VII International Cultural and Educational Forum “Children of the Commonwealth” Completed

The Forum took place under the motto “Common history – common destiny” in Cholpon-Ata in the Kyrgyz Republic from 26 June to 5 July. During nine days, schoolchildren from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Uzbekistan took part in a meeting with Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Talant Mamytov, introduced peers from other countries to the culture, traditions and folk crafts of their countries, gained new knowledge in master classes, creative workshops, quizzes, etc.

The closing ceremony of the VII International Cultural and Educational Forum “Children of the Commonwealth” took place on the evening of 4 July. The participants prepared a large concert program. Each delegation presented a national presentation, in addition, schoolchildren sang several songs together.

A large fire on the chore of Issyk-Kul traditionally crowned the ceremony. Children circled around the fire in the national dances of the CIS countries.

Within the framework of the Forum, a «national week» took place. Each day was devoted to one country, and schoolchildren got acquainted with its history, geography, economy, culture and traditions. This topic was one of the key focuses in the program because the Forum took place in the Year of Folk Art and Cultural Heritage. Master classes and an exhibition were devoted to folk art, schoolchildren exchanged handmade presents.

Thus, children from Belarus gave to the peers wooden medallions with national symbols made in the school workshop — on one side it was necessary to write a personal wish to the best friend found at the Forum and give him a souvenir.

There were also prepared master classes for the students, the main topics of which were volunteering, tourism and culture, quizzes and creative tasks.

Schoolchildren from the Commonwealth were able to communicate with Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Talant Mamytov, who attended the Forum on Sunday, 3 July. Each delegation got an opportunity to ask a question to the Speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament.

Member of the Jogorku Kenesh Iskender Matraimov, member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Republic of Belarus Denis Karas, Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy and Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – Plenipotentiary Representative of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurbek Satvaldiev also welcomed the students.

The IPA CIS and the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund co-organized the event.

The next Forum “Children of the Commonwealth” is planned to be held in Uzbekistan.

The work of the Forum is reflected in the telegram channel Children of the Commonwealth 2022.