On April 13, 2026, the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography launched Science Week 2026, a large-scale academic event bringing together researchers, educators, and young scholars from Kazakhstan and abroad. The first day of the forum became a space for a vibrant scholarly dialogue where tradition met modernity, and art intersected with digital technologies.

The day began with a plenary session that set the tone for the entire scientific program. Discussions centered on issues of cultural memory, national identity, and the transformation of art in the context of globalization.

The first presentation was delivered by Izim Toygan Ospankyzy, titled “Uzbeli Zhanibek – A Great Figure Who Loved His Nation.” The study focused on Uzbeli Zhanibekov as a symbol of national cultural revival and his role in shaping artistic consciousness.

The international academic dimension was strengthened by the presentation of Kolarova-Gidishka Emilia Krusteva (Bulgaria), who analyzed the musical narrative in Petr Dundakov’s “Songs of the Winds,” revealing the relationship between ethos, composition, and cultural memory. Particular interest was generated by Beybit Abildovich Daldanbay’s talk on the creative legacy of the Zhubanov family dynasty, as well as Saifulla Nurmuhammeduly Abdullayev’s research on the reinterpretation of circular dances of Turkic and Mongolic peoples in a contemporary ethno-cultural context. Zukhra Usmanbekovna Islambayeva also presented a theoretical exploration of theatre criticism through the legacy of Bagybek Kundakbayuly. The plenary session concluded with a presentation by Gulnara Tazabekovna Dzhumaseitova, who examined Kazakh choreography as a space balancing national identity and global artistic trends.

In the second half of the day, academic dialogue continued in sectional sessions, where discussions became more applied and interdisciplinary in nature.

One of the key themes was the transformation of artistic thinking under the influence of technology. A presentation on the “Human–AI–Human” model outlined a new logic of improvisation in contemporary dance, where artificial intelligence is viewed not merely as a tool, but as a co-participant in the creative process.

Other actively discussed topics included:

1. integration of Kazakh musical folklore into the education system;
2. formation of musical language and artistic expression;
3. the role of creative industries in economic development;
4. digital narratives in visual art;
5. the synthesis of traditional and symphonic music in contemporary projects.

The sectional sessions demonstrated that contemporary art increasingly exists at the intersection of pedagogy, technology, and cultural theory.

A special atmosphere was created by young researchers presenting in the Science Café and “Small Tribune” formats. Here, academic rigor was combined with experimentation and the search for new forms of expression. The topics covered a wide range of issues: from the analysis of screen memory in cinema and studies of children’s motivation in dance, to the role of digital technologies in choreographic education and interpretations of dramaturgy in theatre performance. These presentations showed that a new generation of researchers is actively rethinking the boundaries of art by combining academic knowledge with practical experience.

The first day of Science Week 2026 reflected the current state of humanities scholarship: flexible, interdisciplinary, and open to technology. The discussions emphasized the importance of preserving cultural identity while simultaneously moving toward a global and digital future.