Kazakhstan’s The Planet of Art – 2025 Festival to Honor Cultural Icons and Promote Global Artistic Exchange

International Youth Festival The Planet of Art – 2025 Opens for Applications, Fostering Global Creative Collaboration

On March 20, 2025, the music segment of the International Youth Festival, "The Planet of Art – 2025," commenced, showcasing Kazakhstan's leadership in the World Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO. The festival seeks to empower creative youth, embrace cultural diversity, and strengthen global friendships through art, all while promoting the concept of a “culture of peace.” This initiative is closely tied to the goals of the "Pact for the Future," a framework adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2024. Moreover, it celebrates the remarkable contributions of cultural icons such as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (125th anniversary), Maya Plisetskaya (100th anniversary), Abai Qunanbaiuly (180th anniversary), and Nurgisa Tlendiyev (100th anniversary), whose legacies continue to enrich global culture.

Organised in collaboration with the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory and the Republican Educational and Methodological Center of Additional Education, the festival enjoys the support of various Kazakh governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the event is backed by regional Akimats, the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty, and UNESCO Clubs in Kazakhstan, alongside partners from participating nations.

Open to young talents aged 12 to 18 from UNESCO member states with active UNESCO Clubs and Associations, the festival offers participants an opportunity to showcase their abilities in vocal, instrumental, and choreographic performances. By inspiring creative development, the event aims to foster peace and harmony through artistic expression. "The Planet of Art – 2025" also emphasises contemporary renditions of works by Kazakh composers and choreographers, facilitating a vibrant exchange of cultural ideas. This platform supports the growth of young talents while enabling participants to serve as ambassadors of peace and cultural diversity.

Applications for participation will remain open until May 11, 2025. The selection process involves two phases: an initial online screening followed by an offline round for pre-selected participants from Kazakhstan. Finalists will proceed to the culminating event in Kazakhstan, where they will engage in an educational and cultural program guided by prominent educators and artists. The festival's grand finale will feature a gala concert, complete with an official awards ceremony in Almaty. This event will harmonise global musical culture with works by national composers, presented through a single theatrical program. A standout highlight of the evening will be the revival of a live symphony orchestra tradition, accompanying the gala concert. Overall, "The Planet of Art – 2025" is a remarkable celebration of youth talent and cultural exchange, reinforcing the values of peace and global unity through art.

Editor's Note

The Planet of Art – 2025 marks a significant cultural initiative, bringing together young artists from UNESCO member states to showcase their talents and foster international cooperation through the universal language of art. This festival highlights Kazakhstan’s role as a global leader in cultural exchange and serves as a platform for young creatives to represent their countries as ambassadors of peace. By focusing on contemporary interpretations of Kazakh composers and choreographers, the festival creates avenues for a vibrant exchange of cultural ideas and practices, encouraging participants to broaden their creative horizons.

According to Skoobuzz, the event’s emphasis on diverse cultural expressions and its alignment with global peace initiatives underscore Kazakhstan’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity, unity, and mutual respect. As the event draws closer, it offers young talents not only the chance to perform but also to engage in meaningful educational and cultural exchanges.