Creativity of Kazakh Masters Conquers the Hearts of Swedes
The 6th international literary festival, Open Eurasian Literature Festival & Book Forum was held in Stockholm, Sweden from 17th – 20th November 2017. The organisers chose Stockholm as the venue for the festival in order that the Swedish public could become more familiar with the work of Eurasian writers and masters of literature.
As part of the festival, Kazakhstani ethno-designer, Svetlana Yudina presented her line of brand accessories, LKM Accessories, which means Love for the Mother. Items by Svetlana Yudina are in demand, both in Kazakhstan and beyond. Thanks to the OEBF festival, the Swedish public also became acquainted with the work of this talented woman. Her handmade ornaments, bracelets and bookmarks made from all natural materials were well received by the Swedish public.
Svetlana Yudina draws inspiration for her work from her homeland, often visiting historical sites and referencing the traditions and customs of the Kazakh people. All of her accessories are permeated with her love for her motherland, which she was taught by her mother from childhood. For her work, she was awarded a certificate by Fashion House International (Moscow) for ‘Best Ethnographic Accessories Collection of the Year.’ After the exhibition, her accessories were gifted to members of the Eurasian Creative Guild and festival participants from Bulgaria, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries.
Svetlana Yudina is unique in that she is recognised not only as a designer, but also as a talented writer, an experienced psychologist and a sought-after business coach. At the festival in Stockholm, Svetlana Yudina’s debut book, How to Love Yourself was presented as part of the ECG Book Series by the British publishing house, Hertfordshire Press. With presentations of the book and accessories already having taken place in London, Bishkek, Almaty and Atyrau, it is planned that the works will be presented in Vienna in 2018.
As part of the OEBF-2017, the winners of the annual Open Eurasia competitions were announced. Saule Doszhan took third place in the category of ‘Prose’ for the story ‘Ogei jurek’,” whilst the famous poet, Galym Zhailybai took third place in the category of ‘Poetry’ for the poem ‘Kara oramal’. Outstanding artist, Dauren Kasteev took second place in the category of ‘Illustration,’ and Kairat Zakiryanov’s was named a laureate of the Open Eurasia competition for his book, Under the Sign of the Wolf. The ‘Dove of Peace’ medal was awarded to Adam Kapanov by the international association, Generals for Peace, whilst awarded to Adam Kapanov, which also granted a diploma to Naziken Alpamys.
Kazakhstan artists, Marina Mihailovskaya, Bakhtygul Mahanbetova, Kuanysh Zhienbai, Gulzada Nietkaliyeva, Medetbek Temirhan, Antonina Shuster, Nazym Saparova, Shamshiya Zhubatova and Dilyara Lindsay presented their work at the festival.
In 2017, more than 1,100 entries from authors in 37 countries were submitted for the Open Eurasia contests. In the category of ‘Poetry,’ 236 works were received, in ‘Prose’ there were 316 entries, and in ‘Illustration,’ 57 works were registered.
A total of 14 events were held as part of the OEBF 2017, including presentations by authors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Israel, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Sweden and other countries. Roundtables and art exhibitions were also held. In its sixth incarnation, the Open Eurasian Literature Festival & Book forum showed once again that each nation is rich in its culture, which reflects its mentality and intellect and bears in itself elements of universal values.
The organisers of the OEBF festival and Open Eurasia contests are the not for profit organisation, the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and the publishing house, Hertfordshire Press (Great Britain), without hosted the events without financial support from any state or affiliated bodies.
Reference Information:
Svetlana Yudina is the founder and CEO of International Master Class LLP. A business coach, psychologist, owner of the workshop and founder of the brand LKM (Love for the Mother) accessories, among her accolades she was the winner of the contest, Fashion House International Models and Talent 2017 ‘Best Ethnographic Accessories Collection of the Year 2017.’ The author of How to Love Yourself, on November 20th, 2017, Yudina became a member of the Advisory Council of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London).
Doszhanova Saule Magazbekkyzy was born on September 2nd, 1959, in the village of Aktam in the Uygur district of the Almaty region. Since 1974, her poems and articles have been published in the regional Zhetisu newspapers. In 1987, she graduated from the Faculty of Journalism of the Kazakh State University. During her time at university, her works were included in the collections of young poets Аudience, Togyz Perne, Karlygash. At the Zhiger Festival, she was named a laureate.
Saule Doszhanova is a member of the Eurasian Creative Guild. He is deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper-magazine ‘Kazakh tili men edebiyeti’ and first editor of the magazine, ‘Ulagat’.
Kasteev Dauren Nurhatovich is a member of the Union of Artists of Kazakhstan and of the Eurasian Creative Guild. He was born on March 11th, 1979, in the city of Almaty. In 1997, he graduated from the Republican Art College with a degree in Painting and Graphics. In 2001, he graduated from the Kazakh State Academy of Arts. T. Zhurgenova, majoring in Monumental Painting. His painting, Anyracay Battle was awarded with a certificate as one of the top works in the republican exhibition-competition, Kazakh National Epos in the museum named after A. Kasteev in 2012. He took first place in the exhibition-competition, Independence Bequeathed by Ancestors – dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after. A. Kasteev in 2016 for the triptych Aktaban shubyryndy. His works are in private collections both in Kazakhstan and abroad.
Galym Zhailybai is a well-known Kazakh poet, the author of more than ten books of poetry, some of which have been translated into English, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Tatar, Kyrgyz, Turkish and other languages. Galym Zhailybai is a laureate of the international literary prize ‘Alash’ (1999), laureate of the special prize of Turkey, ‘Aksham zhuldyzy’ (2001), winner of the gold medal named after S. Esenin of the International Union of Writers of Russia (2009), and holder of the ‘Ult’ award of Abai Kunanbayev (2015). He was awarded the order ‘Kurmet’ (2010), honoured worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2016). He is an honorary citizen of Bayanaul district of Pavlodar region and Zhanaarkinsky district of Karaganda region.