Since early times different nations and religions have peacefully coexisted in Kazakhstani steppes. Gradually this land became a place of civilizations' mutual enrichment, of cultural interosculation, a place promoting unity of nations. Today the experience of predecessors helps Kazakhstani people to strengthen interethnic and interconfession agreement, to create a multiethnic state. The reflection of such processes can be observed in all spheres of people's society, including culture.

   Recently the Assembly of Kazakhstani Nations declared a photo contest "Kazakhstan, My Home". The organizers aim at the demonstration of good-neighbour relations of Kazakhstani people through the expressive photos.

   The representatives of Diasporas, living in Kazakhstan are invited for participation in the contest, which was supported by "Mitsva" Association. The Association of Jewish National Organizations represented a set of photos by Vladimir Semchuk, a photo chronicler of the Jewish community.

  The contest is to grant six nominations: "Friendship among nations", "Our children", "Retro photo", photos on the following subjects - "Rest", landscapes "A world in your arms" and "From the life of my nation". Photos will be accepted up to December 1, 2004.

   The works are to be estimated by judges, represented by leading photo artists of Kazakhstan, members of the Assembly Council, patrons of art. While choosing a winner members of judge will take into consideration the number of voices, given to each photo at computer voting, which is to be held on the Assembly of Nations' official website.

  The main award of the contest is a digital photo camera. The best works are to be presented in the hall of the House of Friendship of Kazakhstani Nations.

Galina Goldberg