On the same day, the anniversary celebration was marked by the opening of the «BIKEN FEST» III theater festival. The festive event was attended by Akim of the region Beibit Isabayev, People’s Artist of the Kazakh SSR and Hero of Labor of Kazakhstan Asanali Ashimov, People’s Artists of Kazakhstan Nurzhuman Yktymbayev, Lidiya Kadenova, Doskhan Zholzhaksynov, and other cultural figures, as well as theater troupes specially invited from neighboring countries and different regions of  Kazakhstan.

The celebration began with a prologue and continued with a theater parade. Guests from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, as well as actors from theaters of Abai, Akmola, East Kazakhstan regions and the city of Shymkent were warmly welcomed by the audience.

In his welcoming speech, regional Akim Beibit Isabayev expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests who had specially come to the jubilee of the Biken Rimova Drama Theater, noting that this event is a celebration not only for Zhetysu, but also for the nation’s cultural spirit as a whole. He also emphasized that the Head of State’s initiative to grant the theater academic status reflects the high level of trust in its creative team.

«This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Biken Rimova Drama Theater. Over the past half-century, many talented artists have grown and developed under its roof. Thanks to the dedicated work of the company, the theater has won the hearts of audiences and secured a worthy place in the cultural life of the country, becoming a major school of spirituality and a golden pillar of national art. Furthermore, for the third year in a row, Zhetysu has hosted the international ‘BIKEN FEST’ festival, which has become a platform for sharing experiences and once again proven that art knows no boundaries. I congratulate the theater’s collective on reaching this significant milestone and wish them new achievements, greater heights, and success in the work of the international festival», – said Beibit Isabayev, presenting the theater with the keys to a cargo vehicle.

Later, congratulatory letters from the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev and the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva were read from the stage. The messages highlighted the contribution of the Biken Rimova Drama Theater to the development of national culture and its significant role in shaping modern theatrical art.

The ceremony continued with a festive concert featuring the group MEZZO, pop singer Aset Eszhan, as well as artists of the D. Rakyshyev Regional Philharmonic.

 On the same day, guests also visited an exhibition in the theater’s foyer dedicated to the history of the cultural institution.

It should be noted that the “BIKEN FEST III” international festival runs from September 13 to 17. During these days, nine theaters from abroad and Kazakhstan will present their productions to audiences in Zhetysu, including: the Bukhara State Musical Drama Theater (Uzbekistan), the Toktobolot Abdumomunov Kyrgyz National Academic Drama Theater, the M. Theater (Azerbaijan), the Georgiy Ratiani Sukhumi Youth Theater (Georgia), the Abai Regional Kazakh Musical Drama Theater named after Abai, the East Kazakhstan Regional Drama and Opera Theater, the Shymkent City Academic Drama Theater, the Akmola Regional Drama Theater named after Shakhmet Kusayinov, and the State Drama and Comedy Theater named after Azerbayzhan Mambetov.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/zhetysu-archive/press/news/details/1068033?lang=kk