Scientists of the Department of Political Science Held Research Meetings in Omsk on National Identity

Associate Professors of the Department of Political Science at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Tengesh Serikbayevna Kalenova and Gauhar Satybaldievna Abdrakhmanova, as part of the program-targeted funding under research project BR28713029, “The Study of the Social Role of Folk Art in the Formation of Modern National Identity: Transformation and Reconstruction of Spiritual Culture,” were on a research visit to Omsk (Russian Federation) from February 9 to 19, 2026.

The visit was organized at the invitation of the Siberian Branch of the D.S. Likhachev Russian Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage and was aimed at implementing the objectives of the project.

During the visit, joint research consultations were held with the Institute’s scholars, and an exchange of views took place on issues of national identity, the social potential of folk art, and the transformation of spiritual culture. In addition, meetings were conducted with representatives of regional research and educational institutions in order to expand academic cooperation.

In particular, a meeting was held with faculty members and students of the branch of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, opened on the basis of Dostoevsky Omsk State University. The KazNU branch in Omsk is the official representative office of the university, opened in November 2024 with the participation of the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Russia.

For the first time in the Russian Federation, a branch of a Kazakhstani higher education institution has begun operating, providing young people with the opportunity to receive education under programs developed in accordance with modern standards and relevant academic fields. Training is conducted in the programs “International Law,” “Philology,” “Customs Affairs,” and “Kazakh Language and Literature.”

The educational process involves experienced Kazakhstani and Russian professors and leading scholars. Instruction is delivered in Kazakh, Russian, and English. Upon completion of the four-year program, graduates receive a diploma that meets international standards.

During the visit, the Project Leader, Associate Professor Tengesh Serikbayevna Kalenova, and the Chief Researcher, Associate Professor Gauhar Satybaldievna Abdrakhmanova, also met with representatives of the organization “Omsk Kazakhs,” within the framework of which joint research activities were carried out.

The organization “Kazakhs of Omsk” was established in 2008 and officially registered with the Ministry of Justice as a regional public organization in 2014. Since then, it has been actively working in the Omsk region to preserve and strengthen interethnic and interfaith peace and harmony, promote Kazakh culture, preserve national traditions, and foster patriotic education among youth based on the values of the multinational Russian society.

Since 2014, the organization has published a monthly cultural and educational newspaper “Omby Kazaktary” (“Kazakhs of Omsk”), distributed by subscription among residents of 21 districts of the Omsk region. The newspaper covers events taking place within the Kazakh community of Russia and in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The organization includes several creative groups: the “Turan” Dance Theater, the children’s vocal studio “Arai,” the adult vocal group “Ak Saulem,” and the dombra studio “Miras.” The “Turan” Dance Theater has been operating since September 1, 2019. The dance ensemble regularly participates in regional and city events and has received numerous certificates and awards, including prizes at international creative competitions held in Omsk, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Anapa, Pavlodar, Borovoye, and Astana (Kazakhstan). The vocal groups and the dombra studio, operating since autumn 2022, teach children and adults traditional and pop Kazakh singing, as well as traditional dombra performance.

Since 2015, the Kazakh Language Club “Ana Tili” has been operating within the organization. As part of cooperation in 2017, free language courses for 50 participants were organized in Omsk by the Department for Language Development of the Pavlodar Region. Currently, Kazakh language courses operate at four venues; monthly speaking meetings are held, and the launch of online courses is planned. A working group of Kazakh language teachers has been formed to promote the native language in regional schools. At present, Kazakh language centers operate in five municipal districts of the Omsk region, and local schools offer the native language as a subject. Owing to the organization’s active efforts, Kazakh language instruction has also been introduced in two urban schools in Omsk — Secondary School No. 100 and Secondary School No. 130.

The organization also runs the family board games platform “Oynateka,” where participants can play board games from different countries, including traditional Kazakh games. One of the key areas of activity is engaging active youth in socially significant projects implemented in Omsk — monoethnic and interethnic, family-oriented and youth-focused initiatives at the city, regional, and interregional levels.

Since 2015, the Regional Public Organization “Kazakhs of Omsk,” jointly with the Regional Public Organization “Tamasha,” has annually held the Siberian Festival “Cultural Kaleidoscope,” aimed at developing and harmonizing interethnic relations in the Siberian region.

In May 2018, Kuanysh Zholdasbekovich Eleutayev assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of the Regional Public Organization “Kazakhs of Omsk.” In December 2018, he was awarded a medal for his contribution to the development of the Omsk region.