Traditions of Charity in Education in Kazakhstan (19th century – early 20th century)

Abstract

Over the past thirty years, Kazakhstan has seen significant changes in the political, economic, and socio–cultural spheres, which have affected the lives of its citizens and their everyday reality. However, the values and social attitudes of modern society often do not meet the requirements of objective reality, which gives rise to the need to search for new guidelines. In this context, the formation of patriotism and the revival of moral ideals become important. An appeal to the rich historical heritage allows us to identify the fundamental values that ensured the survival and development of civilization in the past. In this regard, the authors set themselves the goal of examining the traditions of charity, including value orientations, motives for action, forms of self–organization, and aspects of spiritual culture. The traditions of charity operate in the discursive space of history; the authors consider its ideological foundations, socio–cultural dynamics, and practical manifestations. These traditions not only represent an important aspect of the historical process, but also reflect profound changes in society, contributing to the formation of the social and cultural context in which they exist. The study shows that despite the centuries–old history of charity, it remains an understudied socio–cultural phenomenon in the history of Kazakhstan. The authors pay special attention to charitable traditions in the field of education. Charitable activities during this period were actively supported by the state, the entire Kazakh population, private entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and the intellectual elite.