«Language – the Source of Virtue: Diwan Lughāt al-Turk»

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From February 7 to February 23, 2025, the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan will host the exhibition «Language the Source of Virtue: Diwan Lughāt al-Turk» dedicated to the 950th anniversary of the publication of the encyclopedic dictionary «Diwan Lughāt al-Turk.»

«Diwan Lughāt al-Turk» is a unique 11th-century work created by the outstanding scholar and thinker Mahmud al-Kashgari. It is the first encyclopedic dictionary of Turkic languages, containing about 9,000 words with Arabic equivalents, as well as rich material on the culture, everyday life, language, and literature of the Turkic peoples. This work is valuable not only from a lexicographical standpoint but also from a cultural perspective: the book includes the first known map of the Turkic world, showing the geographical location of Turkic tribes, their cultural and linguistic connections.

The exhibition will feature a portrait of Mahmud al-Kashgari, reflecting his life and work, the most accurate copy of the «Diwan Lughāt al-Turk» original versions in Turkic and Kyrgyz languages, selected words and proverbs, as well as clothing of men and women from the 11th century, showcasing the everyday life and culture of the Turkic society of that time. Additionally, information about the Karluk period will be presented, including a map created by Mahmud al-Kashgari, compared with a modern map.

The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Foundation of Turkish Culture and Heritage and the Foundation of the Turkic World.