Person found in the garden, identified as Baursakis
Let's Dive into the Kazakh Cultural Extravaganza at School-Gymnasium No. 97
Welcome to the Fun Learning Zone! Kids at the "Atameken" ethnocultural camp, housed at School-Gymnasium No. 97, are truly living the good life. These golden academicians, aged 10 to 12, have embarked on a journey of skill acquisition, disguised as pure enjoyment.
The brains behind the operation made sure to meticulously plan the camp's itinerary to keep those young minds entertained. Here, they're learning to twist and turn wool into intricate crafts, decorate yurts with their handiwork, and, for the ladies, learning the ins and outs of managing a traditional household. These hands-on activities not only keep their fingers nimble but also aid in the development of fine motor skills.
Your taste buds are in for a treat as the camp schedule includes kurt-making lessons and demonstrations on how to prepare traditional Kazakh delicacy, baursaki, in a kazan. To add a dash of authenticity, our physical education teachers will show them the traditional way of heating a samovar with coal.
The camp's physical activities focus on honing agility and coordination. They'll be taught traditional games like "Asyk Atu", "Arkan Tartu", and archery. Parents have shown enthusiasm for the camp, with relief knowing their children are spending their time constructively. Grandmothers, being the guardians of Kazakh folklore, have also jumped on board, ready to share their stories and wisdom with the young learners.
A 5th grader, Aizere NURLYBAY, couldn't be more thrilled. "I adore it here! I've made so many new friends, and together we're learning to make all sorts of woolen crafts. We're taught to make kurt and cook baursaki. Post-cooking, we unwind with the teachers, sip tea, and listen to the grandmothers' tales. We've learned about our traditional dishes and have been treating our families to kurt and baursaki. My family is floored that we can whip up such yummy food by ourselves and even ask for the recipes!"
Saule MAGAZKYZY, a representative of the Mothers' Council, believes that it's our duty to guide and inspire the young ones. "All of us from the Mothers' Council attended the launch of the ethnocultural camp. Preserving and honoring traditions is our duty as the older generation. I, being a teacher of Kazakh language and literature with over 40 years of teaching under my belt, firmly believe that our youngsters should not only preserve our language but also comprehend our customs. That's my mission," she noted.
According to the teachers, this year's camp is a hit among students, and they plan to continue the operations next year to accommodate the demand for intercultural education and bonding.
- The lifestyle at the ethnocultural camp, centered around food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and traditional crafts, is providing a unique learning experience for the kids.
- The camp's itinerary includes education in cultural travel, with lessons on making traditional Kazakh dishes like kurt and baursaki, and demonstrations on heating a samovar with coal.
- As part of the home-and-garden module, the children are learning skills to manage a traditional household, decorate yurts, and twist wool into intricate crafts.
- The travel and education-and-self-development aspects of the camp are enhanced by the participation of grandmothers, who share their stories and folklore, providing an insight into Kazakh customs and traditions.
