ATOM Project Honorary Ambassador to Donate Painting to Astana Charity Event

November 15, 2016

The ATOM Project Honorary Ambassador and renowned artist Karipbek Kuyukov will donate one of his paintings to this year’s Dec. 4 Christmas Charity Bazaar at the Radisson Hotel in Astana.

The ATOM Project is a global effort initiated by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to permanently end nuclear weapons testing and bring about a nuclear-weapons-free world.

The people of Kazakhstan suffered more than 450 nuclear weapons tests by the Soviet Union at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site near what is now the village of Semey. More than 1.5 million Kazakhs have been affected by those tests with many suffering early death, lifelong debilitating illnesses and horrific birth defects, which continue to this day.

Kuyukov is an internationally recognized antinuclear weapons activist and renowned artist whose parents were exposed to those tests. As a result, Kuyukov was born without arms but has overcome that challenge to dedicate his life and art to the nonproliferation movement and victims of nuclear weapons testing. His most recent works can be viewed at http://www.theatomproject.org/en/about/nuclear-weapons-testing-effects/the-art-of-truth/.

Kuyukov’s painting, entitled “Summer in the Mountains” (60cmx50cm), will be sold for 250,000 tenge (US$735) on a first-come-first-served basis, with the money going to The Children’s Home in Semey. Other monies raised at the charity event through raffles and the sale of products will support charitable efforts throughout the country.

Honorary Ambassador to The ATOM Project and artist Karipbek Kuyukov

Last year’s event raised $80,481, which was used to fund 46 charitable projects, including donations to children’s homes, facilities for children with disabilities and the purchase of clothing, medicine, medical equipment, therapies, food and more.

This year’s event is expto include the participation of 53 embassies. Raffle tickets will be sold for 12 grand prizes, including airline tickets and travel packages abroad. Gift baskets and traditional products from each of the embassies’ home countries will also be available for sale.

“All embassies during this event promote their countries by selling their best authentic national products and special items that they bring especially from their countries for this event, so people in Kazakhstan can always find their perfect Christmas gifts or souvenirs from their favourite country at very reasonable prices. It is a special event where the people of Kazakhstan immerse themselves in the atmosphere of all cultures, see national costumes, taste delicious national food and buy souvenirs as though they visited 53 countries in one day. And at the same time, they’re doing good deeds, as all the proceeds go to charity,” said Heba Osman, president of Ambassadors’ Spouses Astana, whose members organize the event.

For more information about the event, check the story at The Astana Times http://astanatimes.com/2016/11/charity-bazaar-to-bring-hope-and-magic-to-christmas-season/

For more information about The Atom Project, visit www.TheAtomProject.org

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CONTACT: Dmitry Lee, +77754488212