On 22 September 2009, the Day of Languages took place at the Central city library named after Krylov and was patronaged by the Bostandyksky Akimat. Almaty is a multinational city; 15 national community centres endeavour to preserve their culture and traditions of their ancestors for children. Those who take a great care of their own national heritage inevitably start to appreciate and value the achievements of other ethnicities. Hence the knowledge of Kazakh language becomes an imperative cultural necessity.

The schoolchildren of Bostandyksky region gathered in the hospitable building of Krylov’s library. Among the guests were visitors from the Korean, Jewish, Turkish, Russian and Tatar national cultural centres. Turkish and Jewish centres presented posters which included household goods, materials about culture and traditions, and periodic publications. The Executive Director of the Corporate Republic Fund for the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Gabit Nuradil opened the holiday. He familiarised the audience with the work of the Assembly on learning languages in the Republic, and wished all the children to have success in gaining knowledge of Kazak, English and Russian languages.

The schoolchildren sang songs and presented some drama items in Kazakh language, and guests in ethnic costumes demonstrated their national artistic creativity. An ensemble of four girls in black and yellow bright kimonos played Korean percussion instruments remarkably well. The uncommon form of drums and gongs raised interest among young audience. Then children from the community centre "Rimon" recited a Jewish dance. Their beautiful turquoise suits with the silver galloons, polished choreography, lively Jewish music and kippot on the children's heads forced the spectators to rise from their seats in order to observe the performance better. A girl from the Russian community centre dressed in a red sarafan, a body warmer made of brocade, and kokoshnik sang a song about matryoshka and "In our Kazakhstan…" with a wonderful voice. Turkish children performed "Lezghinka". Their suits and the name of dance greatly resembled Caucasus, indeed their ancestors migrated to Kazakhstan from Meskhetia. Young Tatar girls enthusiastically sang a song in their native language. The diversity of cultures greatly decorated the holiday.

In a foyer there was an exhibition of children's drawings in which the Day of Languages was also represented. All children have their native language, but they understand that learning other languages will help them to become well educated and successful individuals. And the celebration organized by the library demonstrated it well.

Ludmila Starodubova