The Burabay resort in Kazakhstan recently played host to 200 ethnic Kazakh children from around the world as part of the Zhas Kazakh summer camp organized by the Otandastar Foundation. The two-week camp, which took place from July 1 to 14, aimed to provide an enriching educational and entertainment program for the participants.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 from eight different countries, including Belarus, China, Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Russia, the United States, and Uzbekistan, gathered at the picturesque Burabay resort. The camp featured a diverse range of activities, such as horse riding, archery, traditional Kazakh sports, and applied arts classes. The young attendees also had the opportunity to learn the Kazakh language and dombra, a traditional Kazakh musical instrument.
Imanbek Kniyazuly, a participant from Mongolia, shared his excitement about the camp.
"During these two weeks, we had Kazakh language and history lessons and archery classes. It is really interesting and exciting here," Imanbek stated.
The camp provided an immersive environment for the children to learn about Kazakh culture and traditions while forging new friendships with peers from different countries.
In addition to the recreational activities, the camp also featured an exhibition of Kazakhstan's leading universities. The aim was to familiarize the young participants with the country's education system and training programs, providing them with valuable insights into academic opportunities in Kazakhstan.
Aisha Okhtaubayeva, a camper from Russia, expressed her gratitude for the experience.
"I have made new friends and certainly learned a lot about Kazakhstan," Aisha shared.
The camp not only fostered cultural exchange but also served as a platform for participants to broaden their knowledge and understanding of Kazakhstan's history, language, and traditions.
The Otandastar Foundation initiated the summer camp project in 2019, welcoming 150 children from seven countries to Kazakhstan. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was temporarily suspended for two years. In 2022, 84 children from China, France, Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Russia, and Türkiye were able to attend the camp, marking a successful return to the program.
The Zhas Kazakh summer camp has not only provided a memorable experience for the participating children but has also contributed to promoting cultural exchange and strengthening ties between ethnic Kazakhs residing abroad and their home country.
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