Modernised cultural centre with media and recording studios opens in eastern Kazakhstan

A modernised district cultural centre has opened in the village of Ulken Naryn in East Kazakhstan Region. The facility now houses studios for creative activities and a dedicated space where schoolchildren can spend time after classes, El.kz reports.

The Qazaqstan Khalqyna Public Foundation allocated over 155 million tenge for the centre’s equipment and facilities, according to the project organisers. The project was implemented under the QH Madenı damu alany programme, while major renovation works on the building had previously been completed in 2022 using funds from the local budget.

The Cultural Centre now features ten specialised rooms. Children and adults will be able to take vocal lessons, learn to play the dombra and other traditional musical instruments, and develop their skills in acting, dance and visual arts.

Dedicated facilities have also been provided for audio recording, photography and video production, video editing, and the making of stage costumes. In addition, the centre has opened a co-working space and a games room. The auditorium has been upgraded with new sound equipment and a stage curtain.

“Today, the co-working centre opened. Now, after classes, we will be able to come here with our friends, play, relax and do our homework,” Kuanysh Askenbayev, an 8th-grade student said.

According to the organisers, an additional 50 million tenge was allocated from the regional and district budgets for landscaping and site improvement works.

Chair of the Foundation’s Management Board Lyazzat  Chinkisbayeva said that this year the organisation plans to modernise 34 cultural centres across Kazakhstan. According to her, the initiative is intended to cover one district-level and one rural cultural institution in each region.

“I have been attending a dance club since the first grade. There, we learn Kazakh traditional and contemporary dances,” said Amina Radhzhankyzy, a 6th-grade student. She noted that the Cultural Centre now offers additional classes for children.

In addition to its cultural development initiatives, the Foundation supports the provision of equipment to rural schools.

According to the organisers, four schools in Ulken Naryn District are being equipped with facilities for science education, enabling students to conduct practical experiments in physics, chemistry and biology.