Kazakhstan: Modernity and Traditions

The International Summer School «Kazakhstan: Modernity and Traditions» began its work at Al-Farabi KazNU.

The concept of the program is the formation of a positive image about Kazakhstan and Kazakh culture in general through the introduction and study of the characteristics of Kazakh culture in the process of its historical development, in creating favorable conditions for further strengthening academic, scientific, cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria.

The Summer School began with a campus tour, visiting the University Museums, Scientific library, «Keremet» Student Service Center, ecosystem «Akvaponika», and the Situational Monitoring Center. A meeting was held in the building of the Scientific library with participation of the University management and the Deans of the Faculties. The event was opened with an introductory lecture entitled «The place of Kazakh Culture in World Civilization» by Ph.D., Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of KazNU, Aliya Massalimova, who introduced the guests with the University’s achievements in the international QS, QS Stars rankings, as well as in the UN Academic Impact program, the concepts of Al-Farabi Smart University, University 4.0, the international project «Formation of Citizens of a Virtuous Society», the promotion of the projects «Ruhani Zhangyru». Professor of the Department of Psychology Kabakova Mayra spoke about the experience of cooperation between Universities of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria in clinical psychology and social work. Director of Al-Farabi Scientific-Educational and Cultural Center at Sofia University, coordinator of the joint two-diploma educational program «Europe and Asia: Cultural Diplomacy and Geopolitics of the EU», Violeta Dobychina, made a presentation on the activities of the Center, which aims to promote the Kazakh language, culture and modern research achievements of the Kazakhstan research community in all its aspects.

On May 21, in the course of the work of the Summer School, the thesis of undergraduates of the joint two-diploma educational program «Europe and Asia: Cultural Diplomacy and Geopolitics of the EU» will take place.

The listeners of the International Summer School will have a rich and exciting cultural program: the ballet Legends of the Great Steppe at the Abay Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, a master class at the College under the Zhurgenev Kazakh National Academy of Arts, a demonstration of Kazakh national instruments of the Ykylas Kazakh folk instruments interactive events at the A.Kasteev Museum of Fine Arts, a visit to the Ethno-Aul «Huns», where participants will be given master classes on felting and pottery art, a visit to the wonder of nature of the Charyn Canyon, as well as a number of excursions to interesting historical and architectural sights of Almaty and Almaty region. The Summer School will continue until May 23.

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