The Languages Day is celebrated annually on September 22 in our Republic. As a part of this festival, with participation of Kazakhstan People's Assembly, the Festival "Wreath of Friendship" took place. The closing Languages Day event was held on September 30 in the Panfilov village, at school #17 supported by ethno-cultural center of the Greeks of Talgar district "Argo", headed by the honored football coach Konstantin Muratidi.

In Panfilov school #17 (Director Natalia Tifantsidi) have students of twenty six ethnical origins and different religions. Friendship between the peoples and the harmony between religions is important for children and adults. The Greek community often holds school events under the motto "We are people of Kazakhstan."

After the national anthem of the Republic, the participants of the festival were introduced to the honored guests - Vice Mayor of Panfilov Rural District Mr. Alibekov, President of the Association of Jewish Organizations of Kazakhstan "Mitzvah" Mr. Baron, and Chairman of the Almaty Regional Greek Ethno-cultural Association "Eleutheria" Mr. Iordanidi.

President of Mitzvah Association Alexander Baron came to the festival with a gift. He brought a van full of literature that the Jewish community presented to the school #17 for the upcoming Teacher's Day. There has been a long-time friendship between our communities. Center "Rimon" has participated in many "Wreath of Friendship" Festivals and our ensemble Anahnukan is well remembered in Panfilov.

Children performed songs and dances of the peoples living in Kazakhstan in a concert that took place on September 30. The children learned about the culture of each of these dances at school #17. For this purpose, 4-5-6th grades draw lots prior to the event, then prepared and presented one or another ethnical group at the Festival according to the lot they had drawn. It is interesting to see the whole class of "Uighurs", "Jews", "Greeks", etc. Sometimes there is no single representative of that ethnicity in the class which fell by lot. But anyway, parents sew ethnic costumes, and students learn the customs, traditions and ethnical cuisines. Folk songs, dances, and music performed by children broaden the horizons and develop skills of cultural communication.

Chairman of the Ethno-cultural Association "Eleutheria" Georgy Iordanidi says, "After the Interethnic Assembly united the people of Kazakhstan into one, all events of the Greek community are held under the motto "We are the People of Kazakhstan". It helps our children gradually comprehend and learn the culture of another people. That’s how tolerance is developed. When the child is guided by a caring adult it brings amazing results."

All the activities of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and ensuring fundamental freedoms for all citizens of the republic. Children, who are growing up in the atmosphere of respect to the customs and traditions of their neighbors, are tolerant and well-oriented in the international space of cultures and customs.

Ludmila Starodubova