Alexander Papp, 80 years old, hometown — Karachin village, Transcarpathian region, entrepreneur, chairman of the NGO «Hungarian cultural center of Almaty»
About moving
I was born in Hungary in Karachin village in a large family of agronomist-gardener. After the end of the Great Patriotic War, the Hungarian territory where my family lived was transferred to the Soviet Union.
I went to a Russian school and learned Russian on my father's advice. I entered the technical school №5, on "machinist of aggregate installations" speciality.
In 1970 I arrived in Kazakhstan because of the party ticket in Pavlodar region Ermakovskiy district to create Kalkamansk plant road machines. A little later, my wife arrived with our four-year-old son. The next year, the plant under my leadership produced necessary for the country amounts of 2,500 bulldozers.
About Kazakhstan
In 1972 we moved to Almaty. First, I worked as a chief engineer of Almaty plant of non-standard equipment for a year and then as a chief of Almaty experimental mechanical plant.
My path in mechanical engineering was long and in Kazakhstan I was able to realize my professional skills. In 1992 I created the «KELET» enterprise it's known supplier of the qualitative equipment for water supply, heating, ventilation of houses and productions. We help the country to develop industrial infrastructure.
Three countries participated in my formation — Hungary, where I was born and received entrepreneurial acumen, Soviet Russia, where I was given professional experience and knowledge and Soviet and independent Kazakhstan, which allowed me to realize myself in professional and personal field and recognized me as son of the steppe.
Three countries participated in my formation — Hungary, Soviet Russia and Soviet and independent Kazakhstan
The most important events in my life took place in Kazakhstan. My daughter Elizabeth and grandchildren Janos, Maria and Julia were born here. On the Kazakh land I became the main Kazakh Hungarian and loving grandfather.
About culture similarities and differences
Hungarians once lived on the lands of Kazakhstan, as they were nomadic people. We are also hospitable, kind and love milk. According to the stories of familiar Hungarians, Budapest has a street Astana and monument dedicated to Abay on it.
I founded the NGO «Hungarian cultural center of Almaty» to expand the friendly relations between Hungarians and Kazakhstanis.
About plans
To raise grandchildren and develop our company. I hope to contribute to the development of Kazakhstani engineering.
Maria Papp, 52, hometown — Shalanki village, Vinogradovsky district, Transcarpathian region, deputy chairman of the NGO «Hungarian cultural center of Almaty»
About moving
I came to Kazakhstan in 1982 from Transcarpathia to enter the republican medical school. I studied at the Russian school and I had no problem with the language barrier. After graduating in 1985, I worked as a medical assistant-laboratory in the centralized biochemical laboratory of the central city hospital.
Later I graduated from the Kazakh State Academy of Management with a degree in international economic relations.
In Kazakhstan I met my husband and stayed.
We have a multinational family, I am Hungarian, my husband is Russian. We have three daughters.
About Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a huge country with rich nature.
For the first time I saw Almaty in the program "morning post". Frontman Yuri Nikolaev moved on a camel through Almaty streets. For me it was unusual and interesting. After arriving in Almaty, I saw that it is a big city with a developed infrastructure, and the camel can be seen only in the circus, zoo or as an ethnic symbol for tourists.
Almaty is my favorite city, with amazing snow-capped mountains and beautiful sights. Among them are the high-mountain skating rink Medeo, ski resort Shymbulak, Alma-Arasan gorge, Butakovka.
Charyn canyon, Ili lake and Borovoe deserve special attention and admiration.
Kazakhs rather westernized than easternized. Although girls pay more attention to their appearance than women in Europe. Foreigners who visited Kazakhstan, note that Kazakhstani women are incredibly beautiful and well-kept.
Foreigners who visited Kazakhstan, note that Kazakhstani women are incredibly beautiful and well-kept
About culture similarities and differences
According to the theory of the Hungarian anthropologist and turanist Andras Zsolt Biro, Kazakh and Hungarian people have blood connection. His theory is supported by some facts. First, in ancient times before the adoption of their current alphabets, Kazakhs and Hungarians wrote runes. Secondly, in ancient times, Kazakhs and Hungarians were tengrianists. Thirdly, Kazakhs and Hungarians were nomads: they lived in yurts, were engaged in cattle breeding, were militant. Hungarians, as well as Kazakhs respected horses because of being nomad.
Horses play such a big role only in Hungarian culture among all the Europeans. Hungarians are traditionally good riders, as well as Kazakhs. In ancient times in Hungary, a warrior was buried together with a horse, so I was the next life he could be a warrior-rider.
To the question about different appearance between Hungarians and Kazakhs, Andras Biro said: "Of course, Kazakhs and Hungarians are not similar now. But it took more than a thousand years, and the anthropological nature of the Kazakhs has changed due to the Mongol invasion, and Hungarian due to mixing with the Europeans".
About plans
We will continue to develop our center, learn the language, actively participate in all events and involve young people in culture, customs and traditions.
Alexander Papp Jr., 52 years old, hometown — Arkhangelsk, chairman of board of directors, vice president for commercial affairs of JSC «KELET»
About moving
Moving from Russia to Kazakhstan was because of my father, Alexander Adalbertovich Papp, in Pavlodar region.
About Kazakhstan
I have been living in Almaty since 1972. My childhood, youth and conscious life are connected with this wonderful city.
Here I graduated from school, entered the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute. In the same city began my professional career.
I like Almaty, it is my homeland and home. I like to spend time on the street: walking in the mountains, go to Shymbulak and Medeo.
Kazakhstan gave me the opportunity to realize my potential. For my contribution to the socio-economic and cultural development of the country in 2012, I was awarded the order of Kurmet, and in 2018 by the title of Honor engineer of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
About culture similarities and differences
Hungarians call themselves Magyar, and on the territory of Kazakhstan also live Magyars, they are part of the middle just now.
Hungarian language have similar to Kazakh words : «anya» — mother, «alma»— apple, «kerek» — need, «alachyn» — low, «kichi» — small «keshik» — be late, «balta» — hammer, «sakal» — beard.
Hungarian language have similar to Kazakh words : «anya» — mother, «alma»— apple, «kerek» — need
Our languages use suffixes and prefixes instead of prepositions. For example, «anyam» from Hungarian is «my mother».
In 2007, Kazakhstan hosted the first Hungarian-Turkic Kurultai at the invitation of Kazakh Magyars in the Torgai region. Later, since 2008, Kurultai held in Hungary in the town of Bugac every two years.
Up to 300 delegates from 26 peoples of Eurasia from different countries, including Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, Russia usually take part in Kurultai.
About plans
To develop Kazakh-Hungarian relations in cultural and economical ways. I believe in close friendship between Hungary and Kazakhstan and want to contribute to it.
