The 1st of May is a significant holiday for Kazakhstan, as citizens of the country celebrate the peaceful coexistence of various nationalities and ethnicities that has been a feature from the very first days of the state’s existence.
Dancers at a Unity Day celebration in Astana in 2013. Photo: astana.gov.kz
The capital will start celebrating the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan at 10 a.m. with a concert programme taking place on the square in front of the Kazakh Eli monument, announced the Akimat (city administration) of Astana.
Open air celebration events will be also organised starting at 10 a.m. on Baiterek Square, on the city square in front of the Astana Akimat and in the park next to the Kazakhstan sports centre. The public will be able to enjoy festive events organised next to the Zhastar theatre, in the park in front of the Khan Shatyr shopping mall and along the Yessil River. The biggest open air areas will be equipped with huge LED monitors to broadcast the celebrations.
Concert programmes will include performances by different cultural centres who will demonstrate their traditional dancing and singing. The concerts will be wrapped up with a fireworks show launched from five locations in the city: upon the Yessil River and stadium Zhas batyr, in front of the Khan Shatyr and Music Hall, as well as in the district between Abylaikhan and Pushkin streets.
Apart from traditional holiday entertainment, Astana residents will also enjoy sports competitions. Those who want to try their sport skills can do that at 10:00 a.m. on the square near the Kazakh Eli monument. Competitions will include such sports as Kazakh kuresi, arkan tartys, bukatartys, weight-lifting and arm wrestling. People of all ages will be able to take part in the competitions. Winners will be awarded prizes, including household appliances.
Both the K. Kuanyshbayev State Academic Kazakh Music and Drama Theatre and the M. Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theatre will offer musical comedies “Zhubailar zhumbagy” and “Khanuma.” During the holidays, people can also visit the “Bereke basi – dostyk” exhibition opened till May 4 in the S. Seifullin museum.
