INTERACTION IN THE FIELD OF CULTURE AS AN ASPECT OF HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION BETWEEN KAZAKHSTAN AND RUSSIA IN 2000-2020

The article examines some tendencies of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia. The examples of interaction between the two countries help to highlight the main aspects of state dialogue including the Forums of Cross-Border Cooperation of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, Days of Culture of the two countries, events dedicated to the common cultural and historical heritage, joint activities of state cultural institutions, and cooperation between public national organizations. Besides, the author examines some trends of joint activities of Russia and Kazakhstan during the first twenty years of the 21st century analyzing the regulatory framework for cooperation in the sphere under study. The analysis shows a tendency towards fruitful interaction on both sides which is confirmed by cultural events that were have been held annually or periodically, but on a permanent basis. The author pays special attention to the cross-border cooperation between the two countries arguing that Cross-Border Cooperation Forums contributed largely to establishing strong interstate bonds on the border. Taking into account the longest Orenburg section of the border, cultural bonds between the Orenburg region and the West Kazakhstan, Aktobe and Kostanay regions are actively developing cooperation. Astrakhan, Saratov, Volgograd and Omsk regions also cooperated with Kazakhstan on a large scale.