Silk Road Literary Week opens at KazNUFarabi University

The opening ceremony of the Silk Road Literary Week in Kazakhstan was held at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

The main goal of the week is to develop cultural cooperation between the countries located along the Silk Road, as well as to expand educational and artistic ties between the two countries.

The international event was attended by Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Hu Heping, Chairman of the Board – Rector of KazNU, Zhanseyit Tuimebayev, Deputy Akim of Almaty Azamat Kaldybekov, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Almaty Jiang Wei, Executive Director of the Chinese Corporation for the Import and Export of Books Li Hongwen, faculty, renowned scientists and student youth.

During the opening ceremony of the week, KazNU Rector Zhanseit Tuimebayev made a speech in which he noted the importance of holding such a large-scale event. He stressed that relations between Kazakhstan and China have moved to a new stage, which can be called the "Golden Age" of cooperation.

"The links between the literature of China and Kazakhstan are deep and multifaceted. The Great Silk Road was not only a trade route, but also played a special role in the development of culture, the enrichment of literary traditions of the two countries and the progress of civilization.

Currently, literary ties between the two countries are at a high level and continue to strengthen thanks to the development of literary translation and scientific exchange.

In the Chinese tradition, literature is considered as a powerful means of education, self-knowledge and expression of philosophical ideas. Literary works in Kazakh culture are a true treasure of our people, whose roots go back thousands of years. Therefore, both sides have great opportunities to revitalize cultural ties",- said the rector.

Zhanseit Tuimebayev also focused on the joint work of KazNU with Chinese universities in the field of higher education and science. Currently, the university has concluded agreements with 65 universities in China. As a result, joint research centers and laboratories were established on the basis of the educational institution with the Chinese side. In 2023, a branch of the Northwestern Polytechnic University of China was opened at KazNU. In addition, the Confucius Institute and the Department of Chinese Studies are successfully operating.

At the event, Deputy Akim of Almaty Azamat Kaldybekov stressed: "Almaty is not only the cultural and educational center of Kazakhstan, but also a historically important point of the Great Silk Road. Today's event is a symbol of the unification of interests in literature, history, international cooperation and moral values"

Chinese Consul General in Almaty Jiang Wei said that within the framework of the Silk Road Literary Week in Kazakhstan, joint projects and new initiatives in the field of culture and literature will be implemented.

"Kazakhstan and China are important strategic partners and key allies. Today, the two countries are making great strides in the humanitarian field. Literature is a golden bridge that brings the hearts of nations closer together. In recent years, as the ties between China and Kazakhstan have strengthened, the Kazakh people have been increasingly interested in China, as well as the Chinese people in the history of Kazakhstan",- the Consul General noted.