(AGI) Astana, Sept. 25 - Italian songwriter Mogol is giving aseries of lessons at the Arts Institute in Astana, Kazakhstan.The writer of some of Italy's best-known light music wasinvited by the violinist Aiman Musakhodzhaeva, head of theKazakh Shabyt Academy of Music. The Italian Embassy in Astanais supporting the visit. Mogol, with composer and pianistGiuseppe Barbera and singer Son Pascal, is teaching the basicsof light music to 70 students and teachers. The students willgive a concert on Sept. 28. Mogol said local music was not amatter "of copying Western motifs" but of "absorbing anddeveloping new sounds". Mr Pascal said: "Mogol really bringsmusic and culture together, which is very important, especiallywhere the creation of Kazakh pop music is concerned." He said"great results" had been achieved by the Khazakhs, for whom"arrangement and international credibility" were the aims oflocal music. This was why Mogol's dedication to helping localKazakh musicians was so important. Italian Ambassador StefanoRavagnan said that the event aimed to "initiate dialogue withthe European Centre in Toscolano, of which Mogol is president".His visit is just before Italian Year begins in Kazakhstan,with a series of events, classical and jazz concerts andarchaeological exhibition exchanges between the countries,involving Astana and Almaty and other cities. The embassy hasbacked the project, supported and sponsored by Italiancompanies, which aims to put the spotlight on Kazakhstan inItaly, creating a bridge between Expo in Milan this year andExpo 2017, which will be held in Astana. (AGI). .