Pandemic is not an obstacle for Slovaks to get acquainted with Kazakhstan
BRATISLAVA, March 17, 2021 – The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Slovakia together with the Kazakh Tourism national company and the British publishing house Hertforshire Press presented a new book “101 zážitkov z Kazachstanu” (101 experiences of Kazakhstan), one of the first books about Kazakhstan in Slovak.
“101 experiences of Kazakhstan” is a vivid photo album and a kind of tourist guide that reveals in detail the identity and traditions of the country from ancient times till the present day, presenting people, architecture, interesting cities and places, nature, including mountains, lakes, canyons and numerous attractions.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Slovakia Roman Vassilenko and Ambassador of Slovakia to Kazakhstan Milan Kollar, author and co-editor of the book Nick Rowan, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism Yerzhan Yerkinbaev, Editor-in-Chief of Finančné noviny Vladimír Bačišin, General Director of the National Academic Library of Kazakhstan Umitkhan Munalbayeva, Professor of the Economic University in Bratislava (EUBA) Elena Kašt’áková, Chairman of the Board - Rector of the International University of Tourism and Hospitality (IUTH) Mainura Murzamadiyeva, translator of the book Timea Jurčová and publisher of Hertfordshire Press Marat Akhmetzhanov spoke at the event to an audience that included residents and experts from Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Germany, the UK and other countries.
Opening the event, Ambassador Vassilenko said “the book was published in the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, when it was even strange to think that mankind would ever be able to return to normal life again, an integral part of which is travel, discovery of unknown places, meeting new people and gaining new experiences. But more and more news about the progress in the development of vaccines against coronavirus from different parts of the world give us hope that, in fact, return of normal life is quite possible and is not far away. This colorful book is a symbol and token of this hope for swift arrival of such normal future. By publishing of this book, one of the first about our country in the beautiful Slovak language, we want to say to our friends from the bottom of our hearts: “Welcome to a huge and unique country in the very heart of Eurasia!”
Noting the ongoing pandemic, which had a very serious negative impact specifically on the tourism and hospitality industry, the diplomat noted that the presentation of the book is “an attempt by our joint efforts, if you want, by an effort of will, to bring the end of the pandemic closer and start planning a new-found normal life.” In this regard, it was proposed to discuss at the presentation challenges facing the tourism industry and prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan, Slovakia and other countries in this area.
“Kazakhstan and the entire Central Asian region are usually referred to as a crossroads of civilizations. And it is true. But research of the scientists from many countries in recent decades also suggests that our region was, rather a “crossroads civilization”, as the American professor Frederick Starr put it vividly. Being in the very center of Eurasia and having played a key role in the creation of the Great Silk Road and the establishment of connections – trade, scientific, technological, intellectual – between different civilizations of the Middle East, China and India, the Central Asian region, thanks to outstanding scholars, made its unique contribution to the development of science, philosophy, astronomy, medicine, and technology in various fields. Today, the south part of Kazakhstan and cities such as Turkestan, Shymkent and Taraz are living witnesses of this connection with antiquity. But, as our book says, Kazakhstan is a country where ancient traditions, rich history and modern dynamism are intertwined in a unique pattern. We hope that by describing and showing many of the evidences of this rich palette of life in Kazakhstan in the form of “impressions”, we will “keep up the fire” of the desire of our friends from Slovakia to visit the Land of the Great Steppe,” summed up Roman Vassilenko.
In turn, Ambassador of Slovakia to Kazakhstan Milan Kollar noted the publication of this unique book is a new page in the history of Kazakh-Slovak relations, which he described as excellent. The Slovak diplomat expressed hope for the intensification of mutual trips of citizens and the development of cooperation in the field of tourism when the pandemic ends, calling the book “a good inspiration” for this.
Yerzhan Yerkinbaev in his remarks emphasized that this project, despite the restrictions on movement around the world due to the coronavirus, is a kind of hope for the early recovery of the tourism field and an invitation to visit our country in future. The head of Kazakh Tourism presented information on the work being done to prepare the tourism business for the post-pandemic period, expressing his readiness to establish closer contacts with European partners.
“The moment I opened the pages of this amazing book, where all the beauties and “impressions” of our country are superbly illustrated, a true patriot of my county, homeland and people immediately woke up inside of me,” U. Munalbaeva said. To further popularize the book and maximize its effect in the digital age, she proposed to put the entire book online on an electronic library portal supported by Kazakhstan’s National Acamedic Library.
“I was lucky to visit Kazakhstan several times, and I can say with confidence it is an amazing country with no less amazing people and “101 impressions” is another confirmation of this,” said E. Kašt’áková expressing hope for fruitful cooperation in light of the recently signed memorandum of cooperation between EUBA and IUTH in Turkestan.
In turn, M. Murzamadiyeva invited each participant of the event to visit Kazakhstan and especially, the golden cradle of the Turkic world, Turkestan. The rector of the university expressed her firm intention to put into practice the provisions of the recently signed memorandum with EUBA.
“From the very first pages, this amazing publication plunged me into a sense of nostalgia for Kazakhstan and reminded me of the unforgettable time spent in this beautiful country,” noted ex-commissioner of the Slovak pavilion of EXPO 2017 in Astana, Monika Sofiya Soročinová. According to her, there is a lot in common between Slovaks and the people of Kazakhstan: both peoples are known for their “benevolence, kind-heartedness and hospitality,” and the resumption of tourist exchanges between the two countries will certainly contribute to further strengthening cooperation. She also noted the convenient “handbag-fit” format of the book.
Hertforshire Press publisher M. Akhmetzhanov said that, although during the publishing house’s activity more than 70 books about the Central Asian region or book by authors from the region were published in English, the creation of the book “101 zážitkov z Kazachstanu” in Slovak opened a qualitatively new chapter in the life of the publishing house and stimulated interest in publishing similar books in other European languages.
During an interested discussion, the participants discussed the challenges and difficulties facing the tourism industry at present, exchanged views on promising areas of cooperation, and outlined ways of specific interaction between tourist operators in Kazakhstan, Slovakia and other countries.
A special flavor and a new dimension to the event were given by the participation of members of the Dimash Kudaibergen fan club, “Dimash Dears Slovakia”. As a member of the club Jaroslava Baková noted, “Dimash Kudaibergen is a goodwill ambassador of Kazakhstan. Thanks to Dimash, we and many fans of his work in Slovakia and around the world fell in love with Kazakhstan, we study the Kazakh language, Kazakh culture. That is why Kazakhstan is our number one tourist destination as soon as the pandemic ends. Rakhmet sizge! (thank you in Kazakh)”
As the publishing house “Hertfordshire Press” notes, “101 zážitkov z Kazachstanu” clearly proves that it is one of the countries the richest in natural beauty in Central Asia. Famous places attract guests with emerald-green pine forests and lengthy scenic canyons, and the mountains not only fascinate with their massiveness, but also allow you to plunge into many adventures at any time of the year.”
By opening the book, the reader is instantly transported to the Land of the Great Steppe and with each “impression”, s/he will more and more immerse himself/herself in the hospitable atmosphere of the largest country in Central Asia, learn more about its architecture, monuments, nature, people and cuisine. Of course, reading the book is just the first step towards experiencing authentic experiences, and the book’s publishers hope it will encourage readers to visit Kazakhstan or to feel them in person – and not just the first hundred impressions.
The book, currently sent to all major university and public libraries in Slovakia, was jointly prepared by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Bratislava, the Kazakh Tourism national company and Hertfordshire Press and was published in December 2020 with a circulation of 1000 copies. As Ambassador Vassilenko noted at the end of the event, in case of need, the embassy is ready to consider the possibility of preparing a new edition of the book in the future.