On August 23, 2024, an exhibition of works by young artists was held at the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University in support of the preservation of the Sievers apple tree.
Sievers apple tree (Malus Sieversii) is a wild apple tree of Kazakhstan, the ancestor of most cultivated apple varieties in the world. That is why Kazakhstan is recognized as the birthplace of apples. Unfortunately, Sievers apple tree now needs protection and preservation.
The exhibition featured works by schoolchildren created during the ALMA-KIKA workshop by artist Brigitte Hofherr (Germany) in the Main Botanical Garden of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The workshop program included an introduction to the unique collection of Sievers apple trees, a meeting with research staff from the Institute of Botany, discussion, and drawing.
Brigitte Hofherr: "Our focus is on observation, discussion, drawing and sharing in a group. Through discussion and work on the artwork, participants can develop knowledge and awareness. Only awareness of the Malus Sieversii tree can help us protect this very important species."
Art workshops is a part of the project “RegioALMAnagement and value creation to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan (ALMA-KiKa) - using the example of endangered wild fruit varieties”, which is financed by the Federal Environmental Fund of Germany.
An exhibition of works by young artists in support of the preservation the Sievers apple tree was held in the main building of KazNARU.
The exhibition was organized by Kazakhstan-German Institute for the Protection of Ecosystems and Biodiversity; Public fund «Алмалы Жумак»; RSE «Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction» MENR RК; NETwork for System Competence and Innovation (NETSCI) GmbH.
On the opening of the exhibition made speech Rafis Abazov, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Strategic Development of KazNARU;
Azhar Zhandosova, Director of the Public fund «Алмалы Жумак»;
Brigitte Hofherr, artist (Germany);
Yesbol Omirzhanov, manager of NETSCI, coordinator of the ALMA-KIKA project.
The exhibited works aroused great interest among the visitors of the exhibition, from the exhibited works five paintings were given to KazNARU with the consent of the authors themselves. These works will decorate the walls of KazNARU.
