Karaganda RURL

On May 28-29 we were honored to meet Mr. Wren Elhai, Press attaché from the U.S. Embassy(Astana).

During two days Mr. Elhai visited AC Karaganda, participated in the “Successful Presentation” and “Global Conversation” clubs. He also took an active part at the “Get in the SCRAP!” program. Also there were meetings with D. Amanzholova, director of Regional  research library named after N.V.Gogol and meeting with AC staff, AC users and alumni. We discussed 3D printer and programming workshop and other  creative events for the users.

We welcomed our guest with an interesting cultural program. Mr. Elhai participated at ArkaSazy ensemble performance at the AC premises. The professional  musicians played folk songs and Mr. Elhai in return played his violin. Also he performed a  Kazakh song on kobyz for the musicians and the audience. 

“I've been playing the violin since I was four, and started with classical music. After I stopped performing classics, I began to improvise, play folk, bluegrass. Bluegrass is a genre of music, whose roots go to Irish, Scottish and English traditional music. I'm inspired by this genre, which is both traditional and modern.  Music and art open the door to understanding culture. I visited the festival of culture in Almaty, where everything was in the traditional style: there were yurts, the sounds of dombyra and kobyz were heard. There I saw the culture of Kazakhstan. I also decided to learnplaying kobyz”.

In his busy trip Mr. Elhai  participated at the “Novoe televidenie” program.

The press attaché  told about the program "American Corners". Corners provide information about the United States through the Internet, audio materials and video recordings of American feature films and documentaries. It supports the teaching of English by providing an extensive collection of educational  materials. In addition to the "American Corner", there are programs for students who are sent for one year to study in America for free.

‘This summer will be a very busy summer program because of EXPO: invite music groups and dancers of different genres, ballet. The programs will be held mainly in Astana, but a rock band will visit Karaganda in early July”.At the end of the TVprogram Mr. Wren Elhai performed a very beautiful Kazakh melody on his violin.

"I really liked your city, I hope that I will come again," - summed up the meeting press attaché.

 You are welcome to Karaganda, Mr.Elhai! We are looking forward to see you again!