ASTANA – Travel companies in Kazakhstan are developing tour packages for foreign visitors wishing to attend the Astana Piano Passion festival of classical music this May.
The festival, which began in 2013 with the online broadcasting of performances by gifted children and piano stars, aroused a lot of interest among lovers of classical music from around the world. Many spectators regretted then that they could not come to Astana and personally see and hear the performances. That’s why this year, festival organisers and the National Association of the Tourism Industry of Kazakhstan decided to prepare tours in advance and invite music lovers to the capital of Kazakhstan.
Encouraging foreign tourists to come to Kazakhstan is one of the main tasks of developing the tourism sector in the country, according to representatives of the National Association of the Tourism Industry, which comprises Kazakhstan’s large travel companies.
Astana Piano Passion is the largest competition of young pianists in Central Asia and has the potential to attract many tourists from abroad. To do this, according to festival organisers, it is necessary to provide standardised tour packages that include a trip to Lake Borovoye and other places of interest, allowing visitors to see some local colour. Tourist firms will be ready to present their packages in early March.
The second Astana Piano Passion international festival will be held on the major modern concert grounds of the capital from May 10-16. Guests and citizens of Astana will be able to attend concerts and master classes with today’s best musicians and teachers. The festival is also an opportunity to establish international contacts, support young talent and promote the music of Kazakh composers. Works by Kazakh composers are included in the compulsory programme of the young musicians’ competition.
The deadline for applying to the Astana Piano Passion competition, organised by the Accordi di Astana public fund with the support of the municipal administration and the Moscow Philharmonic, is March 15, 2014.
