PROMOTION OF HISTORICAL TOPONYMS AND LEGENDS OF EAST KAZAKHSTAN IN TOURISM

Within the framework of the targeted program topic approved by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan — “Regional Integration of Literary and Linguistic Tourism in East Kazakhstan: Digitalization of the Etymology of Toponyms and Local Legends” — an international scientific webinar was held on the theme “Promotion of Historical Toponyms and Legends of East Kazakhstan in Tourism.”

The goal of the webinar was to identify the educational, cultural, and tourism potential of the region’s historical and cultural heritage, including geographical names and legendary sources, as well as to discuss ways to effectively use them in the modern tourism industry.

Participants included Demet Bilgin, a researcher from the Faculty of Literature and the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Hacı Bayram University in Ankara (Turkey); Alisher Khalmetov, a doctoral student at M. Narikbayev University currently undertaking a research internship at Hacı Bayram University; and Dana Akhmadiyeva, a doctoral student at L. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

The speakers participated online and discussed issues related to cultural tourism in Turkic countries. Associate Professor of the Department of Kazakh and Russian Philology and Journalism at Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, Candidate of Philology Aigul Alimkhan, delivered a presentation titled “Historical and Cultural Foundations of East Kazakhstan’s Toponyms and Methods of Their Promotion in Tourist Routes.” Senior lecturer of the same department, Zhazira Kaiyrbayeva, presented her report “The Potential of Spiritual Heritage and Literary Local History in the Tourism of East Kazakhstan.”

This international webinar demonstrated the importance of scientifically understanding national values and promoting them in the global cultural space, highlighting the need to preserve Kazakhstan’s spiritual brand and regional identity. It became a significant scientific and practical event, outlining new directions for studying and popularizing the historical and spiritual heritage of East Kazakhstan, expanding the intellectual horizons of young people, and contributing to the strengthening of national identity and spiritual unity.