What does genuine intercultural dialogue look like in an interconnected yet polarized world? The Times of Central Asia spoke with Friederike van Stephaudt, director and head of cultural programs at the Goethe-Institut in Kazakhstan, about cultural relations between Germany and Kazakhstan. She discussed literary translation and how young people’s interest in studying or working in Germany can develop into lasting cultural connections.
TCA: When you came to lead the Goethe-Institut in Kazakhstan, what aspects of the country’s culture and society particularly interested you?
Friederike van Stephaudt: What fascinated me from the very beginning was Kazakhstan’s unique position at the intersection of tradition and modernity. The country combines a rich nomadic heritage with rapid urban development and a strong orientation toward the future. I was also struck by the diversity of cultural influences that have shaped Kazakhstan throughout its complex and multidimensional history. Different communities, languages, memories, and traditions coexist and interact here, creating a cultural landscape that is both dynamic and deeply layered. For me, Kazakhstan is a place where questions about identity, belonging, and cultural transformation are constantly being negotiated, which makes it an incredibly interesting environment to live and work in.
TCA: How would you assess the current state of cultural relations between Germany and Kazakhstan? What changes have you observed in these relations in recent years?
Friederike van Stephaudt: I would describe the cultural relations between Germany and Kazakhstan as lively, productive, and based on genuine mutual interest. What I particularly appreciate is that cultural exchange today is no longer understood as a one-way transfer of knowledge or artistic practices. There is a strong desire on both sides to learn from one another.
While Germany and Kazakhstan often approach cultural, social, or artistic questions from different perspectives, we also discover many similarities and shared concerns. Topics such as social transformation, memory, sustainability, inclusion, and digitalization are relevant in both countries. Over recent years, I have observed a growing openness toward collaborative formats that allow artists, cultural professionals, and institutions to work together as equal partners.
TCA: The Goethe-Institut’s mission is not limited to promoting the German language; it also aims to foster dialogue between cultures. In Kazakhstan, which of these two areas are you currently prioritizing?
Friederike van Stephaudt: For us, these two areas cannot really be separated. We do not prioritize one over the other because language and cultural dialogue are closely interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Learning a language always means engaging with another culture. It offers access to different perspectives, ways of thinking, and forms of expression. At the same time, meaningful cultural exchange becomes much richer when people can communicate directly with one another. This is why we see language promotion and intercultural dialogue as two sides of the same coin, and our work aims to strengthen both equally.
TCA: How strong is the interest in learning German in Kazakhstan? Have the motivations and aspirations of young people who want to learn German changed in recent years?
Friederike van Stephaudt: Interest in learning German remains strong in Kazakhstan. Of course, motivations evolve over time, and we observe certain trends and shifts from year to year. Many young people are interested in educational opportunities, academic exchange, and professional prospects connected to Germany.
At the same time, we see increasing interest among people who simply want to broaden their horizons, engage with another culture, or participate in international networks. As the Goethe-Institut, we work closely with schools and universities to demonstrate the wide range of opportunities that learning German can offer. Language skills are not only valuable for studying or working abroad; they also foster intercultural competence and open doors to international cooperation.
TCA: Young people in Kazakhstan are often interested in Germany because of opportunities for education, employment, and professional development. How can the Goethe-Institut transform this interest into deeper cultural connections?
Friederike van Stephaudt: Practical opportunities such as studying, working, or conducting research in Germany are often the first point of contact, and we support this interest through information programs, scholarships, and various exchange opportunities.
At the same time, we believe it is important to present Germany not only as a destination for education or work, but also as a cultural space. This begins in our language courses, where cultural studies and contemporary social topics are an integral part of learning. We teach German as a living language connected to real people, diverse experiences, literature, arts, and everyday life. Through this approach, professional interest can gradually evolve into a deeper understanding of cultural complexity and mutual exchange.
TCA: How familiar do you think readers in Kazakhstan are with German-language literature? Beyond classics such as Goethe, Schiller, and Kafka, what opportunities do you see for introducing contemporary German-language literature to readers in Kazakhstan?
Friederike van Stephaudt: It is difficult to assess how familiar Kazakh readers are with contemporary German literature as a whole, but we certainly see a growing interest. The challenge, as in many countries, is making contemporary voices accessible through translation and exchange.
This is why the Goethe-Institut regularly supports translations of German literature into Kazakh. We also invite German authors to Kazakhstan and create opportunities for direct encounters between writers and readers. A particularly memorable example was our collaboration with the German author Mareice Kaiser, who traveled with us through Kazakhstan in 2025. The events attracted a broad audience, and the discussions following the readings were remarkably lively and engaged. Such encounters demonstrate that contemporary literature can create meaningful conversations across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
TCA: How would you assess the current state of translating Kazakh literature into German? Which Kazakh writers or poets do you think might be particularly interesting to German readers?
Friederike van Stephaudt: Although interest in Central Asia has grown in Germany in recent years, Kazakh literature is still not sufficiently represented on the German-language book market. Translation therefore plays a crucial role in creating visibility and enabling literary exchange.
What makes Kazakh literature particularly interesting for German readers is its ability to combine local experiences, historical perspectives, and universal questions. Rather than highlighting individual names, I would emphasize the importance of creating more opportunities for translators, publishers, and literary institutions to work together. Sustainable translation structures are essential if we want readers in Germany to discover the richness and diversity of contemporary Kazakh literature.
TCA: What kinds of projects could be developed to introduce the history of Kazakhstan’s German community to the younger generation?
Friederike van Stephaudt: This is actually a topic we are already actively working on. One promising approach is to use artistic and narrative formats that resonate with younger audiences. For example, we are planning to invite a German-Kazakh graphic novel artist to Kazakhstan. Graphic novels and comics are particularly interesting because they combine visual storytelling with historical reflection. They offer innovative ways of approaching complex histories and can make personal experiences more accessible to younger generations.
More broadly, I believe that artistic formats are especially powerful because they create emotional connections and open up new perspectives. They encourage people not only to learn about history, but also to reflect on how historical experiences continue to shape societies today.
