This article examines the history of Russian colonization in Kazakhstan, focusing on identity, resistance, and independence within Russia’s neo-imperial ambitions. It addresses the socio-political barriers in postcolonial Kazakhstan due to ties with Russia and explores how the Soviet migration policies shaped Kazakhstan’s demographic and political landscape. The study outlines the phases of Russian colonization, contrasting Russian narratives of a civilizing mission with Kazakh perspectives on exploitation and cultural erasure. Using postcolonial theory, it deconstructs these narratives and reveals power dynamics. Kazakh literature and poetry are analyzed as mediums of resistance, emphasizing the horse as a symbol of cultural identity. The article concludes by discussing the post-Soviet cultural transformations and the role of literature in nation-building, highlighting the importance of reclaiming cultural symbols and myths for understanding Kazakhstan’s colonial history and postcolonial transformation.

This research aims to examine the intricate connection between the preservation of intangible cultural assets and the promotion of city brands, using Jingdezhen, known as the “Porcelain Capital” of China, as a case study. Through an exploratory investigation, the study highlighted two distinct yet significant issues: the recognition of Jingdezhen’s intangible cultural assets, encompassing folklore, rituals, traditional ceramic skills, and artwork, and the economic effects resulting from cultural tourism. The research delineates the obstacles encountered by Jingdezhen in relation to urbanization, industrialization, and globalization subsequent to its establishment as the principal production hub for Chinese blue and white porcelain. Additionally, it highlights the decline of traditional ceramic skills and expertise, as community members who relied on handicrafts for their livelihoods were affected by the closure of companies. Subsequently, it elucidates the potential prospects arising from cultural tourism and the consequential economic influence of this progress on the local economy and the community’s quality of life. The report delineates community engagement initiatives and collaborative partnerships with local enterprises, colleges, government agencies, and Jingdezhen communities to use the city’s abundant cultural legacy. This research provides a comprehensive overview and assessment of the most effective methods, as identified by international studies, for incorporating the safeguarding of intangible cultural assets into sustainable urban development. Concisely, the paper offers guidance to stakeholders, the local administration, and its legislators. The statement emphasizes the necessity of implementing a comprehensive policy framework in Jingdezhen to safeguard its intangible cultural heritage and promote urban development. The objective is to achieve sustainable growth by leveraging the city’s cultural assets. The results serve as a benchmark for other cities and towns to use their cultural legacy in order to establish a sustainable city brand. Additionally, they make a valuable addition to the worldwide discourse on striking a balance between cultural preservation and economic development.

This study aims at predicting the interrelationship between among Chat GPT with its six dimensions, tourist’s satisfaction and Chat GPT usage intention as perceived by tourist, and as well as to examine the moderating effect of traditional tour operator services on the relationships between all the variables. Data were collected from 624 tourists. The study hypotheses were tested and the direct and indirect effects between variables were examined using the PLS-SEM. The SEM results showed that Chat GPT’s six dimensions have a positive and significant direct impact on tourist’s satisfaction, and emphasis the moderating role of Traditional Tour Operator Services “TTOS” on the relationship between GPT’s six dimensions and “TS”, and on the relationship between ‘TS” and Chat GPT usage intention. These findings yield valuable insights for everyone interested in the use of IT in the tourism industry, and provide effective strategies for optimizing the use of technological applications by traditional tour operators.

What is “truth”? This is the main philosophical question that many of the contemporary philosophical theories (e.g., consistency theory, correspondence theory, semiotics, and pragmatism) tried to investigate over the past decades. However, these theories mostly approached “truth” from logical and epistemological perspectives. On the other hand, Santayana’s theory of truth embarks in a different direction. His perspective was laid out in his book “The Realm of Truth”, which is considered one of the parts of his seminal work “The Realms of Being”. Santayana's theory of truth founded on the “critical realism” to which he belongs, and thus his approach was “realistic” or “ontological”. The novelty of Santayana's theory of truth is that it brings the “theory of truth” out of the fields of logic, epistemology, and philosophies of language, and into the field of being, ontology, or the realm of lived experience. In this paper we introduce an analytical and critical account of Santayana's theory of truth, and its moving from logic to realism.

This study investigates the potential of developing a maritime tourism project within the blue economy of Pakistan and explores the factors influencing blue growth and maritime tourism. A quantitative research approach has been adopted. The research gathered primary data from diverse experts and stakeholders within the maritime sector and related industries. The study’s target population comprised on various entities involved in these sectors. A sample of around 250 individuals was selected using a convenient sampling technique. The collected data underwent analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the Partial Least Square (PLS) method. This approach was chosen to explore and understand the intricate relationships between variables in the context of the maritime industry. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) techniques were then employed to scrutinize the data further, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the interconnections among the variables identified in the study. This robust methodological approach enhances the study’s credibility and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the maritime sector and its associated industries. The findings indicate that a balanced approach, valuing business sustainability, top management support, and enabling innovation structures positively impact blue growth. Additionally, uncertainty avoidance and promoting short-term goals have an appositive impact on the blue economy. Moreover, two potential barriers, Functional strategy, and weak competency, do not significantly affect the blue economy. This study lays the foundation for further exploration and implementation of strategies that promote sustainable growth and development in Pakistan’s blue economy. By integrating the insights gained from this study into policy and decision-making processes, stakeholders can work together to create a vibrant and sustainable maritime tourism sector that benefits both local communities and the environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global crises and enforced strict measures like the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, significantly impacting societal norms, particularly affecting secondary school students. The current study employs a qualitative methodology to determine how COVID-19 affects the life stress experienced by secondary school students. Secondary school students were recruited in Sabah, Malaysia, from April to August 2022, after Malaysia entered the endemic phase on 1 April 2022. As part of a larger survey, students were asked to respond to an open-ended question about life stressors they face as a result of the pandemic COVID-19 or during home-based teaching and learning (PdPR). A total of 1069 secondary school students from various backgrounds were included in the study. However, only 714 students responded to the open-ended question. The pattern of meaning across the texts was determined using Birks and Mills’s method of multilevel coding. The students’ perspectives on life stressors were classified into five broad categories: restriction stress, emotional stress, online study stress, family-related stress, and others-related stress. Restriction stress, which refers to being confined at home, restricted movement, hampered family, friendship, and outdoor activities, and no freedom were rated as the most significant life stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by students. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and parents, emphasizing the profound effect of pandemic-induced restrictions on student life and the essential role of targeted interventions in fostering resilience among students.