Students from 6 countries participated in the III Student Congress for the Peoples of Central Asia

The event was organized by the Association of International Students (AIST). The participants included over 700 students from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China.

The 1st day of the congress was dedicated to ceremonial opening and celebrations. The international holiday started with the meeting of a spring lady, who is a symbol of Nowruz. Accompanied by ASU foreign students, she arrived in a decorated car and entered the main campus to Asian musical instruments accompaniment.

“It was Nazrikhudzha Saidaliyev, one of the leaders at AIST, who suggested presenting such character as spring lady at the holiday. It turned out to be one of the brightest moments of the congress opening. She impersonated beauty, femininity, blossom, spring, nature. By the way, her appearance was designed by the professionals of ASU Faculty of Arts. They freated the image of spring, prepared the dress, makeup and hairstyle for our lady,” noted member of organization committee Anton A. Tselevich.

Further the audience got a chance to see a unique performance. Foreign students of Altai State University had written a song about Nowruz and sang it for the public.

“Student Congress for the Peoples of Central Asia has already become a good tradition for Altai State University. International cooperation with Central Asian countries is one of the priority development directions for ASU. We were glad to receive the guests that attended the congress and hope the work was effective,” said Vice Rector for International Affairs Development Roman I. Raikin.

Goals and objectives of the III Student Congress for the Peoples of Central Asia were similar to those of the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students, which is to be held in Sochi in October 2017.

“Our congress has been attracting students from different countries for three years already. The interest is expressed not only by foreign students, but also by Russian students. They organized the event together and conducted it together,” summed up Anton A. Tselevich.

On the 2nd day students gathered in ASU Scientific Library to hold an international online conference. At the end of the congress the guests attended ethnic food tasting and Asian culture festival.

Ethnic food tasting has been a signature moment of the congress for several years. Foreign students did their best and everybody ate their fill. Even the most exacting food lovers could choose delicious and unusual ethnic dishes according to their preferences. Vegetables, fruit, qistibi, sweets from Kazakhstan, kattama from Kyrgyzstan, samosa, boortsog, chak-chak, ayran, angel wings, oromo, sushki and other appetizing foods were available for the guests to try.

It remains to be added that the congress was a success. It provided the participants with valuable information, new friends, delicious food and positive emotions.