NATION IN FLOW OF HISTORY: Historians should rely on the principle of objectiveness, use at least several sources of information on each historical event and strive to elicit the truth
"We need nationwide historical consciousness. Our perception of history should be integral and positive; it should unite the society instead of dividing it, it should lift the national spirit to new heights. We should have crystal clear understanding of our real history, culture and religion. National history of Kazakhstan and the ethnogenesis of the Kazakhs should be viewed as a single seamless process in the flow of centuries," President Nazarbayev said at the XX jubilee session of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan in April 2013.
Head of History of Kazakhstan and Humanities Department of the Kazakh National University of Arts, candidate of Historical Sciences Ms. Ainur Kassabekova has shared her thoughts on further study of Kazakshtan's history with Kazinform correspondent.
- Kazakhstan is conducting a tremendous work on the study of its national history on the instruction of the Head of State. What periods of our history, in your opinion, deserve in-depth study or even rethinking?
- In my opinion, the conflicts with the Soviet authorities in the years after the February and October revolutions and the years of Civil War are poorly explored. In addition, more than 320 rebellions that took place in Kazakhstan during the collectivization period are still little studied.
- What periods and aspects of the national history are you mostly interested in?
- I spent a lot of time studying the issues of gender equality in 1920s-30s and the role of women in the public and economic life of the country. I even published a monograph dedicated to this topic.
Currently, as the head of History of Kazakhstan and Humanities Department at the Kazakh National University of Arts, I am particularly interested in the culture of Kazakhstan in the ancient and modern periods. Our professors deliver classes in social and humanitarian disciplines and teach foreign languages; they also train Bachelor's and Master's degree students majoring in Cultural Studies.
- Nowadays, Kazakhstan is experiencing certain influence from the Islamic world, the society, in general, is becoming more religious. Contradictions in the rendering of Qur'an emerge. Can study of the national history help settle the differences, for instance, related to the role of women in the life of our society?
- The study of Kazakhstan's history definitely can help erode differences on the place and role of women in the society. It is worth mentioning, that in the Kazakh society women have always had a special place. For example, the Saka queens Tumar, Tomiris and Zarina not only ruled the country, but also lead the army to protect their lands from enemies. Hijab has never been a part of our culture. Our women have always been free to express their thoughts and participate in the public life.
The opportunity to explore the national history of Kazakhstan in an unbiased manner became possible only after Kazakhstan attained independence.
Today, our historians should rely on the principle of objectiveness, use at least several sources of information on each historical event and strive to elicit the truth. In addition, the authors of textbooks in history of Kazakhstan should be provided favorable conditions to do their job. Our professors, for example, do not have enough time to do research due to heavy load at the university.
- Thank you.