TEHRAN – To celebrate the shared cultural heritage of Golestan province and the Republic of Kazakhstan, a special cultural night is set to take place in the historical city of Gorgan, which is Golestan’s capital.

Scheduled for September 29, the event coincides with Iran’s National Tourism Week and aims to strengthen cultural ties between the two regions, both of which boast rich historical and ethnic diversity.

On Monday, Golestan’s tourism chief Mohammad-Javad Saravi, announced the event, highlighting the province’s unique status as a “treasure trove of Iran’s ethnic diversity.”

He noted that Golestan is home to a wide array of cultural traditions, evident in the province’s traditional handicrafts, attire, languages, and local cuisine.

Celebrating Kazakh culture in Golestan

Golestan province is notable for its population of approximately 10,000 nomadic Kazakhs, a Turkic ethnic group originally native to Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The Kazakh community has maintained its distinctive cultural practices and traditions within the region for decades, and this event will shine a spotlight on their contributions to the cultural fabric of Golestan.

“One of the standout ethnic groups residing in Golestan is the Kazakh community,” Saravi said.

“Their lifestyle, from their traditional clothing and handicrafts to their customs and rituals, is a vital part of the cultural landscape here.”

The idea for the event emerged from a recent meeting between Saravi and the consul general of Kazakhstan in Gorgan.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Saravi proposed hosting the Golestan and Kazakhstan cultural night to further foster mutual understanding and cooperation, given the deep religious, cultural, and political ties.

Gorgan, formerly known as Astarabad, is located on a small tributary of the Qareh River, 37 km from the Caspian Sea.

AM