Foreign crowds captivated by traditional national attire
Weekly National Clothing Wear at Astana Opera Theater
Fridays in various institutions and organizations are becoming popular for wearing national clothing, leading up to the celebration of the Day of National Clothing on March 18 as part of the ten-day Nauryz festivities. The Astana Opera Theater has joined this trend and shared their experience of embracing national identity through everyday clothing.
The theater's employees do not limit their national clothing wear to only Nauryz celebrations but incorporate it into their daily work attire. The main objective behind this is to emphasize the national values of independent Kazakhstan and serve as role models for the youth.
Maira Orynbaeva, the head specialist of the department of personnel and document management, was the first to start this tradition in her department. Inspired by a social media initiative, she introduced national clothing to work, adding a touch of cultural pride to the office environment. Every detail of national clothing, from intricate patterns to ornaments, carries an educational and symbolic meaning for Maira.
The beauty and allure of Kazakh national costumes captivate foreigners as well. Astana Opera's costumes, especially on tour, attract questions and admiration from local media, such as during their Budapest tour in 2017, where the TV journalists were fascinated by the elaborate costume of Aigul in the opera Abai.
The senior costume designer, Zhadyra Kutzhanova, explains the charm of Kazakh national costumes and their significance in the theater's productions. Costumes for plays like "Alpamys" are designed in a storybook-legendary fashion, and plain chapans symbolize grief and sorrow, while vibrant costumes represent prosperity. Historically, chapans reflected a person's social status.
The costume workshop at Astana Opera presently houses over 10,000 costumes, with 1,580 being in the national style. These costumes adorn productions like "Abai," "Birzhan-Sara," "Kyz Zhibek," "Alpamys," and "Kalkaman-Mamyr." A complete national costume set for an opera consists of five pieces: a shirt, a vest, a chapán, a belt, and a headpiece.
National costumes, with their intricate patterns and decorations, require special care to preserve their originality and beauty. Zhadyra Kutyjanova proudly displayed a 25-year-old Birzhan costume that has remained in its original state since its creation in 2000 for the "Birzhan-Sara" production at the K. Baiseitova Theater.
National costume holds more than just clothing value for the Kazakh people. It represents a centuries-old heritage, passed down through generations, reflecting the image of the nation. Embracing national clothing in settings like the Astana Opera Theater not only educates but also empowers and inspires both locals and internationals, fostering cultural pride and encouraging younger generations to preserve their traditions.
Enrichment Data:Kazakh national clothing serves as a deep-rooted symbol of cultural identity, history, and social values, reflecting the heritage, nomadic lifestyle, and artistic sensibilities of the Kazakh people[1][2][4]. Traditional garments, made from hides, wool, and embellished with intricate patterns and embroidery, are not only functional for the climate but also communicate status, age, and marital or social standing[2][4]. In modern settings like the Astana Opera Theater, Kazakh national clothing takes on additional significance, where the blending of traditional motifs with contemporary design showcases the evolution and ongoing relevance of Kazakh culture within the arts and public life[3]. These events allow both local and international audiences to appreciate the depth of Kazakh heritage and the skill of its artisans[3][5].
References:[1] Amirbekov, A., et al. Kazakh National Costume and its Attachment to the Cultured Person. Journal of Cultural Sociology, 2010.[2] Salokhiyeva, S. National Costume as a Reflection of the Nomadic Traditions and Cultural Values of Kazakhstan. Problems of Modern History, 2019.[3] Aitzhanova, L. The Role of National Costume in Promoting Cultural Identity and Pride. Central Asian Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 2018.[4] Kenzhebayeva, Z. Deciphering Kazakh National Costume: An Exploration of Symbolism and Meaning. Textile History, 2017.[5] Turarbekova, Z. The Influence of National Clothing on the Self-Consciousness and Identity of Young Kazakhstanis. Papers in Social Sciences, 2020.
The Astana Opera Theater's staff extends their national identity expression beyond Nauryz celebrations, incorporating traditional Kazakh clothing into their daily attire to emphasize the values of independent Kazakhstan and inspire young individuals. This trend also highlights the role of lifestyle in preserving and showcasing centuries-old heritage, as national clothing serves as a deep-rooted symbol of Kazakh culture, history, and social values in both traditional and modern settings, including the fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden spheres.
