From October 30 to November 2, the city of Semey is hosting the 26th International Festival-Competition of Tatar Art “Kozge Irtysh Mongnary” (“Autumn Irtysh Melodies”). This large-scale cultural event traditionally brings together talented performers, musicians, artists, and folk art masters from various regions of Kazakhstan, Tatarstan, and other countries.

The festival opened on October 30 with a master class titled “Relief Drawing from Sculptural Mixture”, conducted by Yermek Murumbaev, a teacher at the Tatar School of Arts.

On October 31, participants enjoyed a rich program: a sightseeing tour around Semey, visits to sites significant to Tatar culture, and the official opening ceremony held in the concert hall of Children’s Music School No. 1.

The main competition day took place on November 1. Participants competed in several categories: Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Artistic Word, and Dance Performance. On the same day, there were also engaging master classes — on Paper Plastic Art (by Asem Almabek) and Acting Skills (by Elmira Khisamutdinova, Honored Cultural Worker of Tatarstan).

On November 2, the festival continued with workshops on playing traditional Tatar instruments — the kurai and talyanka (led by Razil Gabbasov) — as well as on nontraditional painting with turmeric (by Asset Kuandykov). In the foyer of the City Palace of Culture, a crafts fair opened, where guests could purchase handmade items created by folk artisans.

The festival concluded with a grand gala concert and an awards ceremony, after which the participants returned home, taking with them inspiration, new creative ideas, and warm memories of hospitable Semey.

The “Kozge Irtysh Mongnary” Festival remains a vivid example of preserving and promoting Tatar culture, uniting generations and nations in an atmosphere of friendship, creativity, and music.