Kazakhstan – 2025

Kazakhstan’s leading theatre venue has been transformed by an enchanting festive energy as fairytale characters, drawn by children, take pride of place amidst its marble staircases and gilded stuccowork. On 20 December, the Astana Opera successfully launched the We Are the World International Children’s Art Exhibition, marking the second time the opera house has hosted this event. 

The exhibition is a vibrant celebration of creativity, bringing together within the Astana Opera’s grand interior aspiring artists from its own theatrical crafts studio alongside talented children from across Kazakhstan and the world. Since its inception in 2018, the We Are the World project has grown into a global initiative, connecting young creators from 60 countries and providing a platform at some of the world’s most renowned venues – from the Louvre in Paris and the White Cube in London to the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow. 

This year, exhibition coordinator Irina Kusenova invited participants to explore a theatrical theme, sparking a wave of inspiration. Ahead of the opera house’s performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, the quintessential New Year’s ballet, the courageous protagonist has emerged as the central figure in many of the works. Toy soldiers, fairies, Mouse Kings and shimmering Christmas trees drawn by young artists filled the hall, adding to the festive excitement. A concert, prepared by the choir and ballet of the Astana Opera Children’s Studio, has also taken place at the Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall.

“It is a great honour to return to Astana. I am sincerely grateful to the management of Astana Opera for inviting us to host our second exhibition here. This is a significant event: during the festive season, Astana Opera radiates a unique prestige and beauty, fostering a festive atmosphere that is particularly magical for children. For young participants, showcasing their work on such a renowned stage and receiving a diploma is a major achievement. We have long-standing partnerships with art schools and studios across Astana and throughout Kazakhstan. Our young artists take part in exhibitions worldwide, including in London, Paris, Los Angeles and Beijing. Every country has its own artistic tradition, which is clearly reflected in the entries. In the work of Kazakh children, one can particularly see openness, creativity and a genuine love for their country.

This year’s exhibition focused on two themes: Peace and The Nutcracker. Under the theme of Peace, children explored culture and tradition, depicting national costumes, Kazakhstan’s landscapes, the flag and other state symbols. In The Nutcracker, it is evident how deeply the participants immersed themselves in the fairytale atmosphere. These works demonstrate that a remarkable new generation is emerging – one that is compassionate, vibrant, and free-spirited,” said Stéphanie Gaspard, founder of the project and president of the cultural diplomacy association We Are the World.

Organisers emphasised that We Are the World is a significant project designed to foster intercultural ties, encourage self-expression and build confidence in children. Participating in such high-level exhibitions provides a substantial boost to a child’s creative portfolio, offering a competitive edge for future applications to leading universities. 

“The standard of the competition improves every year – a sentiment shared by all our international jury members. While we recognize that these are child participants across various age categories, the overall quality of the work is consistently rising. This year, the jury included eight experts utilizing a digital evaluation system, ensuring an objective and efficient review of all entries. For the second time, Renat Yelubayev served as the jury chair in Astana, following his work with our exhibitions in Los Angeles and Beijing. The panel featured specialists from Kazakhstan, Taiwan, Indonesia and many other countries. We cannot predict the future career paths of these children, but we are certain that participating in international exhibitions provides invaluable experience and opportunity. Since 2018, we have held over 30 events involving children from more than 60 countries. Our mission is to provide youth with a gateway to international cultural platforms, allowing them to represent themselves and their countries on a global level,” Stéphanie Gaspard concluded.

The children’s masterpieces were on display in the Astana Opera’s Marble Hall on Saturday 20 December. The project’s global tour continues with upcoming stops in Thailand, Singapore and Italy, before returning to Paris, France, in December 2026.