The Monument “Baiterek”
Situated at the heart of Astana’s modern Left Bank, the Baiterek is a symbol of the city and the new Kazakhstan. The unique monument, designed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, represents the golden egg of the Samruk bird nestling atop a poplar tree, symbolising the rebirth of the Kazakh nation.
Inside the egg, visitors can find the
“Ayala-Alakan” monument, with an impression of right palm of the first President of Kazakhstan expressing the bond between the state and citizens and peace, friendship and harmony. The monument sits at a height of 97 metres, marking the year of 1997 when Astana was officially designated the new capital of Kazakhstan.
Alongside the “Ayala-Alakan” is the “Bata”, a sculpture of a globe with radiating segments marking the first Congress of World and Traditional Religions in 2003, when seventeen leaders of world religions gathered in Astana to promote peace and harmony between religions.
The 105-metre Baiterek is constructed from metal, glass and beton and weighs over 1000 tons. The 22-metre golden egg, whichweighs 300 tons alone, is made with chameleon glass that changes colour depending on the light.
Events:
“Shattyk” Children’s Art Festival
July 4 at 17:00 and July 5-6 at 11:00
Shopping and leisure centre
“Khan Shatyr”
Designed by the internationally renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster, “Khan Shatyr” is the world’s largest tent. The landmark, which houses a shopping and leisure centre, was opened on July 6 – Astana Day – in 2010.
The 127 thousand square meter complex includes a tropical beach resort with sand imported from the Maldives. The special skin of the building keeps the temperature inside at a constant 35°C all year round, allowing beachgoers to enjoy a tropical experience even in the coldest of winters.
Khan Shatyrhas the honour of being the only building in the CIS to feature in Forbes Style’s top ten world buildings.
Events:
“Millennium around Astana” Festival of nomadic civilization
July 4-7 at 11:00
“Astana Arkau”
Festival of Turkic Music
July5 – 6 at 15:00
Master of art of hairdressing
July 6 at 13:00
Ice Palace“Alau”
The world-class “Alau” Ice Palace is a symbol of Astana’s ambition to be the capital of sport.
The 8000-seat stadium, which hosts speed skating, ice hockey and figure skating, is equipped with super-modern equipment that can produce “fast ice.” The palace played host to ice events in the 7thAsian Winter Games in 2011, when nine continental records were broken.
The palace includes a 400-meter ice track, two hockey courts, a jury room, press centre and eight locker rooms for athletes and is ranked 11th in the world among skating stadiums.
Events:
“Astana Cup” Table tennis marathon
July 4-6 at 11:00
Republican cycle track
Located alongside the Alau Ice Palace, the Republican Cycle Track was also constructed for the Winter Asian Games in 2011.
The $20 billion Tenge (USD 110 million) 8000-seat development includes a cycle track, volleyball and basketball courts,football fields, swimming pools and fitness centres, and a hotel and education complex.
Events:
“Асқақтай бер, Астана!” Disco
July 6 at 19:00
Ethno-Memorial Complex
“Map of Kazakhstan “Atameken”
The Atamaken Ethno-memorial complex provides a walk through the history and culture of Kazakhstan. The 1.7-hectare site, opened in2001 at the initiative of President Nazarbayev, features a miniature representation of Kazakhstan, including models of the country’s 14 major towns and the cities of Almaty and Astana.
There are more than 400 models across the site, including representations of Kazakhstan’s characteristic landscapes, famous historical and architectural monuments, and a decoratively designed model of the Caspian Sea.
Events:
The wedding ceremony
July 6 at 12:00
Walk-in Day
July 7 at 10:00
Palace of Peace and Harmony
The Palace of Peace and Harmony, often referred to as ‘The Pyramid’, was conceived by President Nazarbayev as a symbol of modern Kazakhstan’s values of friendship, unity and peace.
The building – like Khan Shatyr – was designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster and opened in 2006.
The palace incorporates an opera hall, conference and exhibition centre and contemporary arts centre. It is also used to host international events, including the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and major national events such as Constitution Dayand the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan.
Events:
International Festival of illusionists “Magic Astana”
July 6 at 12:00 and 17:00
International Festival of humour “Battle of Cities”
On July 7 at 19:00
Shopping and leisure centre “Duman”
With more than 3,000 km to the nearest ocean, the Duman Oceanarium gives Astana’s visitors and citizens the chance to experience the wonders of the depths.
The three million-litre saltwater oceanarium is home to more than 2,000 sea creatures, with over 100 marine species from all corners of the earth.
The oceanarium includes a large main aquarium with a 70-metre glass tunnel on its bed, allowing visitors to walk among the marine life. Only seven centimeters of acrylic glass separates guests from the water – and the sharks.
Two exhibition areas with eleven smaller aquariums feature marine flora and fauna from ocean and tropical seas from around the world.
Events:
The wedding ceremony
July 6 at 12:00
The State Theatre of Opera and Ballet “Astana Opera”
The Astana Opera House – or the State Theatre of Opera and Ballet as it is formally known – is one of the city’s newest and finest cultural attractions. Founded in 2013 and situated on the left bank of the river Ishim, the new theatre’s architectural splendor and first-rate facilities provide a world-class setting for productions. Occupying a plot of almost nine acres, the theatre is 64,000 square meters in size with a stage of 3,000 square meters.
Events:
Theatre La Scala with staging of “Don Quixote”;
July 4 at 19:00
Gala concert of La Scala theatre with participation of A. Netrebko
July 5 at 19:00
Mapping-Show (projection show in 4D format) – theatrical area of the theatre of opera and ballet “Astana Opera”
July 5 22:00
Evening of classical music “Concert in motherland”
July 6 at 20:00
Mapping-Show (projection show 4D) – theatrical area of the theater of opera and ballet “Astana Opera”
July 6 at 22:00
“Museum-memorial complex to the victims of political repressions and totalitarianism “ALZHIR”
The ALZHIR Museum is a moving and thoughtful memorial to the many thousands of victims of political repression in the Soviet era. Opened in 2007 by President Nazarbayev, it tells the story of the impact of totalitarianism and terror on its victims and Kazakhstan.
The complex is divided into two sections with the first charting, through documents and displays, the management of Kazakh lands by the Soviet authorities, the famine of the 30s and national liberation movements.
The second section is dedicated to the ALZHIR camp itself from which the museum gets its name. ALZHIR is the abbreviation in Russian of the Akmolinsk Camp for the Wives of the Betrayers of the Homeland. It includes the 18-metre high Arch of Sorrow the Memory Wall, which includes the names of 7620 prisoners, sculptures and reconstructions of the camp itself. The complex receives around 35 thousand visitors every year from Kazakhstan and much further afield.
Events:
Walk-in Day
July 7 at 10:00
KazMedia Centre
The KazMedia Centreis one of Astana’s architectural and cultural landmarks. It is a modern business and technological complex at the centre of the rapid development of the digital media and the Kazakhstan digital television broadcasting, IPTV.
Events:
Gala concert of the national contest “Аялаған Астана”
July 6 at 15:00
Circus
The construction of Astana Circus was started in December 2001 to plans devised by architect Tolegen Abdilda. He created a truly unique building in the form of a flying saucer which holds up to 2,000 people. The circus arena can be also transformed into a skating-rink.
Events:
International Circus Festival “Echo of Asia”
July 4-7 at 16:00
Palace of Independence
The Palace of Independence hosts many official state events, forums, meetings and conferences. The main Congress Hall on the ground floor seats 3082 people with a smaller Ceremonial Hall and Press Centre.
On the second floor, there are galleries of decorative and modern art, ethnography, archeology and anthropology.
The third floor houses a museum of the history of the city of Astana itself which is told through documents and displays.
Events:
International Festival “Operalia” featuring stars of world opera
July 5 at 19:00
Palace of Youth Creativity
The Palace of Youth Creativity is a major four-floor sports and cultural centre which was opened in 2011. On the first floor are facilities for track and field, two gyms, a swimming pool, ice rink, theatre hall, and dining room. The second floor contains an exhibition hall, internet centre and library. A basketball court, wrestling room, tennis hall, rehearsal rooms for orchestra, dance, choral and drama groups, and medical centre are on the third floor while the top floor has a planetarium with 170 seats as well as studios for dance, music, art, avideo theater studio and laboratories.
Events:
International Theatre Festival “Сахынадан сәлем!”
July 6, 7 at 18:30
Festive program “Айналайын Астанам, асқақ әнім”
July 7 at 11:00
Memorial complex “Kazakh Yeli”
The “Kazakh Yeli” monument and complex symbolises the modern history of Kazakhstan and its people.
The monument’s height of 91 meters marks 1991 when Kazakhstan became independent. Its marble base represents the purity of thought and inter-ethnic harmony of the people of Kazakhstan while on the top the sacred Samruk bird demonstrates people’s commitment to the further development and prosperity. At the base of the moment are four bronzes depicting the First President and the people of Kazakhstan; Bravery; Creation; and The Future.
The monument and surrounding area occupy eleven hectares and is surrounded by some of the country’s most significant buildings including the Independence Palace, Palace of Art “Shabyt,” the “Hadhrat Sultan” Mosque, the Palace of Peace and Concorde.
Events:
Folk festival and a concert
July 5, 6, 7 at 11:00
Fireworks
July 6 at 12:00 pm
National flag of Kazakhstan
The national flag of Kazakhstan is visible from across Astana, flying from a 111-metre flagpole located in the government district – Astana’s Left bank.
The 450 square metre flag, raised for the first time on July 5 2012, is the 4th largest national flag in the world, behind Turkmenistan, Jordan and North Korea.
Soaring at such a great height requires special attention. The flag’s extremely durable fabric was made in Turkey. The pattern is printed by the “Elorda-Zharnama” company, who are entrusted with maintaining the condition of the national flag.
The National flag of Kazakhstan is located near the ethno-memorial complex “Map of Kazakhstan “Atameken.”
Events:
The flag-raising ceremony
July 5 at 10:00
Hippodrome
Astana’s Hippodrome holds up to 2,600 people. The length of its racing track is 1800 meters, and its running track is 1600 meters. The Hippodrome is large enough to accommodate a 16 horse race. The track boasts a new photo finish system, will all the action live on agiant6x8 meter screen. The field is surrounded by safety fencing, and has all the facilities for world-class racing.
Events:
International horse racing competition for the “Cup of the President of Kazakhstan” and “World Cup”
July 5,6 at 10:00
Central Concert Hall“Kazakhstan”
The Central Concert Hall is Kazakhstan’s first metropolitan complex, and is equipped with state of the art technology. It’s designed for large events, such as celebrations and official meetings, concerts of international and local stars, conferences, presentations, meetings and exhibitions.
The Hall complex consists of 3 levels–a piazza lobby, the concert hall and a stage.
Events:
Concert dedicated to the creative work of Sh. Kaldayakov;
July 4 at 15:00 and at 19:00
Concert of Meyrambek Besbaev;
July 5 at 16:00 and 20:00
Retro concert “Astana – a dream to come true”
July 6 at 17:00
Concert of the “A-Studio” group
July 7 at 20:00
Congress Hall
Astana’s Congress Hall on the right bank of the Ishym is included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of national significance in 1982 and is protected by the state.
Events:
Festival of confectioners
July 4 at 10:00
Concert “Astanaga Tartu”
July 4 at 18:30
Gala Concert “An Juregim-Astana”
July 4 19:30
Humor and satire night “Konildy Astana”
July 6 at 20:00
“Nur-Astana” Mosque
Built in March 2005, the Nur-Astana Mosque has become a landmark in Astana. This elegant building is constructed from glass, concrete, steel, granite and alucobond. The mosque’s four minarets stand at 62 meters in height. The dome is covered with gold and is supported by eight beautifully ornate columns, featuring carved surah (part of the text of the Holy Quran). Inside, you will find a large hall, designed to accommodate over five thousand worshippers. The second floor balcony can allows for two thousand female worshippers. The total area of the mosque is approximately 4000 square metres.
Kazakh National Museum
Due to open officially in the summer of 2014, the Kazakh National Museum will be the largest in Central Asia at approximately 62 thousand square metres.
The museum will focus on archaeology, anthropology, the history of gold and other precious metals, and modern art.
The vast hall for exhibitions covers an area equivalent to 15 thousand square metres and will explore the key events in the history of Kazakhstan.
Public institution
“The library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Leader of the Nation”
Built as a library and archive of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, this stunning new building is a home to academic study. The library is designed to be a centre of research into Kazakhstan’s history, culture and society, as well as the initiatives and ideas of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The large, multifunctional building has a total area of 28 thousand square metres, consisting of 9 floors. The storage capacity in the library is the equivalent of two thousand shelving units. The library was officially opened on July 2, 2014.
Exhibition EXPO 2017 in Astana
Managing future energy demand is one the great challenges of the modern age, which is why “Energy of Future” was chosen as the theme of EXPO2017 in Astana.
This ambitious EXPO will explore how countries and companies can develop new energy technologies.
Astana won the right to host the 2017 International Specialized EXPO in 2012. In the last round of voting, the capital of Kazakhstan earned the majority of votes (103 out of 161), leaving behind its main opponent, the city of Liege in Belgium.
EXPO 2017 will sit in a 173 hectare site, with the exhibition centre itself over 25 hectares in size.
The total area of exhibition halls is 118, 620 square metres with over 95,400 square metres for service areas and 586,465 square metres for housing. The Expo area can accommodate close to a hundred pavilions of exhibiting countries and companies from around the world.
