Selahattin Ataseven, 32 years old, hometown — Istanbul, Turkey, businessman
My future wife and I met at the University in Kyzylorda. Four years we studied in the same building and got married a year after graduation. We conducted matchmaking according to the Kazakh traditions: we came to the bride's house, put on her earrings, and then spent uzatu toy. Then we went to Turkey and had a wedding there.
My family and I do not perceive my fiance as a representative of another nation, therefore were no questions about how it would be.
In the family, we honour Turkish and Kazakh traditions. We have two daughters. We have carried out and will continue to carry out customs like 40 days of the newborn, fetters cutting. We have already cut the fetters of our eldest daughter and plan to follow the customs for future children. My wife's mother did everything herself when we spent 40 days of our newborn eldest daughter. And I personally took part and did everything for the second daughter. Also, we celebrate the Nauryz holiday, go to the relatives as guests and have them at home as well and cook Nauryz kozhe. We prepare meat for the winter and cook beshbarmak. In General, I respect the Kazakh traditions. And we try abiding them.
Miryana Sultanbekova, 30 years old, hometown — Ohrid, Macedonia
My husband and I met in Poland. We studied at the same University, but at different faculties, and lived in the same residence hall.
That was the first time I met someone from Kazakhstan. I knew little about this country, people and culture. I never thought this would happen, and I will live in Kazakhstan. But everything becomes easy when you meet your person.
Of course, at first time, nothing was so smooth. For our parents was shocking that their children would have an international family. After some time, when they convinced, we have everything for real, love and we have chosen this path they agreed. Now my side and husband's side — all relatives support us.
The wedding was in Kazakhstan. My parents and closest relatives came to Almaty. The wedding was more according to Kazakh traditions but with Macedonian elements, so it was fun and international. Difficulties were with language, with translations because not everyone understood each other, but it was fun.
We have been together for ten years, married for almost seven years. We have two children. We honour Kazakh and Macedonian traditions, celebrate Kazakh and Macedonian holidays. Our Kazakh relatives go to Macedonia to rest in summer, and my relatives come to Kazakhstan.
When I say my husband is Kazakh, everyone always asks if I can serve tea or cook beshbarmak. Of course, I can. I think a person can learn everything if has a desire. I do not feel we have national or cultural differences. At first, were difficulties in perceiving another culture. But even if Macedonia and Kazakhstan are far from each other, we have similar family values and similarities in some traditions.
We celebrate all the holidays. Sometimes we meet guests with Kazakh cuisine — beshbarmak, tea, baursaks. Sometimes with Macedonian food as our family interested in this cuisine. In Macedonia, we also cook baursaks, but this tradition usually observed when a child is born. We did not have such Kazakh customs as 40 days, fetters cutting.
Macedonia is a European country, but we lived under the influence of the Ottoman Empire for 500 years, therefore we took a lot from the Turks. We even have some Turkish and similar words to Kazakh.
Daniella Aytbagina, 27 years old, hometown — Astana
Mehdi, 26 years old, homeland — Tunisia
Daniella. We met in Turkey, in Istanbul, on vacation. The first wedding was in Astana, and it was small only with close relatives. I'm half-blood, so we did not have any traditions only to wear earrings. The second wedding will take place in Tunisia. The wedding will be classic and modern, without Tunisian customs because their traditional wedding lasts for seven days. And each of these days means something. For example, the first day of henna, the second day — the day of the hammam, the third day — dresses a specific area of Tunisia. This is complicated.
Mehdi. For the first time I was in Kazakhstan in winter, then I saw snow for the first time. We do not celebrate New Year for us it is just a small home gathering. Here it is a significant holiday. I liked how everything organized here — ice slides, palaces, lots of light, everything is beautifully decorated. Every family prepares, every family has some traditional dish. I liked horse meat. I have tried it for the first time in my life here in Kazakhstan. I also liked the mare's milk and beshbarmak. I have a positive attitude to the Kazakh culture. I watched a lot of movies on YouTube about Kazakhstan. I like the way the family and relationships are built, especially respect for parents.
Daniella. My sisters' husbands also of different nationalities. So for my husband, it was interesting how different religions, nationalities intertwined in our family. For him, it was interesting because in his family our marriage is the first international marriage. My husband's family is secular. Tunisia is a former French colony, and they are Europeanized. Their cuisine is delicious. Their cuisine kept traditional dishes such as couscous, bryk.
In fact, for four years, we have never felt any difference or discomfort in the mentality, traditions, education. My and his family are adequately accepted our choice.
