The official opening of the Aral School in Nukus marked the beginning of the programme with a full day of introductions, presentations, and exchange.

The official opening of the Aral School in Nukus marked the beginning of the programme with a full day of introductions, presentations, and exchange.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from: 
– Azizbek Mannopov, First Deputy Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation; 
– Muratjon Atamuratov, Chairman of the Committee on Socio-Cultural Development, Youth Policy, Tourism and Public Associations of the Joqarǵı Keńes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan; 
– Rasul Zarikeev, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan for Tourism, Culture, Cultural Heritage and Mass Communications.

Their addresses underscored the importance of the Aral School as a long-term educational and research initiative for the region.

Following the opening remarks, the programme was introduced by Jan Boelen, Programme Director of the Aral School, and Anastasia Sinitsyna, Director of the Aral Culture Summit, who presented the School’s mission, methodology, and working principles. Together, they outlined a shared approach grounded in collaboration, research, and regional specificity. Presentations by the mentors followed, offering initial perspectives from across disciplines and setting the intellectual framework for the months ahead.