Last week, a delegation of cultural workers of Turkmenistan went on a trip to Aktau, the capital of Mangistau Region, the Republic of Kazakhstan. It consisted of well-known artists, “Dagdan” folk group from Balkan velayat, pupils of the Ashgabat Children’s Art School and students of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan. The visit to the fraternal country was organized by the Consulate of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Culture of our country in cooperation with the host country. The cultural action was held in the framework of the program of activities dedicated to the Year of Neutrality and Peace, which is widely celebrated in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are linked by the common deep roots of national cultures, the history, and language, long-term friendly relations, based on mutually beneficial cooperation, trust and understanding. All of these found confirmation during the visit of the Turkmen delegation to the neighboring country, beginning with a welcome reception on the Turkmen-Kazakh border, organized by the administration and public organizations of the Kazakh border town of Zhan Uzen on April 27. Mayor S. Turumov, Chairman of the Local Council of Elders, Director General of “Uzenmunaigas” Oil and Gas Company and others made welcoming speeches in honor of the envoys of Turkmenistan. On the second day, the delegation of Turkmenistan visited the Koshkar-Ata Necropolis, located in Tubkaragan district near the village of Akshukur. Saints, many of whom had come from the Turkmen land were buried there. While on the get-acquainted excursion, our delegation visited the administrative center of Tubkaragan district – Fort-Shevchenko and the sea port of Bautino. They became familiar with the modern history of exploration of hydrocarbon fields in the Caspian Sea (Kazak Sector) and the mainland, production infrastructure and specialized fleet. On April 29, an exhibition of children’s drawings “I vote for Peace” was held in the foyer of the Aktau State Music and Drama Theatre named after Nurmakhan Zhanturin. It was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality and the Year of Neutrality and Peace, announced in our country. Children from secondary schools and art schools of Turkmenistan, Mangistau and Atyrau Regions of Kazakhstan took part in the exhibition. Besides, an out-of-competition exposition of paintings by young Turkmen artists (students of the Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan) was organized. From the Turkmen side, winners of the international competition of children’s drawings “I vote for Peace” from the Turkmen side were students of the Ashgabat Art School – M. Muradov, who won second place in the senior group, and A. Kuliev – a winner of the Audience Choice Award in the individual age groups. The student of secondary school # 3 of the city of Aktau E. Konysbaev was awarded a grand prize. The winners of the international children’s drawing competition were presented with diplomas of the Consulate of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan and valuable gifts from the akimat of Mangystau Region. The administration of Aktau city and Mangistau Region and khyakim of Balkan velayat B. Hojamammedov attended the award ceremony. That day a joint concert of creative groups of Turkmenistan and Mangistau Region on the stage of the Music and Drama Theatre named after N. Zhanturin was a continuation of the cultural activities. People’s artists of Turkmenistan, singer A. Mamedova from Balkan velayat and Ashgabat bakhshi P. Hamidov perfomed with great success. The performance of a teacher of the Turkmen National Conservatory A. Seitkulieva and soloist of the Murat Oskimbaev Philharmonic Society of Mangistau Region Sh. Saparova, accompanied by Kazakh maestro, laureate of international competitions, pianist E. Begendikov, received an ovation. The highlight of the concert was the fiery Turkmen dance “Kushtdepti”, performed by Balkan and Mangistau dancers to the applause of the spectators. The visit of the Turkmen delegation coincided with the inauguration of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev – the leader of the Kazakh nation, who like President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, pursues the open door policy, consolidating peace and harmony between peoples in the region. The humanitarian action of Balkan velayat in Mangistau Region was held under the sign of the Year of Neutrality and Peace announced in Turkmenistan, and on the threshold of the 20th anniversary of the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan, the national holiday – Unity Day and the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. Cultural exchanges between the two brotherly countries, which share not only geographical boundaries, but also spiritual affinity, expand from year to year thanks to the constructive policy of the leaders of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. The construction of the “North-South” transnational railway serves as clear evidence. The operation of the steel artery as the shortest route for European transit goods to the countries of the Middle East will promote economic expansion and growth in prosperity of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and their neighboring countries. On April 30, the Turkmen delegation from Aktau arrived in the city of Zhan Uzen, where the Turkmen creative team consisting of artists from the capital and the “Dagdan” folk ensemble of the Turkmenbashi Refinery Complex gave a big concert. On May 1, the Turkmen delegation participated in the festive event devoted to Unity Day of the peoples of Kazakhstan.