Bread Festival «Omirdin zhyly nyshany. A Warm Symbol of Life»

On 16 October 2026, the traditional Bread Festival entitled«Omirdin zhyly nyshany. A Warm Symbol of Life»was held at the East Kazakhstan Regional Library for Children and Youth. The event aimed to foster respect for bread among children, familiarise them with the cultural traditions of different peoples, and cultivate a mindful and appreciative attitude towards the fruits of human labour. The festival programme was rich, engaging, and diverse. For instance, the interactive book exhibition«Kitaptagy nan hikayasy. The Story of Bread in Books»introduced participants to literature exploring bread, the traditions of breadmaking, and the distinctive methods of preparing baked goods among different peoples. The bread-making workshops captured the children’s genuine interest. At the«Living Invisible Worlds»activity station, participants not only learned about the properties of baker’s yeast but also took part in engaging educational experiments. At the«Pretzels and Brezels»workshop, participants learned how to shape buns and make pretzels, as well as how to decorate salt-dough creations using gouache and watercolour techniques. Particular attention should also be given to the workshops dedicated to giving products a second life, where children gained hands-on experience in reusing food products and learned the importance of treating bread with care and avoiding waste. The programme was further enriched by an interactive travelling exhibition entitled «Bread Is the Staff of Life», presented by the Ethnographic Museum. The festival concluded with a symbolic initiative called «A Warm Gift», which highlighted the significance of bread as a symbol of kindness, generosity, prosperity, and human unity. The Library extends its sincere gratitude to the team at BURABAI, Serikpayeva Individual Enterprise, for providing refreshments for the young festival participants. The festival helped broaden the children’s horizons, foster their creative abilities, and cultivate an interest in the history and cultural heritage of different peoples. The participants gained new insights into the significance of bread, explored traditional bread-making practices, and gained first-hand appreciation of the importance of reducing food waste and treating food resources responsibly. Event Outcomes: The festival brought together 120 children and became a significant cultural and educational event dedicated to preserving traditional values, encouraging the creative engagement of young readers, and fostering respect for bread as a symbol of life and prosperity.