Azerbaijani Sunday school opens in Almaty - PHOTO
An Azerbaijani Sunday school has begun operating in Almaty, where Azerbaijani and Kazakh languages will be taught free of charge, and students will also be introduced to the history, culture, and literature of Azerbaijan.
As the Kazakhstan bureau of Report informs, the school was created on the initiative of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Kazakhstan with the support of the State Committee on Work with the Diaspora of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani ethnocultural associations of Almaty, and compatriots living in Kazakhstan.
The ceremony began with the performance of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Speaking at the event, the head of the representative office of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Almaty, Vusal Aliyev, stated that the school is of particular importance for representatives of the second and third generations of Azerbaijanis living outside their historical homeland.
He recalled that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, during the V Congress of World Azerbaijanis in Shusha, particularly emphasized the need for compatriots living abroad to preserve their native language, national culture, and ties with Azerbaijan.
According to Aliyev, the opening of the school is also significant in the context of the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
"We are creating not just an educational platform. We are building another bridge between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. I am confident that the Sunday school will become a place not only for learning, but also for communication, cultural exchange, new acquaintances, and joint initiatives," he said.
Aliyev noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, thanks to the political will of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, have reached the level of strategic partnership and alliance. According to him, along with political, economic, transport, and energy cooperation, humanitarian ties and contacts between the citizens of the two countries play an important role.
The school will teach Azerbaijani and Kazakh languages. The curriculum also provides for classes on the history, literature, geography, culture, and art of Azerbaijan.
Special attention is planned to be paid to the history of Azerbaijani-Kazakh relations, the common cultural and historical heritage of the Turkic peoples, national traditions, and the closeness of the languages of the two peoples.
The classes may be attended not only by ethnic Azerbaijanis living in Kazakhstan, but also by other citizens of the country who wish to study the Azerbaijani language, history, and culture.
Taking into account the interest from residents of other regions of Kazakhstan, the training will be organized both in person and online.
All classes will be free of charge and will be held on Sundays.
After the official part, the first school bell rang and the first lesson took place. The event concluded with a traditional tea party with Azerbaijani sweets.
