Kazakhstan's Lost Orteke Art Revived by a Pavlodar Entrepreneur
A forgotten Kazakh art form is making a comeback in Pavlodar. Gulnaz Kadyr, a local entrepreneur, has launched the region's first workshop dedicated to Orteke—a traditional musical-puppet performance. The project began during this year's Nauryz celebrations and aims to revive an ancient cultural practice recognised by UNESCO in 2022.
Orteke combines folk music, dance, theatre, and decorative crafts into a single performance. At its heart is a wooden figurine of a mountain goat, designed to sway in time with live dombra music. Once a cherished Kazakh tradition, the art form had nearly disappeared until Kadyr's initiative brought it back to life.
Kadyr, a graduate of S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University, previously worked with the celebrated aitys performer Aitakyn Bulgakov. Her company, Qazoner Group, now employs 14 people in a 100-square-metre workshop. Beyond Orteke, the team produces ethnic décor such as key holders, clocks, wall panels, and shezhire—traditional genealogical charts. The revival project secured funding through a grant from the She's Next initiative. Plans include creating video tutorials on playing the dombra and crafting Orteke puppets, with potential translations into multiple languages. So far, no other regions in Kazakhstan have launched similar efforts to restore traditional handicrafts like this one.
The workshop marks the first dedicated Orteke production site in Pavlodar Region. With UNESCO recognition and growing interest, the project could help preserve a unique part of Kazakh heritage. Kadyr's team will continue expanding access to the art form through tutorials and handmade crafts.
