The year 2020 marks the 1150th anniversary of Al-Farabi – the most famous Oriental thinker originated from the Kazakh land. His legacy has been a connecting “spiritual bridge” between West and East, combining the works of the ancient and Islamic worlds, and influencing the development of science and the Renaissance in Europe. In these difficult times for the world, Al-Farabi’s legacy is worth rediscovering.

Program Overview

Thursday, October 29 (Time EDT)

10:00 AM – Introductory Remarks by Dr. Marlene Laruelle
Director, Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies and Research Professor of International Affairs.

10:05 AM – Welcome Remarks by Ambassador Erzhan Kazykhanov
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States

Keynote Speakers:

10:10 AM Featured Remarks by Professor Peter Rollberg
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research Initiatives at the George Washington University

10:20 AM Featured Remarks by Dr. Paul Michael Taylor
Curator of European, Near Eastern, and Asian Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution

10:30 AM Featured Remarks by Professor Aliya Masalimova
Dean of Faculty at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

10:40 AM Commentary by Mr. Askar Alimzhanov
Director of the national branch MIR TV

10:45 AM Open Discussion

11:00 AM Closing Remarks