We are pleased to welcome you to the Amet and Ayimkhan Shamuratov Museum

Good afternoon, dear guests. We are pleased to welcome you to the Amet and Ayimkhan Shamuratov Museum. This is the first private museum in Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan, which opened in 1999. The museum is dedicated to two outstanding figures of the early 20th century: writer, poet, playwright, translator, and statesman Amet Shamuratov, and his wife, Ayimkhan (Kazimbetova) Shamuratova, the first woman to step onto the stage with her unique voice.

They contributed greatly to the development of Karakalpak culture, literature, and education. What was the heroism of our heroine? It was the fact that she was not afraid to go on stage, even though it was life-threatening at the time.

During the Second World War, from 1941 to 1944, despite the cold and heat, Ayimkhan traveled across Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan with her infant children in a cart and cargo truck. She led a troupe of artists and gave 4,773 solo concerts and performances. She sang Karakalpak, Uzbek, Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkmen, and many other songs to wounded soldiers. She also raised money for a combat aircraft. The telegram about this is kept in our museum.

Her husband, Amet Shamuratov, supported her. During the day, he traveled around the regions to promote culture, education, and agriculture. In the evening, he wrote poems for his beloved Ayimkhan and authored the play "Kyryk Kyz.” He envisioned himself in the role of Gulaym, a heroine with a fierce spirit, who achieved victory, but their happiness together was short-lived. Amet Shamuratov passed away at the age of 41, which was a great loss for her. She was left with seven children, the youngest only a month old. All her children went on to become well-known figures in Karakalpakstan.

Ayimkhan devoted 60 years to the theater, playing over 100 female roles in Karakalpak, Kazakh, Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz, and other plays. She also performed more than 200 songs for the people of the USSR.

Now, a brief note about the museum: it operates without government support or external sponsors and is sponsored by the "Jipek Joli" Hotel.

If you wish to make a contribution, we gladly accept cash donations, which can be placed in the donation box.

Thank you for visiting, and we appreciate any donations. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!