Petrochemistry and oil refining
PetroKazakhstan in Support of Kazakhstan❜s Culture
A long-time partner of the company, the Almaty Choreographic School, named after Alexander Seleznev, celebrates its 90th anniversary.
A long-standing partnership connects the oldest educational institution in Kazakhstan, the Almaty Choreographic School named after A. Seleznev, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and PetroKazakhstan.
The company has supported the creative team of the choreographic school since 2008. Over the years of fruitful cooperation, numerous joint projects have been implemented, both in the creative field and in addressing the school’s organizational and administrative issues related to its improvement, infrastructure support, and more.
Last year, PetroKazakhstan invited young artists to perform at a gala concert in Beijing dedicated to the "10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative" and the "30th anniversary of CNPC’s entry into the international market." As is well known, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is one of the shareholders of the PetroKazakhstan group of companies.
Sixteen students from the school presented the audience with the choreographic piece “Turan Dala – Kyran Dala,” based on the legends and myths of the Kazakh people. The young artists successfully performed on the big stage and visited the most famous landmarks of China’s capital.
Opened in 1934, the school has become a training ground for professional performers of choreographic art for the ballet troupes of the Abay National State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the State Academic Dance Theatre of Kazakhstan under the leadership of B. Ayukhanov, the Astana Ballet State Theatre, the Astana Opera State Opera and Ballet Theatre, the folk dance ensembles Saltanat, Altynai, Naz, Shalkyma, and many others.
Over the years, the school’s teachers have trained about two thousand graduates, including 10 People’s Artists, more than 50 Honored Artists, and Honored Workers of Kazakhstan, Russia, and Tatarstan.
Since 1988, the choreographic school has been named after the People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR, Alexander Vladimirovich Seleznev, who led the school for two decades. The famous choreographer and teacher inspired with his dedication and passion for art and honed the skills of young dancers with strict discipline, among them People's Artists of the Kazakh SSR Dauren Abirov, Sara Kusherbayeva, Bulat Ayukhanov, and other outstanding artists.
As part of the school’s 90th anniversary, the sixth International Ballet Art Festival “Orleu” was held, featuring over 100 young artists from seven countries.
"For us, this anniversary is not only a cause for pride but also an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage and contribution of the Almaty Choreographic School named after A. Seleznev to the development of ballet art not only in Kazakhstan but also beyond its borders," says the Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the school’s director Murat Tukeev.
"We are celebrating not only 90 years of our school but also the 90th anniversary of our ballet theatre. There can be no theatre without a school. It is its mind and heart. The entire history of Kazakhstani ballet can serve as an example of this," says the school’s artistic director, Honored Artist of the Kazakh SSR, Honored Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Lyudmila Li.
At the end of April this year, a meeting was held within the walls of the legendary school, with the participation of the Consul General of China in Almaty, Ms. Jiang Wei, the President of CNPC in Central Asia and Russia, Mr. Bian Dezhi, and the management of PetroKazakhstan. The parties exchanged greetings and discussed further cooperation in supporting Kazakhstan's arts and culture.
The guests were treated to a concert by the school’s students, showcasing their skills and talents. At the end of the concert, Consul General Ms. Jiang Wei expressed admiration for the level of preparation of the students and hoped for further cultural exchange between China and Kazakhstan. During the visit, the distinguished guests also had the opportunity to interact with the students and faculty, asking questions about the training process and the development of choreographic art in Kazakhstan.