Astana, 24 October. Filming has begun in Kazakhstan on a new project to popularise national art, with well-known kuishi, musicologists and researchers of cultural heritage invited to take part, Vice-President Yerlan Karin said.
"Well-known Kazakh kuishi, scholar-musicologists and experts specialising in the history of national art have been invited to take part. Filming began yesterday and will continue for several more days. I will say more about the project in the coming days," Karin wrote on Instagram. He has not yet disclosed the project's title, format or where it will be shown.
On the same day, 24 October, Karin chaired a meeting of the Ideological Council, which discussed how the President's instructions are being carried out, and met Kazakh designers to exchange views on developing a national identity, the country's recognisable visual style. "Particular attention was paid to shaping a new public ethic. The Head of State had earlier given specific instructions in this area. At the meeting, new projects of the Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development aimed at carrying out these tasks were presented," the Vice-President wrote. He did not say what these projects are.
Kuishi are performers and composers of kuis, instrumental pieces for the dombra or kobyz that form one of the foundations of Kazakh traditional music.
What it means: The state's ideological work that day moved in three directions at once, public ethics, the country's visual style and the promotion of traditional music, but the content of all three is so far known only in outline.
Who benefits: Kuishi and researchers get state attention and a platform for popularisation. Designers take part in work on the national identity. No budget for the projects has been announced.
Background: The Ideological Council is an advisory body that considers domestic policy tasks; at an earlier meeting it focused on promoting constitutional values and shaping a new public ethic.
