Every success of the Academy is the result of the work of many people whose efforts remain behind the scenes — yet without whom not a single day here would be possible. One of them is our carpenter, Kairat Lukpan. His hands build and maintain the very space where dance, inspiration, and art are born. Thanks to people like him, the Academy remains a living organism — where beauty is created not only in movement, but in every nail, board, and detail.

— What does being a craftsman mean personally to you?

Kairat: Being a true craftsman is a great honor. But to earn that title, you must genuinely love your work and know it inside out. Mastery demands hard work. And it’s not for you to declare yourself a master—it’s those you support who must affirm that of you. They see your work and then say, “Now that is a real master!”

— How did you come to work at the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography?

Kairat: It happened by chance. I’d been working as a safety engineer for a construction company—until it went under. The Academy posted an opening for a carpenter, and I applied. Since then, I think the administration has had no regrets.

— What are the special challenges of carpentry within a creative, cultural environment?

Kairat: Carpentry always requires imaginative thinking and a creative approach. I’ve spent many years among creative people—working in TV, hosting concerts—so I feel at home here. I’m glad to support future stars: repairing their furniture, doors, windows. This is my small contribution to their journey.

— What do you enjoy most about your work? What is challenging?

Kairat: I especially love restoring furniture. When a repair succeeds, the reward is immense. It’s precise, painstaking work. As they say, destroying is easy—building takes effort. I urge students to treat things carefully. Furniture can be fixed—but human destiny is much harder. When a restoration is flawless, people say, “It’s as if it was never broken.” But we see every micro‑crack. That’s the subtlety of the craft.

— Is your role more about creativity or technique?

Kairat: It all depends on your attitude. Some see carpentry as just hard labor—and it can be. But if you approach it creatively, with soul and skill, it becomes lighter and more rewarding. And when you’re surrounded by kindness—it’s even more fulfilling.

— Is there a moment in your profession you remember particularly fondly?

Kairat: Yes—I once was walking up the stairs at my home and saw next to a neighbor’s door some good chairs, but broken. Days passed and they remained. I fetched my tools and fixed them. My neighbors were so happy. Moments like that stay with you. You just need to do good for people.

— What are your goals or dreams for the future?

Kairat: I recently completed a bust of the great poet and philosopher Abay Kunanbayev. I plan to gift one to a school named after Abay in East Kazakhstan, and another to my own school in the village of Boran in the Marqakol District.

And my dream is simple: to keep doing good for people. That’s the purpose.

Article by Tomiris Bekmurzina