BURABAY, Kazakhstan — In the heart of a Kazakh winter, a serene lakeside resort transformed into a vibrant crossroads of continents. From November 29 to December 2, the Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary, not merely as a cultural gathering but by solidifying its status as Eurasia’s premier platform for creative diplomacy.
What began in 2021 as an initiative of the London-based Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) has blossomed into a pivotal annual event. This year, Burabay welcomed over 70 poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and thinkers from 20 countries, proving that art remains a universal language capable of bridging vast geographical and cultural divides.
A Stage for the Next Generation
The festival ignited at the Higher Pedagogical College in Shchuchinsk with the pulse of new talent. The Cinema Future Youth Film Festival awards ceremony honored emerging directors from Kazakhstan, the USA, South Korea, and the UAE. Their works—ranging from intimate documentaries to bold animations—were celebrated for visual innovation and narrative depth, setting a tone of youthful, global perspective.
Where Film and Philosophy Converge
The momentum continued with the Burabay International Short Film Festival (BISFF), screening finalists from Russia to Argentina, Israel to China. Awards recognized powerful storytelling, from the Best Social Issue Drama “Hatred” (Kazakhstan) to the Best Short Film “Cellar” (Russia).
Beyond screenings, “Dialogues about Art” sessions sparked deep conversation. A highlight was a paradigm-shifting lecture by ECG Ambassador Yusuf Krykbessov, who explored the fertile intersection of science, art, and spirituality.
Honouring Bridges and Builders
A poignant evening at the “House by the Lake” boutique hotel underscored the festival’s diplomatic heart. Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY, presented the ECG’s founder, Marat Akhmedjanov, with a medal for promoting Turkic cultures. In a resonant exchange, Raev himself received the Jonathan Fryer Medal for advancing Eurasian cultural diplomacy worldwide.
Celebrating Community and Creation
December 1 offered a shift in rhythm at the ECG Horizons creative residence. Participants bonded over winter landscapes, fire rituals, craft fairs, and workshops—a day of informal warmth and collaboration that often seeds future projects.
Here, the literary pulse of the Guild beat strong. Hertfordshire Press unveiled its latest publications, featuring winners of the Open Eurasia 2024 contest and new works from authors across the UK, Central Asia, and beyond. Major collaborative projects for 2026 were announced, including the next Voices of Friends almanac and new volumes of the Great Steppe Treasury art catalogue.
The Gala: A Decade of Dedication
The festival’s crescendo was a gala celebrating the architects of cultural exchange. The ECG 10th Anniversary Medal honored longstanding members from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the UK, Bashkortostan, and Russia. The Jonathan Fryer Medal was bestowed upon Yusuf Krykbessov and Nurlan Munbayev for their exceptional contributions.
The Guild also welcomed new members, from the Mycelium creative group to musician Sergei Klitsenko, ensuring its evolving voice. A significant moment was the announcement of the ECG’s new leadership for 2026: British actress Francesca Mepham as Chair and Saltanat Khamzeyeva as Vice-Chair.
A special publication grant for the Great Steppe Treasury catalogue was awarded to painter Evgenia Serebryakova, whose work captivated the festival audience.
Final Echoes: Poetry and Promise
The closing day at Wyndham Garden Burabay was an intimate blend of reflection and expression. From Elena Korneyeva’s (Russia) “Poetry Therapy” session to Valeria Strekalovskaya’s (Ukraine) workshop “Through Fairy Tales – to the Stars,” the focus returned to art’s healing power. A spirited open-mic session and the online “Voices of Eurasia” marathon carried the festival’s energy out into the world.
Supported by partners like Wyndham Garden Burabay, SKALA Hotel, The London Post, OCA Magazine, EurasianStar.com, House by the Lake boutique hotel, Higher Pedagogical College of Shchuchinsk, Astana Onim and International Lions Club Almaty.
the fifth Voices of Friends festival demonstrated that in a complex world, the shared spaces of poetry, film, and visual art are not a luxury, but a necessity. It concluded not as a finale, but as an open invitation—a reaffirmation that the cultural heart of Eurasia beats strongest when its many voices speak, and listen, together.
