The Ykhlas Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

The Ykhlas Museum of Folk Musical Instruments was founded in 1981 and today houses a remarkable collection of folk instruments from Kazakhstan as well as from various cultures around the world.

The museum features nine exhibition halls, where visitors can discover unique instruments such as the zhelbuaz, adyrna, and sherter, along with many types of more familiar ones like the dombra, kobyz, and sybyzgy. Here, you can not only listen to traditional Kazakh melodies but also see authentic musical instruments up close and even try your hand at conducting a virtual orchestra.

The museum’s collection extends beyond Kazakh folk instruments. It includes musical artifacts from neighboring cultures such as the Kyrgyz, Mongolians, and Uzbeks. While the permanent exhibition displays only 297 pieces from its total collection of 2,000, visitors can explore over 40 different types and variations of instruments, including dombras, kobyzs, dangyrs, and sildyrmaks.

The building that houses the museum is also of great historical significance. Completed in 1908, it is one of the few remaining structures from the city of Verny. Its architectural style reflects the classic traditions of ancient Russian craftsmanship. Over the years, the building has served various purposes, from hosting the Officers’ Assembly of Verny to functioning as a party club and the “Red Star” cinema. It wasn’t until 1980 that it became home to the National Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments.

Modern technology also plays a role in the museum’s experience. Visitors can interact with holographic guides, use multimedia tables to access information, and explore a sound library featuring music from different times and cultures. Additionally, the museum offers an interactive room where you can become a virtual conductor, creating your own orchestra by managing digital instruments.

Address
Zenkov Street, 24a

Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM