Nauryz”, “Aru – 2007 Astana”, “Aru – 2008 Almaty”, third international exhibition “Magnificent world” and in exhibition of clocks and watches. Besides she participated in exhibitions in Sweden, Germany and introduced there Kazakh culture. Having this opportunity to have this talk, vice chairman of Worldwide Kazakh Association Talgat Mamashev said:

“If we are able to keep, hold sacred and hand over to young generation our culture, this will home appliances mean our love to the country, I think. I am deeply thankful to Bakhargul Tolegenkyzy who serves hard in this way, “-he said.

Exhibition, which takes place in the capital for the first time, will long till the end of the month. Also, the management of House of Art plans to travel around regions of the country and have the exhibition of ethnic relics and workpieces in near future.

“My husband – my advisor”

Of course, for a girl, whose life goal is to declare national culture and its peculiarities  to the whole world is very difficult to do it along. The help of Bakhargul’s husband, who is by her side in art and in life, is enormous.

“The organization of such exhibition and people acknowledgement would be impossible without my husband, Murat.  He supported my research of ethnography, helped me to find so many relics. He even quit working in tourist agency to help me to achieve my goals.

“What can be better when your beloved one understands you, advises, and appreciates your work and support in everything. Thanks to Murat I understood what the courage and vigour are. These qualities are relevant to Kazakhs. I can say tat my husband is my advisor and producer. Wellness and family unity depends on him. I am thankful for his support at every step, he helps in everything and makes me happy,”- Bakhargul said.

Bakhargul and Murat raise a daughter Ademi. The dream of little Ademi is to introduce kazakh folklore songs, to be a singer.  She started to participate in competition “Anshi bolgym keledy” (Want to sing) at 4. Now, the little singer studies at school for talented children named after K Baiseitova, fortepiano class.

Perhaps, there are a few women who are not interested in jewellery. It is not a secret that at March 8th the interest grows. Bakhargul who has been collecting jewellery for many years answered the question about what kind of gift she expects:

“Personally, the most precious present is my family prosperity.” There is no more valuable present than kindness and good mood of my husband. Woman happiness is measured by happiness and respect in the family, not by work or career. I can say for sure that I am happy a person.

Text prepared by Ainur Sarsenbaykyzy

Tolegen Bakhargul. Beautiful jewellery has been presented to capital residents on the eve of first spring holiday. // Astana Akshamy. 07.03.2010 №26 (2347)