Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

ALMATY – Crowds are converging to witness kokpar, a traditional Central Asian game known as “goat pulling,” but it needs to be popularized at a smaller scale to truly celebrate the cultural heritage, said Daniyar Daukey, experienced kokpar player and owner of a kokpar club in Almaty, in an interview with The Astana Times.  The…

ASTANA – With fairies in white dresses and Scottish men dancing in kilts, Astana Opera premiered August Bournonville’s 19th-century romantic ballet “La Sylphide” for the press on Sept. 28 in Astana. “La Sylphide” will be staged at the Astana Opera on Sept. 29-30 and Oct.1 and Oct. 3. Set to the music of Herman Severin…

ASTANA – Miras Zhiyenbayev, a leading expert of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), has presented his book “Widening the Scope: How Middle Powers are Changing Liberal Institutionalism,” which was included in the catalog of novelties of the United Nations (UN) Archives and Library on Sept. 26 in Astana. Zhiyenbayev is a specialist in…

ASTANA – On Sept. 28, Kazakhstan celebrates 80 years of Oralkhan Bokey, a gifted writer whose captivating stories intertwined the lives of Kazakh villagers with the untamed beauty of Kazakhstan’s eastern landscape. Born in Chingistai village of Katon-Karagai district in eastern Kazakhstan, Bokey was the only son among five daughters. He came from a family…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s animation industry is developing but needs to incorporate a greater range of animation tailored for adult audiences, said Anita Chernykh, the founder of the first Almaty Animation Festival, in an interview with Kazinform news agency. The event was held on Sept. 6-10 in Almaty.  About the festival The Almaty Animation Festival was…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first freestyle wrestling world champion, Rizabek Aitmukhan, received a triumphant return home, with fans, friends and family greeting him at Almaty International Airport on Sept. 21, reported Vesti.kz news agency. The 19-year-old Aitmukhan became the first Kazakh world champion in freestyle wrestling in the 92-kilogram weight category this year in Belgrade, Serbia.…

ASTANA – Industry experts emphasized the importance of optimizing green financing, engaging the private sector, and regional integration to facilitate a green transition in Kazakhstan and the region at the Energy Week Central Asia and Mongolia event on Sept. 19. The two-day event gathered government officials and energy companies from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan,…

NARYN, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC – Traveling to the Kyrgyz Republic offers the ultimate freedom of the great outdoors, and Lake Kel-Suu in the country’s south is among the most serene and picturesque destinations imaginable.  Whether a traveler is keen on backpacking with a tent or prefers renting a car, the following tips and guidance will ensure…

AKTAU – With its diverse nature and untouched landscapes, Kazakhstan is home to some of the world’s best travel treasures that still largely remain unseen by tourists, say participants of the Kazakhstan Tourism Development Forum that took place in Aktau on Sept. 15. According to Kairat Sadvakassov, the Deputy Chairman of the Kazakh Tourism National…

AKTAU – The Kazakhstan Tourism Development Forum concluded with several key proposals aimed at boosting the country’s tourism sector. The event provided a platform for collaboration between government agencies and the private sector, as stated by Ermek Marzhikpayev, Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports, during the forum’s final panel session on Sept. 15 in Aktau.…

AKTAU – Kazakh officials announced plans to expand the visa-free regime for nationals from 80 to 100 countries at the Kazakhstan Tourism Development Forum on Sept. 15 in Aktau. The forum brings together top foreign ministry and tourism officials, diplomats and business representatives to pave the way for the changes in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector. Kazakh…

ASTANA – The Kazakh film industry is on the rise, according to production companies who presented their films at the first international Eurasian Film Market that took place in Almaty on Sept. 11-14, reported Kazinform news agency. International film events serve as ideal opportunities for taking stock of the industry. This year’s Eurasian Film Market…

ASTANA – The Astana Opera raised its velvet curtain on Sept. 8, inaugurating its 11th season with the classic Kazakh opera “Abai,” composed by Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi, according to the opera’s press service. The ballet season will commence on Sept. 15 with Raimondo Rebeck’s choreography of “Cinderella,” followed by the premiere of Herman…

ASTANA – Constitution Day on Aug. 30 offers an opportunity to commemorate Bukhar Kalkamanuly, commonly known as Bukhar Zhyrau. He was not only a folk singer and improviser but also a key contributor to Kazakhstan’s first code of laws, Zheti Zhargy (Seven Charters). This year marks the 355th anniversary of his birth. Bukhar Zhyrau also…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is commemorating the 930th birthday of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a philosopher, poet and spiritual leader who founded the Sufi school across Central Asia. In the realm of Sufi Islam, Yasawi is both well-known and respected for his work called “Diwan-i Hikmet” (A Book of Wisdom). Written in poetic verses, the work delves…

ASTANA – Kazakh director Askhat Kuchinchirekov’s debut film “Bauryna Salu” (Adoption) has been selected to compete in the New Directors category of the 71st edition of the San Sebastián film festival, set to take place on Sept. 22-30 in Spain. Starring young actor Yersultan Yermanov, Kuchinchirekov’s film was shot in Kuigan and Tuyyk villages in…

ASTANA – The traditional Kazakh board game Togyzkumalak (nine pellets) is included in the program of the fifth World Nomad Games to be held in Astana in 2024, reported Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Sarsen Kuranbek at the Central Communications Service briefing. The board game also known as the “chess of the steppes” or…

ASTANA – The Constitutional Court has enacted a series of decisions that enshrine fundamental principles established within the Constitution to advance human rights in Kazakhstan, said Elvira Azimova, chairwoman of the Constitutional Court. In an interview with The Astana Times, she outlined the work carried out since the court’s establishment in January. Establishment of the…

AKMOLA REGION – A placid lake, welcoming pine woods, picturesque hike areas and the only butterfly museum in Kazakhstan defined a trip to Zerendi village as part of the Baitaq Zher (Vast Earth) project organized by the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia in partnership with Chevron in late July. A comfortable 240-kilometer ride on the…

KARAGANDY REGION – The museum of memory of victims of political repressions, known as Karlag (Karagandy corrective labor camp) museum, is housed in the original administrative building of one of Joseph Stalin’s largest Gulags (Main camp administration). The museum memorializes the victims of political repressions that took place in the 1930-1950s in Kazakhstan. It is…

ASTANA – With music festival season at its peak, it is the perfect time to present Kazakhstan’s top artists. From Q-pop (Qazaq-pop) and R&B to Kazakh rap, soul, indie music and DJs, music lovers all over the world can find their favorite contemporary Kazakh artists for any occasion. Dimash Kudaibergen When the world proclaimed Dimash…

AKMOLA REGION – For birdwatchers and nature-­lovers of all ages, the Korgalzhyn state nature reserve allows visitors to get close to a remarkable array of migratory birds and saiga antelopes without disturbing them. A comfortable 160-kilometer drive from Astana took a group of media representatives on tour on July 25 to the vast steppes and…

KARAGANDY – The city of Karagandy, Kazakhstan’s industrial powerhouse renowned for its highest quality coal, is a place with a rich history and diverse attractions to explore for a captivating weekend getaway. Almaty and Astana remain the most popular urban destinations in Kazakhstan, but the city of Karagandy, located within a three-hour drive from the…

ASTANA – Kazakh-Afghan Business Forum taking place on Aug. 3-5 in Astana is intended to strengthen trade and economic relations, providing opportunities for businesses across numerous sectors, including diversification of trade routes, said Kazakh officials at a press briefing on July 31. Kazakh Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kanat Tumysh and Vice-Minister of Trade and…

ASTANA – The first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Central Asian countries summit provides a promising model of region-to-region cooperation, which will give a new impetus to partnership, said Sanat Kushkumbayev, deputy director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), in an interview with The Astana Times. The summit, held in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)…