Holocaust Remembrance Day Observed in Astana

ASTANA – An evening event to honour the victims of the Holocaust was hosted in Astana on Jan. 27 at the National University of Arts. The event...


Chinese Embassy in Astana Hosts Spring Festival Gala

ASTANA – The Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan held a theatrical gala concert titled, “The Happy Spring Festival” on Jan. 30 at the Palace of Peace and Harmony....


Bakhyt Kairbekov Appointed as New Kazakhfilm President

ASTANA – The new head of the Kazakhfilm studio was presented at a Jan. 30 briefing of the Central Communication Services (CCS) dealing with the tasks of...


Projects to Advance Kazakh Space Industry Near Completion

Kazkosmos projects aimed at creating a space industry in Kazakhstan are nearing completion, according to Chairman of the Aerospace Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and...


Improving the Quality Control System of the Lighting Market in Kazakhstan

Today, the lighting market has changed significantly. When we go to the store, it’s not only incandescent lamps we can buy; in fact, these kinds of lamps...


Awards Established to Increase Science and Literature Innovation

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently signed a decree introducing the new Al-Farabi State Science and Technology Award and the State Award in Literature and Art,...


UNDP’s 2014 Human Development Report Says Kazakhstan Improving

Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Munkhtuya Altangerel presented findings from Human Development Report 2014 “Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience” at...


UN Special Rapporteur on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly Praises Cooperation of Kazakh Government, Provides Initial Recommendations on Improvements Needed

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has made “admirable progress” since independence, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association Maina Kiai said in a Jan. 27 statement...


EU-Funded Small Grants Programme in Mangystau Aims to Engage Citizens in Environmental Action

A new grant programme in Mangystau region will put money in the hands of the region’s citizens for projects to solve local environmental problems. The programme aims...


Air Astana Introduces Economy Sleeper Class

ASTANA – Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, announced the launch of a new economy sleeper class beginning Feb. 3 on selected international flights, including between Astana and...


TV Channel Featuring Only Kazakh Music Gains in Popularity

ALMATY – Gakku TV (gakku means “swan” in Kazakh), a new channel that exclusively broadcasts Kazakh singers, has gained great popularity since it was launched in September...


Oil and Russia: Twin Shocks for the Caucasus and Central Asia

The Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) will be challenged in 2015 by the double shock of lower oil prices and the economic recession in Russia. Oil prices...


Senate Defines Kazakhstan’s Youth Policy, Seeks Youth Participation in Country’s Political Life

ASTANA – The Jan. 22 Senate plenary session established a new basis for youth policy in Kazakhstan, approving a draft law “On State Youth Policy of the...


Eurasian Economic Union Beneficial for both Region and China, Beijing’s Envoy Says

In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Kazakhstan, spoke about the current state of the bilateral cooperation...


Fighting the Causes of Corruption

In this interview first published in Liter newspaper, former Minister of Internal Affairs and former Secretary of the Security Council, current Mazhlis deputy, member of the ruling...


Kulanshi Art Gallery Prepares New Programmes for 2015

ASTANA – As of Jan. 24, the Kulanshi Modern Art Centre, located on the 6th floor of Astana’s Palace of Peace and Accord, is welcoming visitors to...


Almaty Needs to Tackle Environmental Issues if It Is to Host Olympic Games

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Almaty and the ecology of the candidate city were on the agenda of a recent press conference held at the Almaty City...


Around Astana, When the Winter Gets Tough, the Tough Put on Snowshoes

GAITHERSBURG, MD – In Astana’s six months of winter, a hardy few have decided to embrace their flat, cold, powdery environs and take up an activity that...


Khorgos – East Gate Free Economic Zone Meets Expectations, Growth Expected

On July 2, 2014, during a national teleconference, President Nursultan Nazarbayev initiated the construction of Khorgos – East Gate Free Economic Zone (FEZ) on the Chinese border....


Why Celebrate 550 Years of Kazakh Statehood?

Words, particularly names, can have a great power. As the title suggests, this newspaper is written, edited and printed in Astana. The name of this city, as...


Barys Players Do Well in Continental Hockey League All-Star Game

Hockey’s two premier leagues, the Continental Hockey League (KHL) and the National Hockey League, conducted All-Star Games on Jan. 25. Forward Nigel Dawes and defender Mike Lundin...


Astana Arlans Beat Polish Hussars at Home

Astana Arlans, the team representing Kazakhstan in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), continued its winning streak on Jan. 24 by beating Hussars of Poland. In the...


Shymkent Seeks UNESCO Recognition As 2,200-Year-Old City

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s third largest city, Shymkent, will seek an official recognition from the relevant UN body that it is 2,200 years old, according to the city...


Almaty Prepares to Host International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission, Mayor Stands behind the Value of City’s Bid

Almaty submitted its candidature filesto the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Jan 6.   “It is important for Almaty to...


Prime Minister Attends World Economic Forum in Davos, Signs Country Agreement with OECD

DAVOS – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov signed a memorandum of understanding between the Kazakh government and the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on...


British Journalist Retraces Journey of Pioneering English Explorers in Kazakhstan

GAITHERSBURG, MD – A British journalist is hoping to rekindle interest in two early European travellers to Kazakhstan, retracing some of their 19th century journeys in the...


Modernised Centres for Servicing the Population Make Services More Accessible

ASTANA – Among the most successful reforms the Kazakh government has implemented in the last decade, experts often name the establishment of an extensive network of Centres...


Deaf Kazakh Gesture Singers Take First Place at International Competition

The House of Culture at the Kazakhstan Deaf Society made news at the recent international Singing Costa Brava competition in Spain. The small Spanish town of Lloret...


Bayanaul: Land of Legends

PAVLODAR –There is a wonderful place in the Pavlodar region where the name of each mountain or cliff, lake or pass is associated with olden times and...


Kazakhstan Urges Peaceful Resolution to Ukraine Conflict, Reiterates Minsk Agreements

ASTANA – Kazakhstan expresses “grave concern with the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, especially with the facts of shelling that led to the deaths of civilians,”...