Aidarsha Mereke Polatkyzy, a first-year doctoral student in the “8D01416 – Art Education, Graphics and Design” programme at the Faculty of Arts of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, participated in the Vostok International Festival held in France.

The international festival took place from 17 to 20 September 2026 at Le Moulin Jaune, a creative space located near Paris. Mereke Aidarsha was invited to represent Kazakhstan as a master of traditional textile arts and presented the country’s rich craft heritage to an international audience.

As part of the festival programme, the doctoral student conducted workshops on traditional Kazakh ak baskur weaving and shi mat weaving. She demonstrated the main stages involved in creating traditional items and introduced participants to practical weaving techniques and the distinctive features of Kazakh textile art.

Participation in this international event contributed to promoting Kazakhstan’s traditional arts and crafts within the global cultural community, exchanging professional experience, and developing international creative cooperation.