AlmaU hosted a meeting for students and faculty with Berlin Kenzhetayevich Irishev, an economist, diplomat, Doctor of Economics, and President of the Association of Kazakhstanis in France.
The meeting focused on the story of Alla Yelshin, a woman of Kazakh heritage who became a renowned model in post-war Paris and the muse of legendary French fashion designer Christian Dior.
As part of the event, participants watched the documentary “Alla – Dior’s Eastern Pearl,” which tells the story of Alla Yelshin, her life in Paris, and her place in the history of French fashion.
Following the screening, Berlin Irishev shared the story behind the creation of the book and documentary film. He also spoke about his professional and public career, diplomatic work, and his role as President of the Association of Kazakhstanis in France.
The meeting concluded with an open question-and-answer session. Students showed particular interest in the discussion about preserving the historical memory and cultural heritage of Kazakhstanis abroad, as well as how the personal stories of members of the Kazakh diaspora become part of international cultural dialogue.
Such meetings allow students to broaden their understanding of Kazakhstan’s professional and cultural ties with other countries, learn about the stories of prominent representatives of the Kazakh diaspora, and discover new points of connection between history, diplomacy, culture, and contemporary media.