Screening of Cartoons in collaboration with Kazakhfilm

Can we understand what our ancestors dreamt of and aspired to through animated films? Myth is a living and ever-changing phenomenon. Its images and narratives take on new forms over time, are reinterpreted and continue to exist within culture. But how do the sacred meanings, hidden in the deepest layers of the national consciousness, manifest themselves on screen? What lies behind the most common mythological narratives? And what was their original meaning? We invite you to discuss how national mythology is reflected in Kazakh animation and how mythological images are interpreted in the works of Serikbol Kondybay, Zira Nauryzbay and Yedige Tursynov, together with film scholar Asia Bagdauletkyzy.

Films:

Why Does a Swallow Have a Forked Tail? (1967) – 10 mins., dir. Amen Kaidarov

The White Goose (2010) – 10 mins., dir. Turdybek Maidan

The Golden Knucklebone (2012) – 11 mins., dir. Kayyrgali Kasymov

Suyn (2022) – 8 mins., dir. Abdolla Shahaydarov

The Will (2022) – 7 mins., dir. Yerbol Boranshi, Talas Orazbay

The Mermaid (2025) – 6 mins., dir. Renata Mirgalieva, Linara Mirgalieva

Why Does a Swallow Have a Forked Tail? (1967), dir. Amen Kaidarov

This film marked the beginning of Kazakh animation. Based on a Kazakh folk legend, it explores the mythological conflict between good and evil. Here, the swallow appears as a sacred figure protecting humanity; the infant symbolises the continuation of life, whilst the mother and the maternal principle become the primary force saving the world. The figure of the dragon, personifying the forces of evil, also deserves special attention, as does its significance in the ancient Kazakh worldview.

The White Goose (2010), dir. Turdybek Maidan

In this film, the motifs of the feminine principle and the search for a bride - which date back to ancient Kazakh mythology - are explored through the imagery of the goose, the snake, water, the dragon and the saukele. The feminine principle is embodied by the White Goose, which successively takes the form of a bird, a maiden and a snake, acting as a mysterious force that unites water and sky. The dragon embodies the hostile principle, whilst the hunter, the sun, the sword and fire are presented as symbols of the masculine principle. Particular attention should be paid to the symbolic connections between these images, as described by Serikbol Kondybay, as well as to the way in which the film combines ancient mythological concepts with a later heroic-patriarchal narrative.

The Golden Knucklebone (2012), dir. Kayyrgali Kasymov

The film, based on the fairy tale ‘The Golden Apple’, draws on archaic mythological motifs. The protagonist’s encounter with Zhalmauyz-kempir and his rescue are linked to themes of confrontation with otherworldly forces, crossing the boundary between life and death, coming of age and spiritual development. Elements of the film such as Zhalmauyz-kempir floating on the water in the form of lungs, horses and their symbolic function, relate to ancient Kazakh beliefs about entities that connect the world of the living and the world of the dead, existence and non-existence.

Suyn (2022), dir. Abdolla Shahaydarov

This film explores the ancient Kazakh cosmological system, which unites plants and animals, the sky and the sea, humankind and nature into a single whole. The Suuny are mythical sea horses that bring people prosperity and abundance. The journey of the batyr Yeltai, who seeks to return them to the shores of the Caspian Sea with the help of maternal forces, reveals numerous layers of ancient Kazakh mythology.

The Will (2022), dir. Yerbol Boranshi, Talas Orazbay

This film, with its open ending, seamlessly blends a mythological worldview with patriotic message. The motif of the batyr saving a fledgling from a snake and engaging in battle with the ruler of the underworld brings together several ancient mythological and folkloric narratives.

The Mermaid (2025), dir. Renata Mirgalieva, Linara Mirgalieva

In this film, the image of the mermaid reinterprets an ancient mythological framework through the lens of environmental issues. Water is portrayed as a living, sacred and free element, and the mermaid as its guardian. This short film can be seen as an example of eco-animation, combining mythology, environmental awareness and reflections on humanity’s responsibility towards nature.

Free access with museum entrance ticket.