Kazakhstan to Showcase Cultural Heritage at 2027 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Kazakhstan is preparing to participate in the 2027 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where it will present its cultural heritage, including traditions, music, and crafts. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Smithsonian Institution. Discussions regarding these preparations involved Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva, Smithsonian Institution Festival Curator, Rebecca Fenton, and Southwest Folklife Alliance Co-Founder, Bryan Rafael Falcon. The collaboration aims to move beyond individual cultural exchanges towards long-term projects, building on previous proposals by Kazakhstan to expand bilateral cultural exchanges and host U.S. Culture Days within the country. Additionally, plans include the participation of Kazakhstan’s ethno-folk group HasSak in a festival in Tucson and a concert in Washington. 
