On February 13, a mini-lecture by Gulnaz Ospanova took place at the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography as part of Science Café. Gulnaz was selected as the Chair of the Student Scientific Society, and to introduce herself, she decided to launch a series of lectures titled “The Story of One Painting”. The first artwork she chose for discussion was “Kazakh Waltz” by Gulfarus Ismailova.

This painting is a portrait of Shara Zhyenkulova, an outstanding dancer and People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR. During her lecture, Gulnaz spoke about the artist’s biography, painting style, color combinations, and compositional choices. The audience had the opportunity to examine the painting up close, allowing them to appreciate the smooth transitions of colors, the texture of fabrics, and the delicate expression of the ballerina’s face.

The event was attended by faculty members, staff, and students of the Academy, many of whom noted that the atmosphere felt like an art gallery tour. Gulnaz’s ability to present information clearly, her expressive speech, and pleasant voice left a strong impression on the listeners.

"Kazakh Waltz" has been part of the Academy’s space for several years now. This is the original painting created by the artist, but it was based on her first version of the drawing. The artwork in the Academy is life-sized and displayed in the corridor, where students and faculty see it daily. However, viewing it up close reveals an entirely new perspective, allowing for a deeper understanding of the artist’s technique and creative vision.

This mini-lecture helped participants explore the harmony between visual arts and choreography and to appreciate how national dance heritage is reflected in painting.