“Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage”
LONDON(Raza Syed)Kazakh Embassy London in association with the Dimash Qudaibergen UK&Worldwide Fan Club organised a vibrant cultural event to commemorate the International Mother Language Day on 17 February 2023 in London.
HE Mr Magzhan Ilyassov,Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the UK,delivered the inaugural remarks at the event.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan in his remarks, commended the organisers for the wonderful program and appreciated in particular the initiative taken by them to engage the younger generation in this effort, and connecting them to their cultural roots.
HE Mr Magzhan Ilyassov emphasized the importance of the local language and said that many languages have disappeared from the world today and there is a fear that more languages will disappear from the world in the future.
According to a study by Oxford University, about 7,000 languages are spoken around the world and according to UNESCO, a subsidiary of the United Nations, 230 native languages have become extinct since 1950،He added.
He said Mother tongue is the main source of human identity, communication, education and development, but when the language disappears, different types of culture also disappear along with it and the different traditions, unique ways of thinking and their expression are better. The most valuable resources of the future are also exhausted.
Highlighting the commemoration of International Mother Language Day, HE Mr Magzhan Ilyassov added, “this is something to which we all need to pay special attention. February 21 is not just for us. We must strive to honour those who loved their mother tongue and sacrificed their lives for it while finding and preserving any lost mother tongues.”
H.E. Ambassador Magzhan Ilyassov, thanked all the participants for their excellent contribution to the creative observance of the International Mother Language Day 2023. He concluded by distinguishing the importance of “otherness”, let’s embrace others. “We must do, all we can, to save our mother tongue, culture and our unity in diversity.“
At this occasion,Jill Beecham, Founder and active member of UK&Worldwide Fan Club, introduced the fan club and briefly spoke about current and future projects and plans of the Fan Club. She presented a cheque of One million Kazakhstani Tenge to the Ambassador. Fan Club raised this donation for the SOS Children’s Villages Kazakhstan.
Gulzhan Asanova, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Kazakhstan,Ms Gulzhan Asanova’s video meassge was also shown to the guests.
Music performed by Mr. ADAI` kuiі made the event more colourful، His performance was highly appreciated by the audience.
The most interesting part of the event was presented by a 10-year-old girl named Kausar Karaman . She taught the audience some Kazakh phrases that are commonly used in everyday life. The audience appreciated her courage, confidence and dedication. She is also presenter of the program “Miss Kaussar” on Kazakh channel for kids “BalapanTV”.
At the end of the programme, Fan Club members representing different languages were invited to recite short pieces of poetry in their mother tongues. Around eight women recited poetry in their mother tongues.
On the behalf of Eurasian Creative Guild(ECG) Raza Syed(London Post), Bella Kogan, Rosa Vercoe and Mr.Serghei participated in the programme.
Distinguish guest from different walk of life participated at the event.On behalf of the Kazakh Embassy, the guests were treated with traditional Kazakh food, which was enjoyed by the guests.Thus a lively afternoon came to an end.
