ASTANA – After a long hiatus, a club meant to bring together on a regular basis international chiefs of missions is reviving its activities in the newly opened Marriott Hotel. The first revived Ambassadors Club event is planned for March 25, celebrating the traditional Nauryz Festival.
The Ambassadors Club is an initiative by Art Club Kulanshi, which saw a need to form a cultural platform for international chiefs-of-missions in 2009 and has organised events ever since. The club’s host Leyla Mahat, an artist and gallery owner who promotes Kazakh culture, is currently away on a diplomatic mission. This has caused a disruption in the regularity of the club’s monthly meetings, but did not cease its existence.
A new team, under the guidance of Mahat, plans to resume the club’s initiative and expand the club’s scope of activities. The club’s main mission remains the same: to show the rich cultural heritage of Kazakhstan to the ambassadors and chiefs-of-missions based in Astana, thereby enriching their experience in the Kazakh capital.
The cultural dimension of the club will be provided by the faculty and students of Kazakh National University of the Arts, coordinated by Alibek Batyrov, head of Foreign Affairs and Creative Work at the university. The wide spectrum of disciplines offered at the university offers the opportunity for members of the club to have an enlightening and cultural taste of Kazakhstan. Everything from visual arts to instrumental and vocal music is available to be experienced by the diplomats.
The club will be inviting deputy ministers of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government organisations to be special guests during regular meetings.
The Marriot Hotel Astana has agreed to be the new partner of the Ambassador’s Club, providing a comfortable venue and other amenities.
