Children play assyk aty at a village street.\nKazakh traditional Assyk games are an ancient tradition in Kazakhstan. Each player has their own set of ‘Assyks’, traditionally made out of the talus bone of a sheep, and a ‘Saka’ dyed in bright colours. Players use their Assyk to knock out other Assyks from the field, and the focus is on the position of the bone. The community concerned comprises most of the population of Kazakhstan, including members of the Federation ‘Assyk Atu’ Game as well as the larger community of practitioners, mainly children aged between four and eighteen. The element is an outdoor activity that helps develop children’s analytical thinking and physical state, fostering friendship and social inclusiveness. It is also a good model for positive collaboration, uniting people regardless of their age, ethnic background or religious affiliation. It is widely practised at festive celebrations and gatherings, and the community plays a key role in safeguarding the practice, as well as in popularizing it among other ethnic groups in Kazakhstan, turning it into a national symbol of childhood. It is transmitted from older boys to younger ones through observation, as well as through radio and TV documentaries aimed at encouraging children to play Assyk and acquainting people with their cultural heritage.

The festival is held in early April, once in 2 years, in order to widely familiarize the public with unique samples of Uzbek national art of bakhshi narrators, increase youth’s respect and interest in this type of art, strengthen the friendship of fraternal people, expand creative ties and cultural cooperation internationally. The skills of foreign and local contestants are judged by a jury consisting of foreign and local experts. The art of bakhshi, praising the lofty ideals of humanism, such eternal values as peace and friendship, kindness and justice, is one of the most ancient types of oral folk art. And therefore, from time immemorial, throughout the world, storytellers, bakhshi, akyns, and zhivovs have been revered as noble exponents of the soul of the people, uniting different countries and nations with their art.

The festival is held in early April, once in 2 years, in order to widely familiarize the public with unique samples of Uzbek national art of bakhshi narrators, increase youth’s respect and interest in this type of art, strengthen the friendship of fraternal people, expand creative ties and cultural cooperation internationally. The skills of foreign and local contestants are judged by a jury consisting of foreign and local experts. The art of bakhshi, praising the lofty ideals of humanism, such eternal values as peace and friendship, kindness and justice, is one of the most ancient types of oral folk art. And therefore, from time immemorial, throughout the world, storytellers, bakhshi, akyns, and zhivovs have been revered as noble exponents of the soul of the people, uniting different countries and nations with their art.

The festival is held in early April, once in 2 years, in order to widely familiarize the public with unique samples of Uzbek national art of bakhshi narrators, increase youth’s respect and interest in this type of art, strengthen the friendship of fraternal people, expand creative ties and cultural cooperation internationally. The skills of foreign and local contestants are judged by a jury consisting of foreign and local experts. The art of bakhshi, praising the lofty ideals of humanism, such eternal values as peace and friendship, kindness and justice, is one of the most ancient types of oral folk art. And therefore, from time immemorial, throughout the world, storytellers, bakhshi, akyns, and zhivovs have been revered as noble exponents of the soul of the people, uniting different countries and nations with their art.

The festival is held in early April, once in 2 years, in order to widely familiarize the public with unique samples of Uzbek national art of bakhshi narrators, increase youth’s respect and interest in this type of art, strengthen the friendship of fraternal people, expand creative ties and cultural cooperation internationally. The skills of foreign and local contestants are judged by a jury consisting of foreign and local experts. The art of bakhshi, praising the lofty ideals of humanism, such eternal values as peace and friendship, kindness and justice, is one of the most ancient types of oral folk art. And therefore, from time immemorial, throughout the world, storytellers, bakhshi, akyns, and zhivovs have been revered as noble exponents of the soul of the people, uniting different countries and nations with their art.

National Students' Contest at the Gumilev's University (Astana, Kazakhstan) – introduction of contest participants.\nAitys is a contest centred on improvised oral poetry spoken or sung to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments – the Kazakh dombra. Two performers (akyns) compete with one other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections. During the competition, the performers sit opposite one another improvising a dialogue on topics chosen by the audience. The winner is the performer considered to have demonstrated the best musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit. The most meaningful and witty expressions often become popular sayings. The element is practised on a variety of occasions, ranging from local festivities to nationwide events, where practitioners often use the contest to raise important social issues. Although it was traditionally performed only by men, many women now participate in Aitys and use the contest to express women’s aspirations and viewpoints.

National Students' Contest at the Gumilev's University (Astana, Kazakhstan) – introduction of contest participants.\nAitys is a contest centred on improvised oral poetry spoken or sung to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments – the Kazakh dombra. Two performers (akyns) compete with one other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections. During the competition, the performers sit opposite one another improvising a dialogue on topics chosen by the audience. The winner is the performer considered to have demonstrated the best musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit. The most meaningful and witty expressions often become popular sayings. The element is practised on a variety of occasions, ranging from local festivities to nationwide events, where practitioners often use the contest to raise important social issues. Although it was traditionally performed only by men, many women now participate in Aitys and use the contest to express women’s aspirations and viewpoints.

National contest on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independence. Voting of Jury members\nAitys is a contest centred on improvised oral poetry spoken or sung to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments – the Kazakh dombra. Two performers (akyns) compete with one other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections. During the competition, the performers sit opposite one another improvising a dialogue on topics chosen by the audience. The winner is the performer considered to have demonstrated the best musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit. The most meaningful and witty expressions often become popular sayings. The element is practised on a variety of occasions, ranging from local festivities to nationwide events, where practitioners often use the contest to raise important social issues. Although it was traditionally performed only by men, many women now participate in Aitys and use the contest to express women’s aspirations and viewpoints.\n