Voices of Friends–2025: A New Stage in Eurasian Cultural Diplomacy

(MENAFNEditorial) Cultural dialogue, creative cooperation, and intellectual connectivity across the Eurasian continent reached a new milestone in 2025. Held from November 29 to December 2 in the Kazakh resort hub of Burabay, the 5th Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art festival has strengthened its position as one of the region’s most influential cultural diplomacy platforms. Initiated by the Eurasian Creative Guild (London), the festival has rapidly evolved into a bridge linking the diverse artistic traditions of Eurasian nations.

A Platform Bringing Together Eurasia’s Creative Elite

This year’s festival gathered more than 70 writers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and intellectuals from 20 countries. Beyond promoting literature and art, the event aimed to shape a shared cultural space in Eurasia and bring emerging creative talents into the international spotlight.

The Cinema Future youth film festival, an integral part of the program, showcased ECG’s commitment to supporting the next generation of media creators. Young directors from Kazakhstan, the United States, South Korea, China, and Uzbekistan took top prizes, reflecting the growing diversity and dynamism of Eurasian cinema.

The Burabay International Short Film Festival (BISFF) featured works from directors representing nine countries, including Russia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Germany, China, the USA, Tunisia, and Argentina. The variety of documentary films, social dramas, music videos, and screenplays demonstrated BISFF’s rising influence as an important filmmaking platform in Eurasia.

Turkic World Cultural Diplomacy: TURKSOY’s Participation and Awards

A major highlight of the festival was the participation of Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY. He awarded ECG founder Marat Akhmedjanov a special medal for his contribution to promoting Turkic culture. Raev himself received the Jonathan Fryer Medal for outstanding achievements in strengthening Eurasian cultural cooperation on the international stage.

These recognitions underscored the festival’s growing role in cultural diplomacy — Voices of Friends is no longer just an artistic gathering but a strategic platform that reinforces soft-power connections across Eurasian nations.

Eurasian Literature and Intellectual Content: Publications of 2025–2026

A major segment of the festival was dedicated to the presentation of new books published or to be published by Hertfordshire Press. The lineup included:

Works by Open Eurasia–2024 winners — Anna Garib, Elena Makarova, and Tatyana Linchik;

New literary series by Gulchekhra-begim Makhmudova focusing on the heritage of the Silk Road;

A trilingual poetry collection by Ganjina Shamsullo;

The poetry anthologies Imprisoned Souls and Storm Door, showcasing contemporary Eurasian poets.

Upcoming 2026 releases — including the Voices of Friends Almanac, The Great Steppe Treasury Art Catalogue, and the short fiction anthology Thread — highlight continuous efforts to bring Eurasian artistic voices to the global publishing arena.

ECG’s 10th Anniversary: Recognition of a Growing Creative Community

For the first time, the festival presented the ECG (London) 10th Anniversary Medal, celebrating long-time members who have supported the Guild since its early days. Award recipients represented Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Bashkortostan, Uzbekistan, and the United Kingdom.

Additionally, the results of the 2026 ECG (London) governing body elections were announced: British actress Francesca Mepham was elected Chairperson of the Guild, with Saltanat Khamzeyeva (Kazakhstan) becoming Vice Chairperson.

Conclusion: A Strategic Contribution to Eurasian Cultural Integration

The 5th Voices of Friends festival further solidified its role as a new model of cultural cooperation in Eurasia. It:

promoted young filmmakers through international competitions;

unified global literary and artistic initiatives;

reinforced cultural diplomacy among Turkic and Eurasian nations;

and showcased the creative potential of the region to a wider global audience.

The festival’s outcomes demonstrate that cultural integration across Eurasia is steadily expanding through creativity, literature, and art. Voices of Friends continues to establish itself as a central platform in this evolving landscape.

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