The “My Friendly Family” Festival Took Place at the Kazan Cathedral

July 13, 2025. Almaty. Following the Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Cathedral and with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the My Friendly Family festival was held in the Legends of the Peoples of Kazakhstan park. The event was dedicated to the Day of Family, Love, and Fidelity.

The event was organized by the public foundation ELEOS-MEIRIM (director: V. M. Kapsamun).

Participants of the celebration included Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, vicar of the Astana diocese and chancellor of the Metropolitan District of Kazakhstan; Priest Georgy Rublinsky, sacristan of the Kazan Cathedral in Almaty; Deacon Bogdan Boyko, cleric of the Sophia Cathedral of the southern capital; V. S. Shikhotov, ataman of the Republican Public Association Union of Cossacks of Semirechye, chairman of the Almaty city branch of the NGO Association of Russian, Slavic, and Cossack Organizations of Kazakhstan, member of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan; parishioners of city churches and residents of the southern capital.

Before the beginning of the celebration, Bishop Gennady addressed the attendees with words of greeting. The chancellor of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan congratulated everyone on the holiday and emphasized the importance of preserving family values in contemporary society.

After that, winners of the photo contest were awarded in the following categories: A Big Family is Great Happiness, Family Embrace, and Happiness in the Little Things. The prize winners received gift certificates to Meloman retail stores.

For the young audience, there were performances by the children’s ensemble Karamelka and the folk music ensemble Theater of Folk Song.

The festival program also included creative workshops, traditional circle dances, themed games, and the culinary contest Our Family Dish.

At the end of the celebration, guests were treated to pastries and hot tea from a samovar.

More than 100 people took part in the event.