April 23 – National Book Day in Kazakhstan
This day highlights the importance of reading and the development of literary culture. In Almaty, several major events are held to support library work, foster the creative potential of young people, and promote books as key tools for education and self-development.
Republican Convention of Young Librarians
On April 23 at 14:00, with the support of Almaty libraries, the City Department of Culture, the Science Center “Gylym Ordasy,” and the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republican Convention of Young Librarians titled “The Library in the Space of Time” will begin.
The event will take place at the Central City Library named after A.P. Chekhov, the Central Children’s Library named after S. Begalin, and the “Gylym Ordasy” venue.
The convention will bring together young librarians from all over the country, providing a platform for experience exchange and professional development.
The program includes hands-on master classes and training sessions based on international experience, workshops on digitization and restoration of book collections. Participants will also discuss ways to engage young people in library culture and adapt libraries to new technologies.
At the end of the day, a guided tour to the Almalinsky District Youth Community Center will be organized, where participants will explore the operations of an autonomous self-service library. Participation is free, with prior registration.
Awards Ceremony for the “Young Writer of Almaty – 2025” Contest
Also on April 23 at 16:00, a festive award ceremony for the winners of the “Young Writer of Almaty – 2025” city contest will be held at the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan. The event is dedicated to the 130th anniversary of Kazakh writer Sapargali Begalin.
The contest was organized by Almaty libraries, the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, and the “Өркен” Association.
This year, 173 students aged 11 to 17 submitted fantasy stories inspired by the characters and events from Begalin’s works. The evaluation criteria included originality, literary craftsmanship, and how well the theme was revealed. For the first time, a special nomination “Young Talent – 2025” was introduced for the youngest participants.
Winners will receive the title “Young Writer of Almaty – 2025”, and the best stories will be included in an electronic collection. In addition, the organizers will provide prizes and opportunities for further support of creative projects.
The First Republican Library Hackathon
On April 24, the first-ever Republican Library Hackathon will take place at Alatau Creative Hub for young librarians. Professionals from across the country will gather to develop projects addressing key challenges in the field – from introducing digital services to attracting young readers to libraries.
Teams will present their ideas to an expert panel composed of representatives from the Ministry of Culture, library associations, and IT professionals. The best projects will be recommended for implementation in libraries across the country, with support offered to their creators for further development.
The hackathon is not just a competition – it’s also a platform for developing new approaches to working with books and readers, and for building a professional network. Registration closed on April 15, participation is free.
Thus, during National Book Day, Almaty becomes a hub uniting young librarians and writers from across the country, merging professional growth, creativity, and innovation.
Follow the events and their outcomes on the official social media pages: @library.almaty
