Seminar “The Sievers Apple – Nature, Science, Art”

📍 Main Botanical Garden, Almaty
📅 August 14, 2025
🎨🌱 Seminar “The Sievers Apple – Nature, Science, Art”

On August 14, the Main Botanical Garden in Almaty hosted the interdisciplinary seminar “The Sievers Apple – Nature, Science, Art”, bringing together artists, scientists, educators, and environmentalists around the unique heritage of the wild apple Malus sieversii — a symbol of the region’s biological and cultural richness. The seminar featured professors and researchers from the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, who presented the university’s work on studying and promoting knowledge of endemic plants.

Organized by the NGO Almaly Zhumak with the support of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, the seminar became a platform for dialogue between art and environmental education. The event opened with welcoming remarks from Azhar Zhandosova and Gulnara Sitpayeva, who emphasized the importance of preserving natural heritage through creative approaches.

The seminar’s goal was to spark interest in the topic of Malus sieversii and to lay the foundation for creating an international community uniting artists and educators. Lead moderator Hannes Bürkmann (Germany) introduced the project concept aimed at developing a business model “Art and Environmental Education on Malus sieversii.”

Participants explored the botanical features of the Sievers apple through a guided tour of the collection garden and a presentation by Gauhar Mukan. Special attention was given to the 2024 art project by German artist Brigitte Hoffer, whose work is inspired by the natural aesthetics and ecological meaning of Malus sieversii.

Following a light reception, participants engaged with practical examples of environmental education presented by representatives of Hochstamm Deutschland e.V. — Hannes Bürkmann and Sophia Philipp. An interactive session fostered discussion of interests, needs, and ideas for further project implementation at local and international levels.

The seminar concluded with the presentation of a methodological guide, designed as a tool for artists and educators seeking to integrate the theme of Malus sieversii into their practices.

This seminar marked an important step toward building a sustainable community where art serves as a bridge between science, nature, and education. Participants expressed their readiness for further collaboration, inspired by the idea of turning the Sievers apple into a symbol of ecological awareness and cultural dialogue.