The University of Wyoming’s Central Asian Student Association (CASA) will celebrate its fifth-annual Central Asian Awareness Day and Navruz, a treasured holiday in Uzbekistan, Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Union Ballroom.
This year’s Central Asian Awareness Day theme is “Celebrating Science.” The celebration will feature musician Abbos Kosimov, Uzbekistan singer Karomat Atajanova and Zamira Salim, a Central Asian folk dancer, world-recognized percussionist and master of the “doira,” a medium-sized frame drum with jingles. The Central Asian scholars will be presented and traditional cuisine will be served.
“We have chosen this theme to celebrate and bring awareness about scientists and scholars of Central Asia who played a pivotal role in the unprecedented rise of science in a global civilization,” said CASA President and UW graduate student Dilnoza Khasilova. “For example, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, geography, geology, literature, linguistics, even music of the ninth to 11th centuries in the medieval East is impossible to imagine without Central Asian scholars’ fundamental works.”
On top of the many cultural performances, a fashion show will take place to share Central Asian traditional silk clothes. The ballroom will be decorated with atlas and adras silk material to bring the atmosphere of Central Asia.
“The CASA group and performers’ varied backgrounds, experiences, and professional characters suggest that the event embodies diverse worldviews, knowledge, languages, cultures and life experiences,” CASA advisor and education professor Amy Roberts said. “It also represents the UW’s commitment for cultural spaces on campus that are welcoming of diverse thoughts, opinions and experiences.”
Navruz, sometimes known as the Persian New Year, gives people the chance to celebrate nature, enjoy flavorful food with family, friends and neighbors, and welcome in a new year. It is celebrated on the spring equinox, which typically falls near March 21, from Central Asia to Iran, the Black Sea to the Balkans.
CASA was established in October 2011 as a recognized student organization at UW to create and promote a better understanding of Central Asian culture and history through various cultural and social events.
“Central Asia isn’t on the minds of most Americans,” said Michael Brown, CASA advisor and communication and journalism emeritus professor. “When I tell people I’ve been to Kazakhstan they look at me with a blank stare — kind of like when I tell people from the U.S. I am from Wyoming.”
Brown’s connection to Central Asia began when a graduate student from Kazakhstan organized a cooperation agreement between UW and the Kazakh National University. Since then, Brown has traveled to Kazakhstan several times and has made good friends through the experience. He continues to advocate for that part of the world.
“It is an underappreciated but rich area of the world,” Brown said. “Central Asia is at the crossroads of most ancient civilizations.”
For more information about Central Asian Awareness Day, email Khasilova at dkhasilo@uwyo.edu.
