Cultural Club
One day, our team decided to form a cultural club with the aim of creating a community where both locals and foreigners could come together to explore the rich heritage of the region. They called it the "Cultural Club", inspired by the idea of preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
Nauryz and Maslenitsa
The club's first event was a joint celebration of two important holidays in the region: Maslenitsa, a Russian holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and Nauryz, a Kazakh holiday that celebrates the spring equinox and the start of a new year.
The members of the club came together to organize a festival that showcased the unique customs and traditions of both cultures. They set up booths where people could learn how to make traditional Kazakh and Russian dishes, try on traditional clothing, and learn about the history and significance of the holidays.
The event was a huge success, drawing in not just expats but also local residents who were eager to learn about the cultures of their neighbors. It was clear that there was a strong desire for more events like this in the community.
New year
Our Cultural Club organized a New Year celebration that brought together both expats and local people to ring in the new year in a festive and fun way. The event took place in our school, and was open to everyone who wanted to join in on the celebration.
As guests arrived, they were greeted by the festive decorations and the sounds of traditional New Year's music. They were also welcomed by Father Frost and his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, who gave out gifts to all the guests.The guests were divided into two teams and participated in a variety of games and activities. They played a New Year's quiz, where they answered questions about local traditions and customs related to the holiday. They also played a game of charades, where they had to act out different New Year's-themed words and phrases.
In addition, there was a fortune-telling station where guests could learn about what the coming year had in store for them. This was a popular attraction, as many people were eager to find out what the future held.Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a variety of treats, including traditional holiday sweets and snacks. There were also drinks and refreshments available for everyone to enjoy.
The New Year celebration was a testament to the power of community and the importance of coming together to celebrate our shared traditions and values.
Russian cuisine
The Cultural Club organized an event to introduce expats to the delicious and diverse world of Russian cuisine. The event took place in our school, where guests were treated to a feast of traditional Russian dishes.
To make the event more interactive, the guests were invited to participate in a game where they would try to guess the name of each dish and its ingredients while being blindfolded. This was a fun way for the guests to experience Russian cuisine and learn about the different ingredients used in each dish.
As the guests sampled the different dishes, they compared them to the cuisine of their own countries and shared stories about the similarities and differences between the two. This led to lively conversations and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of food cultures around the world.
After the game, the guests shared their own traditional dishes with everyone else. This was a great opportunity for everyone to taste and learn about the different foods and flavors from around the world. The guests also exchanged stories, deepening their understanding of each other's cultures.
Russian wedding
Once we organized a Russian wedding event to showcase the rich cultural traditions of the Russian-speaking community. The event featured a full wedding ceremony, complete with a bride and groom, family members, and friends.
To make the event more authentic, Terra Education invited two friends, Mario and Marina, who had been happily married for many years, to play the roles of the bride and groom. They both looked stunning in their wedding outfits and enjoyed the attention and festivities.The other foreign students were also invited to participate in the wedding by playing the roles of family members and friends.
The wedding ceremony included all of the traditional elements of a Russian wedding, including a ransom for the bride, the civil wedding ceremony, the wedding cake, and various games for the guests to enjoy. The guests also had the opportunity to learn about the different traditions and customs associated with a Russian wedding, which helped to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the culture.
Throughout the ceremony, there was music, dancing, and plenty of delicious food and drinks for everyone to enjoy.
Soviet quest
Soviet quest was a unique event that gave foreigners a taste of life in the Soviet era. The event was called "Surviving in the Soviet Routine" and was designed to challenge participants to complete a series of tasks that simulated life in the Soviet Union.
Each participant was given a list of tasks to complete, which included getting ID documents, dealing with Soviet police, buying necessary items, and finding services. The participants were required to complete the tasks in a specific order, and they had to do so within a certain time frame. The challenges were designed to be difficult and simulate the hardships that people faced in the Soviet era, such as long lines, shortages of goods, and bureaucratic red tape.
The event was a unique opportunity for participants to experience what life was like in the Soviet era. It was a fun and engaging way to learn about history and to appreciate the challenges that people faced during that time.
Soviet women
The Terra team organized an event called "Soviet Ladies" to showcase the historical evolution of women in the Soviet era. The event was designed to highlight the challenges that women faced during this time, including repressions, war, and poverty, as well as to celebrate the strength, bravery, intelligence, and charm of Soviet women.
One of the highlights of the event was a scene from a Soviet communal apartment, which demonstrated the living conditions of women during that time. In addition, there was a small exhibition of Soviet-era artifacts, including vintage clothing, accessories, and other items that were popular among Soviet women. The event also included various challenges and activities that highlighted the struggles and hardships that Soviet women faced during this time.
The event provided an opportunity for people to learn about the unique challenges and achievements of Soviet women, and to appreciate the role they played in shaping Soviet society and culture.
Travel around the world
There was an interactive event that allowed participants to explore the culture and traditions of five different countries. The event was designed to be educational and engaging, with participants divided into two teams and "flying" to different countries throughout the course of the event.
To start the event, participants were seated in an area designed to look like an airplane, complete with cabin crew members dressed in traditional costumes of the five countries that would be visited. The first activity involved teams trying to guess different traditions from each country, with one team providing clues while the other team guessed.
Next, the participants played a game called "Which country am I from?", where participants had to guess the country of origin of different items such as food, clothing, and musical instruments. This game helped participants learn more about the unique features and characteristics of each country.
Another game involved drawing popular landmarks or sights from the five countries, with each team member drawing one aspect of the sight and then passing it onto the next person. The final participant had to identify the sight and name the country it belonged to.
Quiz Kazakh and Russian traditions
The cultural event was a quiz that tested the knowledge of two teams about Kazakh and Russian traditions. One of the highlights of the event was the performance of a Kazakh lady playing the dombra, a traditional Kazakh musical instrument. The dombra's melodic tones added to the festive atmosphere of the event and provided a glimpse into the rich musical heritage of Kazakhstan.
Throughout the quiz, the teams were asked a series of questions related to various aspects of Kazakh and Russian cultures, such as traditional food, clothing, music, dance, history, movies, literature and art. The teams enthusiastically answered the questions, showcasing their depth of knowledge and passion for their respective cultures.