Smithsonian, Kazakhstan Launch New Cultural Exchange Initiatives
The Smithsonian Institution will participate in several cultural exchange projects with Kazakhstan, including showcasing U.S. artisans at an international crafts festival in Almaty next month under the newly established Kazakhstan Cultural Heritage Fund.
During a Sept. 21 meeting in New York, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Halle Butvin, director of Special Projects at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, for promoting Kazakh culture in the United States. He noted that the Cultural Heritage Fund advances national culture and art while supporting joint research on the history, traditions, and spiritual life of the Kazakh people. Tokayev emphasized that cultural diplomacy will be central to strengthening U.S.–Kazakhstan ties. Planned Smithsonian programs include exhibitions, performances by Kazakh artists, and training exchanges for museum specialists in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, reported Kazinform.
According to Butvin, the initiatives are in the development stage and will require one to two years to implement, with sufficient funding being key to their success. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest cultural, educational, and research complex, comprising 21 museums and galleries, 14 research and educational centers, libraries, and the National Zoo.
Photo credit: Akorda
