Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

ASTANA – The art of Uzbek embroidery was presented at “The Heritage in Stitches” exhibition at the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana on March 19. For the first time, the public will see rare exhibits from Uzbekistan’s top museums, including the State Museum of Applied Art, the State Museum of Temurids History, the Samarkand…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates 90 years of Kazakh poet Tumanbai Moldagaliyev on March 20, revered for love and nature-themed works, including Kazakhstan’s first national anthem. Through his poetic mastery, he captured the beauty of nature, the depth of human emotions, and the spirit of the Kazakh people, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that endures…

ASTANA – On National Sports Day, celebrated on March 20 as part of the ten-day Nauryz festivities, The Astana Times highlights eagle hunting—an ancient traditional sport that continues to hold its rightful place in Kazakh culture. It all begins with kansonar, the period after snowfall that creates ideal conditions for hunters. Fresh snow reveals the…

ASTANA – A new documentary film about the life of the eldest son of Genghis Khan, Joshy Khan, premiered in Astana on March 17. The feature-length documentary, titled “Joshy Khan. The Ruler of the Great Ulus,” provides an expansive look at the life of Joshy Khan. It describes the turbulent political contexts that marked his…

ASTANA – Over the last three years Kazakhstan has undertaken large-scale political, economic and social reforms aimed at building Just Kazakhstan: from modernizing the governance system to improving the welfare of citizens and developing a competitive economy. So what do these reforms entail? The Astana Times offers an overview of the major initiatives by President…

ASTANA – Kazakh journalist and documentary producer Maya Bekbayeva explores a thrilling account of Joshy Khan, Genghis Khan’s eldest son, his life and contribution to the formation of Kazakh statehood in her new book, “Joshy Khan. Ruler of the Great Ulus.”  In an interview with The Astana Times, Bekbayeva shared her experience writing about Joshy…

ASTANA – No matter how advanced technology becomes, artificial intelligence (AI) will never replace true artists for its human touch, spirit, and unique energy that breathe life into real art, said renowned Kazakh painter Alpysbai Kazgulov in an interview with Kazinform news agency. Kazgulov, a master of abstract painting, devoted 48 years to this endeavor,…

ASTANA – The prospects and priorities of the partnership program between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Kazakhstan in sustainable water resources management and irrigation were discussed at a roundtable held on March 6 in Astana. Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, spoke…

ASTANA – The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan has played a key role in preserving harmony and unity in the country, becoming a vital foundation for peace, said Marat Azilkhanov, deputy chairman and head of the secretariat of the assembly, during a roundtable dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the assembly in Astana on…

ASTANA – A traveling couple from the United Kingdom, Silke and Kieran, are captivated by Kazakhstan’s diverse nature, vibrant cities and the unmatched hospitality of local people. In an interview with The Astana Times, they shared the joys and adventures of traveling through Kazakhstan. The Scottish couple set out for a 10-year honeymoon world trip…

ASTANA – Kazakh scientist Nurzada Amangeldy is developing a project that will translate sign language into Kazakh using artificial intelligence (AI) in hopes of changing life for the hard-of-hearing community in Kazakhstan. Amangeldy was born in Mongolia. She moved to Kazakhstan with her family after the country gained independence. She is now carrying on her…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing to revise its production sharing agreements (PSAs) with major foreign oil companies, securing more favorable terms for the country and meeting domestic demand, experts say. Kazakhstan’s primary oil production comes from the Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak oil fields, which were developed in partnership with leading international oil companies. The Tengizchevroil…

ASTANA – The recent report by Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center assessed the state of water security across the five Central Asian countries, encouraging increased regional cooperation, improved state-level water management and infrastructure investment during the report presentation on Feb. 7. The report, titled Water Insecurity in Central Asia: The Imperative for Regional and International Cooperation, …

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first all-female orchestra founders are convinced that music and solidarity can help Kazakh women follow their passion for art and defy the conventions of women’s traditional roles in society. Four talented women, cellist Botagoz Kaliyeva, violinist Madina Bekmadiyeva, composer Shyryn Bazarkulova, and singer Jordan Arakelyan united with the idea to start a…

ASTANA – Kazakh statesman and scholar Darkhan Kydyrali presented a collection of his books on common Turkic history, “Daşa Yazılan Tarix” (History Written on Stone), translated into Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz, Russian, and Turkish languages in Astana on Feb. 6. “One of the books is dedicated to the Kazakh public and political figure Mustafa Shokai. The themes…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first shipment of crude oil from the Kashagan field via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline signals a growing partnership between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, with the potential to expand volumes. At the end of January, Kazakhstan shipped its first batch of Kashagan oil, a volume of around 6,000 tons, through BTC. Experts from Azerbaijan…

ASTANA – Investment in education could be a powerful catalyst for economic growth, said Dossym Besbay, an entrepreneur in education and medicine and founder of the EPG Human Capital Development Fund. The expanded government meeting on Jan. 28, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, outlined economic diversification and attracting investments as key government priorities. Improving education…

ASTANA – Renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen announced the date of his new song “Love’s Not Over Yet,” which will be released on March 7, he said on his official YouTube channel. The song was specifically written to complement Qudaibergen’s unique voice by an international team led by two-time Grammy-winning producer and composer Walter Afanasieff.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) is undergoing a major shift, moving from solely raw material extraction to projects focused on domestic processing, said Yernar Serik, an expert on trade and investment policy and the author of Tradereport.kz analytical Telegram channel. During the expanded government meeting on Jan. 28, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan shipped the first crude oil produced at the Kashagan field to Baku to deliver through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline on Jan. 27, reported KazMunayGas’s (KMG) press service.   The first batch of Kashagan oil, in the volume of around 6,000 tons, was loaded on the Taraz oil tanker at the Aktau port on…

ASTANA – The Burabai national park might not top everybody’s winter holiday list, but with fewer crowds and crisp air, it offers a great place to continue the outdoor season, with just a short trip from Astana. Do not be put off by freezing temperatures. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as…

What is the key to a happy marriage? Love for one another might be the most common answer. But a recent study by the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development (KIPD) reveals that parents still play a big role in many important marriage decisions, from wedding preparations to financial allocation—all reliant on Kazakh traditions of honoring…

ASTANA—The new edition of Kazakhstan’s Red Book (the book of endangered species) will include 217 species, reported the Khabar news agency. The updated list excludes 19 species, including two species of mollusks and 17 species of insects. Meanwhile, 11 rare species, including the jungle cat, black vulture, and three scorpion species, have been added. The…

ASTANA – The population growth alongside the expanding young workforce reflects the strength of the Central Asian economy, studies show. Central Asian region’s population stands at 81 million, with growth at 3.7% annually from 2021. Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, accounting for 45% of the region’s total population, according to the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s gold and foreign exchange reserves reached $44.2 billion as of November, marking an increase of $8.3 billion, or 23.1%, compared to 2023, according to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, reported Kazinform news agency. Gold assets account for 57.2% or $25.3 billion. According to the World Gold Council, as of Jan. 6, Kazakhstan…