Cultural Tourism and the Song Heritage of SaryArka

Saryarka’s steppe and lakes region, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, harbors a unique musical landscape where natural morphology, acoustic environments, and oral-professional song traditions intersect to form a cohesive cultural system. This study reveals that the classical Arka sal and seri songs of the 19th and early 20th centuries—such as Birzhan sal, Aqan seri, and Ukili Ybyray—serve as bearers of an artistic model that integrates sound, space, and collective memory, offering a strategic resource for sustainable cultural tourism. By synthesizing ethnomusicology, cultural geography, soundscape theory, and intangible heritage frameworks, the research identifies strong correlations between landscape characteristics, vocal-performative practices, and the symbolic-semiotic structure of song texts. These findings underscore the potential of Saryarka’s musical heritage to foster contemporary cultural tourism while preserving its intangible legacy.

Baibek, A., Kuzeubay, A., & Azilkiyasheva, B. (2026). Cultural Tourism and the Song Heritage of SaryArka. Advances in Tourism Innovation and Cultural Heritage, 337–366. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-2600-3285-5.ch012