Kazakhstan is in a celebratory mood this week, as the Day of the First President, a national holiday, was observed on December 1. Since the occasion fell on a Sunday, Monday (December 2) was declared a national holiday.
It is the second time that a holiday has been declared to commemorates December 1 1991, when Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected Kazakhstan's first president by an overwhelming majority of the population.
A little over two weeks later, Kazakhstan declared its independence.
The holiday was established after a bill was passed by the Senate (the upper house of parliament) in December 2011 in order to acknowledge the huge achievements of President Nazarbayev since Kazakhstan became independent.
Since that time, President Nazarbayev has helped to transform Kazakhstan from a Soviet republic into a modern, democratic state.
"The results of two decades of development for independent Kazakhstan - the massive reforms in all areas of life, the sustainable growth of the economy, a just social policy, the steady democratization of society - all of this is a direct result of the fulfilment of the strategic course set by the Head of State," said Nurlan Nigmatulin, the Chairman of the Majilis.
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On November 26, an international conference marked the start of a week of national celebration. At the conference, Nigmatulin praised President Nazarbayev for his role in carrying out reforms in all areas of life: economically, socially and politically.
On November 27, the Assembly hosted a lecture, "Kazakhstan as a model of ethnic tolerance and social agreement", and also a fashion show of national costumes, "Ethno-FASHION", followed by a concert of ethnic music given by musicians from the Zhambyl and Kyzylorda Regions.
The following day the Assembly held a conference on "Peace and Agreement".
In all, local branches of the Assembly have arranged more than 40 diff erent events throughout the country including conferences, round tables, celebratory events, exhibitions, competitions, and festivals of art and crafts.
Representatives of the Nazarbayev University marked the Day of the First President by spending a few days visiting schools and colleges in Ust-Kamenogorsk and in the Eastern Kazakhstan Region at the invitation of the governor of the region.
They were there to tell local students what they have to do to enter Nazarbayev University.
In Ekibastuz, in Pavlodar Region, a new children's technical school and a kindergarten for 320 children was opened. Key of new flats were also presented to 45 families.
A charity concert was held in the town underthe banner, "A Present for the President", where the money raised will go to the families of disabled children.
The town's music school, which was built thanks to the support of the pPresident, held a concert of "The Three Tenors" in honor of the holiday.
People of Ekibastuz also took part in a 2,400 meter fun run, and there were volleyball and ice hockey tournaments.