MP Seeks to Protect National Heritage

The Majilis Committee on Social and Cultural Development discussed a bill aimed at the legal protection of intangible cultural heritage, Orda.kz reports. 

Deputy Yerbolat Satybaldin emphasized the need to clearly define the mechanisms for preserving traditions and customs and regulating issues related to their promotion.

We must know and preserve intangible cultural heritage, determine where and how it is used. The authorized body is obliged to deal with this systematically. If several ministries are involved, their responsibilities must be clearly defined. We must also determine the place of traditions in society and the status of those who are engaged in their popularization,
 Satybaldin said.

The deputy also drew attention to cases where traditions and national cultural elements are used in an inappropriate context.

I saw girls dancing in national dress in a yurt, naked, and it looked innapropriate. We need to determine what measures we can take in such situations, including making changes to the Criminal Code. These issues need to be considered within the framework of the bill, he added.

A video of dancing in a yurt, filmed in the Karasay district of the Almaty region, caused a stir. Subsequently, a pre-trial investigation under Article 174 of the Criminal Code on inciting ethnic discord was launched.

Deputy Samat Musabayev was upset that one of the participants in the video was a young man in women's clothing with Kazakh national elements.

The Prosecutor General's Office clarified that an expert examination had already been ordered, and investigative actions were ongoing.

At the same time, the National Security Committee (KNB) found it difficult to assess the video in terms of the elements of a crime, stating that it was impossible to establish intentional actions to incite discord reliably.

The video featured Choreographer Alisher Sultanbekov, who is known for his performances in women's clothing and heels. After the controversy, he disappeared from social networks but later returned to Instagram, stating that he was going through a difficult time.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov