The Journey of Altynay Jalmagambetova: From Craft to a World Record

Hello, I’m Altynay. Since 2021, I have been working in an Industrial assembly and repair workshop, in the service department. Today, I would like to share with you the story of my journey that led me to the Global World Book of Records and my deep passion for traditional Kazakh crafts. My passion is sewing traditional patchwork quilts (kurak korpe) and national-style handmade items.

Everything began with a small but courageous step. In 2017, I sewed a graduation dress for my daughter. Then, I prepared her entire dowry with my own hands. Since that day, handicrafts have become not just a hobby but an inseparable part of my life.

My contributions to traditional art were officially recognized, and my name was added to the Global World Book of Records. An important milestone in this journey came on June 4, 2023, the Day of State Symbols of Kazakhstan, when I became the initiator of a large-scale movement that united patchwork masters from all over the country. In 2024, I took part in the Alaman Quraq project, organized within the framework of the 5th World Nomad Games. This project aimed to promote Kazakh decorative arts, national traditions, and cultural identity to the world.

And the pinnacle… On July 6, 2025, the famous Medeu ice rink in Almaty hosted an unprecedented cultural event: Alaman Quraq 2025. It was not just a display of art but a powerful expression of our national culture. The project’s creator, Nurgül Abaykhan, was recognized for her three years of dedicated work, and the project itself was entered into the Global World Book of Records. For me, it was a great honor to play an active role in this historic event. I brought together 44 craftswomen from the Karaganda region — organizing, motivating, and uniting them around a common purpose. Among them were little girls as young as six, elderly grandmothers aged seventy-two, students, professionals, village women, and retirees. For them, this art was not merely a hobby but a way of life.

Each quilt carried its own unique story: the blessings of ancestors, the beauty of nature, and the regional ornaments that reflect our heritage. A total of 660 quilts were laid out on the Medeu ice rink. Each measured 230×90 cm (2.07 m²), and together they formed an area of 1,366.8 m² — larger than a football field. The ice rink turned into a vast work of art woven with the colors of Kazakh culture.

The quilts were arranged meticulously like a mosaic, following a pre-defined layout. The event began at 8:00 a.m.; representatives from all regions arrived on time and placed their works in designated spots. The Karaganda team was positioned in the southeastern section, closest to the stage — their creations became one of the visual highlights of the event. They also presented a special collection of national clothing in colors symbolizing the spirit of the Saryarka steppes. The most special part of this project for me was working together with my daughter, Muhammedjan Ayagoz. Together, we showed the world that this traditional craft is a living heritage — passed from mother to daughter.

When the record was officially registered, we all felt immense pride. One of the artisans said:

“My quilt is now part of a world record. It was incredible to take part in such a large-scale project. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to promote our national art. This moment will remain etched in both my memory and history.”

The Karaganda team was not just a participant but a symbol of unity, inspiration, and discipline. All of the craftswomen were awarded certificates and letters of appreciation for their contributions.

*Alaman Quraq is not merely an art event; it is a symbol of unity, culture, spirit, and our true national identity. It continues to live on as a vibrant legacy — connecting generations and sharing the timeless soul of the Kazakh people with the world. The presentation of the medal and the book itself will take place on January 27, 2026.

Dzhalmagambetova Altynay was born in the Karkaralinsky district of the Karaganda region. She started her career in the Human Resources department, where she worked for more than 13 years, proving herself to be a responsible and dedicated specialist. Since 2021, she has been working at Borusan Cat Kazakhstan, in the СRS and repair in the service department. Family is the main meaning of Altynay's life. After the death of her husband, she became a single mother, but despite the difficulties of life, she retained faith, fortitude and dedication to her children and grandchildren. Her hobby is a traditional Kazakh craft: sewing quilts (kurak korpe) and products in the national style.