"Mom, has my Hanfu arrived yet?" Urged by her six-year-old daughter, Aigerim checked the logistics once again. She knew that her daughter's anticipation for Hanfu was not merely for the beautiful clothes, but also a heartfelt affection and recognition for Chinese culture.
This is a cross-national family. Danabekova Aigerim from Kazakhstan and her Indian husband both completed their studies and found jobs in Xi'an. From an international student to a foreign teacher, and from one person to one family, Aigerim is profoundly grateful for this land beneath her feet.
Self-discipline Leads to Academic Success
Aigerim, now 35 years old, studied international relations at the Eurasian National University in Kazakhstan for her undergraduate degree. In her junior year, when it was time to pick a specialization, she chose China intuitively. "China is our neighbor with profound history, and I love history," Aigerim said.
To understand China, mastering Chinese is the first step. Aigerim signed up for language training courses at the Confucius Institute, taking extra three Chinese classes each week besides her regular curriculum.
Her diligent and hardworking nature, combined with her excellent language talent, enabled her to master Chinese, which her classmates found challenging, with ease. She passed the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) the next year and received the Confucius Institute's scholarship.
In 2013, Aigerim fulfilled her wish to study in Xi'an and completed her master's and doctoral degrees at Xi'an International Studies University and Shaanxi Normal University, respectively. After rigorous selection in July 2023, she became a foreign teacher at Shaanxi Normal University, teaching several classes, including Russian Literature, Linguistics, and Translation.
Aigerim attributed her academic success to "self-discipline." "I can be exceptionally focused. I enjoy reading and love the sense of achievement that comes from learning," she said.
During her student years, she maintained a daily routine of getting up at 5 a.m. for morning readings. The secondhand bookstalls near the University were her regular spot for literary treasures. During the pursuit of her doctorate, her supervisor suggested she keep diaries to improve her Chinese. From struggling to fill the pages at the beginning to now, a joyful habit of recording her daily life, this practice she stuck to till today, increasingly benefited her Chinese proficiency.
Finding Her Calling in Cultural Heritage Protection Work
"Ancient yet modern." When Aigerim first arrived in Xi'an over a decade ago, she was immediately attracted by the city's unique charm. "Xi'an is filled with world-renowned historical stories and cultural relics that are truly fascinating," she recalled.
In October 2014, while pursuing her master's degree, through a friend's introduction, Aigerim got the opportunity to volunteer at the International Conservation Center in Xi'an (IICC-X) at the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
At that time, the joint World Heritage nomination by China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—"Silk Road: The Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor," a joint application—had been successfully inscribed, leading to frequent international exchanges. Aigerim's first task was to serve as a Russian interpreter for an archaeologist from Tajikistan visiting Xi'an.
This kind of translation involved professional terms related to history, archaeology, cultural relics, and murals, presenting c considerable difficulty. Aigerim promptly supplemented her knowledge on heritage protection, cultural relic restoration, and Xi'an's World Heritage sites, successfully completing the task.
In 2017, Aigerim officially joined the Center as a staff member. In late November, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, a multi-regional collaborative cultural relics exhibition, "Miles upon Miles: World Heritage along the Silk Road" was held in Hong Kong. As the secretariat of the Silk Road China-Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Joint Nomination Coordination Committee, the IICC-X participated in many of the jobs.
During the preparation, as the deputy director of the Secretariat, Aigerim traveled with her colleagues to Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan to coordinate with local cultural heritage institutions and select the cultural relics for exhibition.
When the exhibition opened, seeing the exquisite cultural relics from China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan displayed together—recreating the grand history of cultural exchanges along the Silk Road—Aigerim deeply felt the power of people-to-people connections.
Her Daughter's Favorite: "Chinese red"
The office of the Center is located in the Xi'an Small Wild Goose Pagoda scenic spot, where Aigerim enjoys the rustic tranquility. "Many of Xi'an's historical sites have naturally become parts of our daily lives during the protection," she said.
In 2019, Aigerim and her Indian husband settled down in Xi'an. Now their daughter is in kindergarten, speaking Chinese and making Chinese friends. Even her favorite color is the bright "Chinese red". Aigerim's mother often comes to Xi'an from hometown to help out. With the direct flights now connecting the two places, she no longer has to stop over in Urumqi as she did when studying abroad.
Not long ago, the kindergarten teacher invited Aigerim to give a "Parent Class". Aigerim readily agreed. She made a PowerPoint presentation and, together with her mother, fried "baursak"—a traditional Kazakhstan fried dough snack.
On the day of the "Parent Class", Aigerim dressed her daughter in traditional Kazakh cloth—a white dress, a light purple embroidered vest, and a purple felt hat, making her daughter look charmingly adorable. The slides displayed the Kazakh flag, landscapes, and horses, showcasing the customs and traditions of her hometown. The baursak was fragrant and brought the children a taste of foreign flavors... A cultural exchange began vividly and affectionately.
Over the years, with the in-depth development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Aigerim observed the growing connections between China and Kazakhstan. From the non-stop China Railway Express to the full coverage of air routes to the five Central Asian countries; from the opening of the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Xi'an to the operation of the Kazakhstan Xi'an Port; from the Aiju Kazakhstan Industrial Park to the Northwestern Polytechnical University Kazakhstan Branch, Xi'an has become a practical model for bilateral exchanges, making Aigerim feels that her two hometowns are right next door.
"China's influence is constantly growing. In my hometown, Chinese food and products fill every aspect of people's lives and have become a symbol of good quality," Aigerim said. Every time her mother returns to Kazakhstan, her suitcase is packed with "Made in China" gifts for relatives and friends, which are very popular!
Reporter / Xi'an Daily Media Group Xue Wen
Translation, Video / Xi'an Daily Media Group Xu Yufei
Photos / Provided by the interviewee
