ASTANA – The Institute for Eurasian Integration held its second international conference in the capital Sept. 15 within a series of meetings on “Modernisation 3.0: Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s identity.” The conference included two sessions – “Modern Kazakh culture in the global world” and “Modernisation 3.0: social and political trends.”
Aida Balayeva, the President’s Executive Office domestic policy department head, welcomed the participants as she discussed the modern Kazakh culture project.
“National Kazakh culture must not be limited by geographic borders and remain within the nation. Its objective is to enter the global scene and become a part of the universal cultural fund,” she said.
Balayeva stressed the importance of not only preserving the national culture, but also promoting it abroad. She noted switching to the Latin alphabet is a crucial step in reaching that goal.
The modern national culture so-called “golden fund,” a selection of best works in literature, cinema, music and the arts, was systemised through the project. It is planned that works of literature will be translated into six official UN languages.
“This is an enormous number of achievements which deserve to be presented to the world. The project will become a facet that will enable our culture to shine in a new light,” said Balayeva.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs international information committee chair Talgat Zhumagulov presented the results of the overseas study on successful cultural promotion practices that can be implemented in Kazakhstan. The practices are government institutions participating in the promotion process; digitalising cultural heritage, such as creating virtual tours to museums and galleries via free online platforms; supporting young talents and partnering at international book festivals, including supplying Kazakh books to the events.
Ministry of Culture and Sports culture and arts department director Almaz Nurazkhan listed Kazakhstan’s cultural achievements and discussed their presentation abroad.
“The most important asset is our creative youth,” he said.
Nurazkhan mentioned popular Kazakh artists, like Alan Buribayev, Dimash Kudaibergen and Mariya Mudryak, whose performances are met with ovations around the world. He added the national operas “Kyz Zhibek” and “Birzhan Sara” are expected to be translated into the languages of the countries where they will be performed.
“Integration of our culture into the globalised world is our main objective,” he noted.
Other speakers, such as culturologist Zira Nauryzbayeva and producer Karlygash Alzhiyeva, named the existing issues that must be addressed for successful cultural modernisation to occur. Nauryzbayeva stressed the importance of a free market approach to book publications and the need to implement it, while Alzhiyeva identified art specialists’ brain drain as a hindrance.
