Press Releases
Ambassador Ordway Opens American Corner In Shymkent
February 14, 2005
U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan John Ordway and First Deputy Akim of the Southern Kazakhstani Oblast, cut the red ribbon stretched across the threshold of the Kazakhstan's second American Corner, at the South Kazakhstani Oblast Science Technical Library, on February 14, 2005.
Ambassador Ordway told assembled guests that the American Corner was an important means to improve understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of South Kazakhstan Oblast.
The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan and the South Kazakhstani Oblast Science Technical Library worked together to establish the American Corner in Shymkent. The U.S. Department of State provided the library with over $25,000 worth of books, equipment, software, videos, CDs, DVDs, and other informational materials about the United States. The library provided the Corner with the space, and English-speaking staff to assist patrons interested in pursuing their interest in American culture.
The opening of the American Corner in Shymkent is part of a long-term U.S. Department of State program to establish American centers and corners in various cities of Kazakhstan. The first American Culture Center was opened in 2003 in Oskemen. The next corner is scheduled to open in Atyrau in mid-March.
The goal of the American centers and corners is to provide up-to-date information on U.S. politics, economics, culture, history, democratic traditions and society, and to promote further cooperation and mutual understanding between the United States and other nations. A similar project was started in Russia in 1993, and has been developing successfully. As of now, over 30 American corners and centers are functioning in various part of the Russian Federation.