August 1, 2025 – In a significant prelude to the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana has become the esteemed venue for two major international spiritual and cultural exhibitions: “The Shroud of Turin” and “Sacred Books.” These profound exhibitions opened on August 1 and will be available to the public through September 25, 2025.
The official opening ceremony, held on August 1 at 3:00 PM, was graced by distinguished representatives of government bodies, respected religious associations, prominent figures from the fields of culture and science, as well as residents and esteemed guests of the capital.
The primary objective of these exhibitions is to promote deeper interreligious understanding and mutual respect within society. This is achieved by presenting the profound historical and spiritual legacies of diverse religious traditions, thereby expanding the spiritual and intellectual horizons of all visitors.
The “Shroud of Turin” exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of one of Christianity’s most sacred relics — the Turin Shroud, which, according to sacred tradition, once enveloped the body of Prophet Jesus. Previously displayed in many countries, this marks its first-ever presentation in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Visitors have the rare opportunity to view an exact replica of the Shroud, alongside 27 thematic information panels, authentic historical artifacts, detailed video presentations, and richly illustrated brochures.
This important initiative was jointly organized by a number of esteemed institutions: the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Astana, the Kirche in Not organization, the Representative Office of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Germany, and the Pontifical Foundation ACN International.
Complementing this is the “Sacred Books” exhibition, which highlights the foundational spiritual teachings of global religions through their sacred texts. The large-scale display features 50 exemplary editions of sacred scriptures and extremely rare manuscripts, representing various religious traditions and important historical eras.
Among the most distinguished exhibits are a 7th-century Quran, the revered Quran of Khan Kenesary, meticulously reproduced facsimiles of the Torah and Talmud, 19th-century Bibles and Gospels, intricate Buddhist scrolls and symbolic artworks, and exquisitely crafted miniature books. Each of these works represents an invaluable part of the world’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
The successful implementation of this exhibition was made possible through collaboration between the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, the National Library of Israel (Jerusalem), the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Center for Manuscripts and Rare Books, the Central State Museum, the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the Astana Synagogue, and esteemed calligrapher Orynbasar Asylbek.
The exhibition will run from 10: 00 to 20: 00.
