A Day of Meanings, Traditions and Spiritual Warmth
The ten-day Nauryznama celebration, launched at the university on March 14 by the Department of Youth Policy, was continued today by the Faculty of Multilingual Education and the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, with the active participation of the same department involved in all events of the celebration.
The theme of the day was Culture and National Traditions Day. As part of the program, participants presented one of the most beautiful Kazakh traditions that plays an important role in the life of every person - the beginning of a new family.
The feeling of love is the eternal driving force of humanity, but within our traditions it acquires a sacred meaning. When two young people decide to unite their destinies, a great continuity comes into force: parental blessing and national rituals transform the union of two individuals into a strong bridge connecting entire families and generations.
Behind this beautiful picture, however, lies enormous effort. Preparing for the culmination - the festive toi - is a complex organizational process in which every participant has a unique role and responsibility.
The “kuda tusu” ceremony (the traditional matchmaking ritual) is not merely a formality but a subtle diplomacy that tests eloquence, generosity, and mutual respect.
Today our faculty represented the groom’s side, which meant that we were entrusted with an important mission - to bring joy, generosity, and positive energy into the shared celebration. We came not only as guests but also as carriers of the rich heritage of our ancestors, ready to demonstrate the beauty and depth of national customs.
Many of us have attended similar theatrical performances of Kazakh traditions such as kyz uzatu, tusau keser, til ashar, and besik toi, and therefore generally know what to expect. However, what took place today in the university’s assembly hall was truly exceptional - vibrant, inspiring, and brilliant - while carefully preserving authentic traditions.
Today we did not merely reconstruct a ritual; we breathed life into it. The “groom’s side” demonstrated that modern intellect and loyalty to cultural roots form the true identity of today’s generation. Through improvisation, lively dialogue, and sincere laughter, the audience witnessed how many roles and functions merge into a single national heritage.
The assembly hall became a true meeting point of generations. There were no empty seats - yet there was something even greater: a shared atmosphere uniting respected elders, veteran educators, prominent scholars, and the university’s vibrant youth.
The stage presented not just a symbolic ceremony but a vivid cultural scene. Traditional carpets, carved chests, elegant kamzols, and shining jewelry filled the hall with a sense of history. Yet the real magic lay in the people themselves - it became a genuine contest of wit and wisdom.
The highlight of the day was brilliant improvisation. When the roles of matchmakers were played by the Rector, vice-rectors, department heads, and doctors of science, academic seriousness gave way to folk eloquence.
It was clear to everyone that there was no script - every speech and response emerged spontaneously before the audience’s eyes. It was a true intellectual dialogue where each remark struck its target precisely. Playful remarks addressed to the “bride’s side” and the witty responses of the “groom’s side” filled the hall with applause and laughter.
Kazakh culture has always highly valued eloquence, and today provided an excellent opportunity to witness this tradition firsthand. The audience heard genuine spoken artistry -true Kazakh oratory (sheshendik oner) -without prepared texts.
The debate over the bride - the graceful and talented Aiymgul from the Faculty of Humanities - became particularly engaging. When the bride’s side proudly mentioned that she graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University with honors, the groom’s side presented its own argument: the groom, Asylbi, is a young lecturer with international education, fluency in several languages, and remarkable intellect. This union symbolized not only the connection of two families but also the meeting of two intellectual worlds.
The culmination of the celebration was the “Syrga salu” ceremony - the traditional engagement ritual - conducted with great dignity.
The event concluded with a commemorative photo session, gift exchanges, and festive refreshments. Long after the celebration ended, participants continued discussing and recalling this remarkable event.
It was a truly unforgettable atmosphere - a genuine “theatre of life” where science met tradition, and the university’s leadership transformed into witty and charismatic matchmakers. Moments like these make Nauryz at the university a vibrant and unifying celebration.
Under the traditional “shashu”, when sweets were scattered across the hall as a symbol of joy and prosperity, everyone once again felt that traditions are not only part of the past - they are our present, our inspiration, and our strength.
The day itself was memorable: in the morning the round table “The New Constitution - A New Stage in the Country’s Development” was held in Khalel Hall, followed by the joint Nauryz event organized by two faculties. Later, the Department of Russian Philology celebrated the birthdays of two colleagues - Saltanat Khairliyevna Zhumagaziyeva and Moldir Temirbolatovna Kuangaliyeva.
Reflecting on the Nauryz celebration, one may ask what made this event so special. First of all, the traditions present in every detail recreated the atmosphere of a traditional Kazakh aul, where hospitality is valued above all and every word carries weight. Secondly, the creative synergy and talents of the humanities scholars transformed the event into a true cultural performance. Finally, the spirit of renewal - because Nauryz marks the beginning of a new path, and we begin it with inspiration, confidence, and creativity.
May this celebration bring prosperity to every home and success to our university. May our traditions live in the hearts of young people and inspire them to achieve new heights.
Ulys on bolsyn, ak mol bolsyn, agaіyn!
Zharkyn Kenzhebayeva
Professor, Department of Russian Philology
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