In Kazakhstan events in celebration of the 61 anniversary of the Independence of Israel were launched. In the Hesed exhibition center Polina an exhibition of a well known Almaty artisit-photographer Nikolay Postnikov was opened. The exhibition under the name "Travel #12. Israel. Allegro." was opened by the President of Mitsva Association Alexander Baron. Valeriy Zhandauletov, Representative of the press service of the President of Kazakhstan, addressed the audience with welcoming remarks. Over 100 people gathered for the opening ceremony including famous Almaty photographers - V. Korenchu, O. Belyalov, V. Yelagin, I. Fishman, V. Alyabyev, V. Konstantinov.

Nikolay Postnikov said "I wanted to show respect to people of Israel by organizing my exhibition. I travel a lot, but this trip was in a sense an Allegro, and this is reflected in the exhibition name. A whole year will not be enough to express all my impressions about this amazing country. There was not a single place where somebody could prohibit me to take pictures. Almost nobody refused to be photographed. People in Israel are great! They are open minded, kind, and work a lot. Shabbat is going on for only 1.5 days, but they know how to have fun as well. This is a series of photographs "Fathers and Children". When I entered the zoo, I realized that I would not take pictures of animals but I would take pictures only of children. This was amazing site. Israel has a cult of children. I fell in love with Israel with all my heart".

Events in celebration of the Independence Day of Israel will continue on April 26 by concert in the State Concert Center named after Zhambyl.

Lyudmila Starodubova