Culture

From 28 to 30 November 2024, the XIII Eurasian Creative Week took place in Greenock, Scotland. The event brought together artists, writers, poets, diplomats and creative figures from 15 countries: Canada, France, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Israel, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Scotland, England, Ukraine. The festival included exhibitions, book presentations, an award ceremony and a film screening.

Eurasian Creative Week opened on 28 November at Beacon Arts Centre, West Scotland’s main cultural centre. On that day, paintings from the art catalogue ’The Great Steppe Treasure’ by Maria Muchinskaya, Seidbek Atambayev, Polina Lakhtina, Shaizada Baikenova and Larisa Pak were presented, as well as works by Oksana Zhukova, Timur Akhmedjanov, Anna Gharib and Anastasia Kalinovskaya. The participants watched a video message from art curator Klavdia Kuvshinova, writer Alikhan Zhaksylyk and public figure Nurym Taybek.

In the evening there was an author’s meeting with ECG Guardian Alexander Kazarnovsky, who spoke about his art and read from his book ’War will show the plan’.

On 29 November, the cultural programme continued at the OYO Gin House Hotel. Guests enjoyed an art exhibition and author meetings. One of the most anticipated events was the presentation of books by Hertfordshire Press published between 2022 and 2024. Readers and participants were interested in the literary trends in Eurasia.

Editor Laura Hamilton and translator Anton Kovalenko presented a collection of novels and short stories ‘Zinziver’ by Viktor Slipenchuk.

The premiere of a unique film project was held - the first film created with the use of artificial intelligence technologies, based on Viktor Slipenchuk’s poem ‘Chingis-Khan’. The film screening became a bright event of the festival, aroused keen interest of the audience, inspiring them to think about the role of personality in history and modernity.

The festival featured new issues of OCA magazine, which was dedicated to Jizzakh, one of Uzbekistan’s fastest-growing regions. OCA People also celebrated its anniversary with a special edition featuring 40 outstanding personalities, including Natasha Hart HBE.

The main event on 29 November was the Hertfordshire Press Award, the Jonathan Fryer Medal and the Barbara Yurkowska-Nawrocka Medal. The ceremony honoured artists who have helped cultural exchange in the Eurasian region. Traditionally, the ceremony was held to support Eurasian Creative Guild projects for children with autism.

Hertfordshire Press Award Winners

Bestseller category for the novel ‘War will show the plan’, Kazarnovsky Alexander (Israel)

The Gold Certificate of Achievement in this category was awarded to Timur Akhmedjanov (Uzbekistan), a young artist originally from Uzbekistan, for the second volume of the charity comic book ‘Elish and the Wicker Tale’.

Critics’ Choice category for the collection of novels and short stories “Zinziver”, Viktor Slipenchuk (Russia). Translator Anton Kovalenko, who travelled to the festival from Toronto, received the award.

The Gold Certificate of Achievement in this category was awarded to the young writer Alikhan Zhaksylyk (Kazakhstan) for his novel ‘Is It Necessary to Worship at Notre Dame?’. The award was presented to Bruce Gaston, a journalist from France.

The Best Adaptation for Children’ category went to Gulchehra-begim Makhmudova (Uzbekistan) for the first book in the series of children’s stories "The Legends Of The Great Silk Road: Adventures Of The Spirit Of Time". Anna Lari, ECG Festival Director, received the statuette.

Gulsifat Shahidi (Tajikistan) won the Best Love Story category for her collection of works, Labyrinths of Loneliness. Her family member, who had travelled from Dushanbe, introduced her at the ceremony.

The poem ’Narqyz’ by Nurpeis Baiganin won the ’Best Epic’ category. The author’s grandson Yerbolat Baiganin, a famous Kazakh film producer, also took part in the ceremony.

Best Female Author’ category. for the collection of psychological fairy tales “Wise Tales For Children And Adults”, Marina Alyassova (Kazakhstan). It is noteworthy that the book was published as part of the Maria Shevel Award 2023, Marina won in the category ‘Children’s Literature’ of the literary contest ‘Open Eurasia’. The book was presented at the awards ceremony by editor and translator Jonathan Campion, who worked on the English-language adaptation of the work.

Hertfordshire Press would like to express special thanks to Margo Hamburgskaya (Uzbekistan) for making the award statuettes for the Hertfordshire Press Award ceremony.

Marta Brassart, Chairman of the Guild, presented the Medal after Barbara Jurkowska-Nawrocka to designer Alexandra Rey and artist Anastasia Kalinowska.

ECG Vice Chairman Marat Akhmedjanov presented the Jonathan Fryer Medal to public figure Farhod Tashtemirov and poet Oksana Zhukova.

The Belarusian Embassy in the UK supplemented the cultural programme by organising an exhibition and a gala reception. Guests were treated to traditional Belarusian dishes, and Dmitry Kozlovsky, Consul of the Republic of Belarus, gave an inspiring speech, noting the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening international ties and noting the Guild’s role in promoting the legacy of Arkady Kuleshov through the almanac ‘Voices of Friends’.

The evening ended with a celebratory dinner where participants were able to discuss their experiences and make new creative connections.

On 30 November, the last day of the event, a tour of the town of Greenock took place, participants were able to learn more about Scotland’s heritage and visited the Watt Institution Museum, which was a great opportunity to relax and be inspired before returning home.

There was also an exhibition of books and national art dedicated to the countries of Eurasia held throughout the VIII Eurasian Creative Week festival. The exhibition showcased works from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries in the region, offering a vibrant reflection of the cultural diversity and creative potential of Eurasia.

The 8th Eurasian Culture Week in Scotland was a great success and a big step forward in building cultural ties between countries in the region. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase creativity and exchange ideas and experiences, which will help to strengthen international cultural cooperation.

We’re already looking forward to the next one in Greenock in August 2025, when we’ll be hosting the 14th Open Eurasian Literature Festival & Book Forum.