After a year of promotion of Kazakh culture in Germany, now it’s Germany’s turn to show off its culture in Kazakhstan, with the launch this week of the Year of Germany in Kazakhstan 2010.

A Kazakh woman on the plateau.
Photo: Anguskirk/flickr.com

It is the largest landlocked country in the world, taking up an area the size of Western Europe: Kazakhstan, the largest of the central Asia, former Soviet republics, looks to Germany as its most reliable partner in the European Union. This is the reason for the launch this week of the Year of Germany in Kazakhstan 2010. The Year is aimed at providing Kazakhs with insights into German culture and at building new bridges between people in both countries. A program of cultural and other events for the Year will focus on three major themes: environment and climate, education and society.

A series of exhibitions and conferences will focus on climate protection and the sustainable use of resources. Academic conferences on educational developments are also planned. The Year of Germany will also attempt to increase interest in the German language as well as interest in higher education and research in Germany. As well, a cultural program will feature both classical and contemporary art forms, highlighting the importance of the arts in today’s Germany.

This year Kazakhstan took over the role of chair of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the first Central Asian country to take on the job.