Kazakh Gymnastics Team Earns Historic Gold at Asian Championships
ASTANA – The Kazakh gymnastics team won the country’s first-ever gold medal in the group all-around event at the Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships held in Singapore on May 10-16, reported the Kazakhstan Gymnastics Federation’s press service. In the individual program, Akmaral Yerekesheva claimed two gold medals, while Aiganym Rysbek secured a silver in the team…
Tuyuk-Su Glacier Shrinks by Ten Meters in Decade
ASTANA – The Tuyuk-Su Glacier in the Northern Tien Shan has lost ten meters of thickness over the past 12 years, according to a recent survey by the UNESCO Central Asian Glaciology Center, reported Khabar news agency on May 12. In 2013, the glacier’s maximum thickness was 105 meters, but it now stands at just…
French Explorer Captures Kazakhstan’s Untamed Beauty
ASTANA – French filmmaker, photographer, and solo bicycle explorer Cédric Tassan has explored the unique landscapes of Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region by bike twice. His first journey in 2022 covered more than 600 kilometers solo. Earlier this year, he returned with fellow French cyclists to retrace his original route. In an interview with The Astana Times,…
Southeast Asia Rises as Favorite Vacation Spot for Kazakh Tourists
ASTANA – Travel abroad is becoming increasingly popular among Kazakh tourists, with a growing number opting for Southeast Asian destinations. According to industry experts, China has emerged as a top choice, with outbound tourism growing by 300%, followed by Vietnam with a 200% increase and Qatar with 160%. The surge in interest in Vietnam is…
Kazakhstan Invests in Science, But Will It Inspire Next Generation?
ASTANA – The development of science is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan, viewed as a key driver of economic growth. While the nation continues to invest in scientific research and seeks a broader global presence, the sector still grapples with deep-seated challenges, including limited funding and a lack of youth engagement. Science in numbers According…
Kazakh Deaf Dance Troupe Wins Big at International Festival in China
ASTANA – The Kazakh Sensitive Theater of deaf dancers claimed three Grand Prix awards at the second International Competition-Festival of Culture and Arts “Lace of Tianjin 2025,” held in China, from April 29 to May 3. Among 700 participants worldwide, the Kazakh team stood out, earning top honors for their Kazakh stylized dance “Amanat,” a…
Kazakhstan Unveils Digital Future for Subsoil Management
ASTANA – In a significant leap toward transparency and innovation, Kazakhstan has made its natural resources more accessible to global investors by removing intermediaries and digitizing subsoil management. The Astana Times spoke with Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Zhannat Dubirova to learn more about the subsoil use platform and how interactive mapping unlocks the…
Kazakhstan Celebrates Unity in Diversity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan marks the Day of Unity of the People on May 1, paying tribute to the country’s rich multicultural identity. Officially recognized as a state holiday since 1996, it brings together more than 150 ethnic groups living across the nation, emphasizing mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and the power of cultural diversity. The history…
Kazakh Saddle Maker Revives Centuries-Old Craft for New Generation
ASTANA – Kazakh craftsman Yerzhigit Toktaruly has spent over 20 years mastering the traditional Kazakh craft of saddle-making, working from his home in the Pavlodar Region. Toktaruly shares his creations on TikTok, where he has around 10,000 followers. He also shares step-by-step masterclasses, demonstrating how to make equestrian gear from start to finish. He welcomes…
Kazakhstan Drives Healthy Aging with Centers that Bring Purpose, Connection
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched a network of Active Longevity Centers nationwide to support the social integration of elderly adults and promote active lifestyle. These centers offer free cultural, creative, physical, and educational activities for retirees to improve physical and mental well-being. According to official figures, Kazakhstan’s aging index reached 31.1 in 2024, a 1.6…
Kazakhstan Marks 125th Anniversary of Writer Sabit Mukanov
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the 125th anniversary of Sabit Mukanov, a seminal figure in national literature on April 26. A master of multiple genres, Mukanov helped lay the foundation of 20th-century Kazakh culture and remains a revered voice in the country’s literary and intellectual history. Born in 1900 in the Zhambyl district of the North…
AI Project Lights Up Domestic Violence Cases in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched a digital project that uses artificial intelligence to track and visualize domestic violence cases in real-time. The project, called Svet Saltanat [the Light of Saltanat], was initiated by technology company Citix, a leader in digital outdoor advertising, and creative agency GForce Grey — the first Central Asian winner of the…
Kazakhstan Celebrates First National Book Day, Promoting Reading and Literary Culture
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated its first-ever National Book Day on April 23, a milestone event to promote a reading culture, raise literacy rates, and highlight the value of libraries and books in society. The initiative seeks to inspire people of all ages to rediscover the joy of reading in an increasingly digital world. President Kassym-Jomart…
Discover Kazakhstan’s Unique Wedding Traditions
ASTANA – In Kazakhstan, a wedding is not a single event but a series of traditions observed before and after the ceremony. For Kazakhs, marriage is deeply rooted in customs that have been passed down for centuries, each carrying its meaning. One of the fundamental traditions Kazakhs follow is “adat,” which prohibits marriage between members…
Kazakhstan’s Special Center Transforms Future for Children with Autism
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s unique center for children with autism has become a lifeline for families, offering care, support, and a nurturing environment tailored to the needs of every child. Opened last year in the Kostanai Region, the center helps children adapt, grow and thrive. “Our center operates in two shifts and is designed for 200…
Kazakh Love Story Etched in Stone and Memory
ASTANA – While Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, introduced through Western culture, is widely celebrated in Kazakhstan, a homegrown celebration of love on April 15, known as Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan Sulu Day, is gaining traction. First marked in 2011, it honors the legendary love story from Kazakh folklore. Unlike the bustling chaos of mid-February, April…
Kazakh Eco-Activist Makes Conscious Consumption Trendy Again
ASTANA – Developing environmentally friendly habits and respect for nature should start at an early age, says Kamila Akimbekova, a Kazakh eco-blogger, influencer, and organizer of sustainable events. In an interview with The Astana Times, Akimbekova shared her journey into environmental activism, her passion for the Darmarka project, and her thoughts on whether people are…
Bozok Museum Offers Immersive Experience – WiFi Not Included
ASTANA – The Bozok Museum-Reserve has ambitious plans to become a major cultural and economic hub, enhancing tourism in Kazakhstan’s capital. Located near the Urker and Ilinka residential districts, the open-air museum will serve as both a historical attraction and a driver of local employment. Covering 412 hectares, the museum showcases medieval-style fortress structures, including…
New Exhibition Brings Mystic and Spiritual Experiences to Kazakh Capital
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital showcased “The Shaman’s Son” exhibition at Kulanshi Art Space, offering visitors an immersive experience where ancient ritualistic energy blends with contemporary interpretations of mysticism on April 3. Featuring the works of Nigerian artist Moses Zibor and Kazakh artist Saulet Zhanibek, the exhibition forms a cross-cultural dialogue rooted in a shared…
What’s Your Name? How Kazakh Names Reflect Identity and Heritage
ASTANA – In Kazakhstan, names are closely tied to traditions and customs, often carrying profound meanings. One distinctive aspect of Kazakh naming traditions is the custom of allowing a respected family member to choose a child’s name. While some names are traditional, others reflect important wishes, values, or even protective symbolism. There are thousands of…
How Kazakh Project Warms Premature Babies and Hearts Around World
ASTANA – For more than a decade, the 28 Loops Public Foundation has been supporting premature newborns in Kazakhstan by providing hand-knitted woolen clothing to help them retain warmth and conserve energy for survival. What started as a grassroots initiative has grown into an international movement, with volunteers in all major Kazakh cities and 13…
Kazakh Startup Challenges OpenAI and Google
ASTANA – Kazakh startup Higgsfield, which has attracted $16 million in investments, is emerging as a competitor to global tech giants OpenAI and Google, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev announced during a Mazhilis (the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament) meeting on April 2, reported Kazinform. “Higgsfield is a generative…
Kazakh Scholar Becomes First Vice President of Japanese University
ASTANA – Kazakh professor Serik Meirmanov has been appointed vice president of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), becoming the first Kazakh citizen to hold a senior leadership position at a Japanese university. He officially assumed the role on April 1, wrote Olzhas Berkinbayev, head of the press service at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher…
Kazakhstan Honors Nurgisa Tlendiyev’s Centennial
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the 100th anniversary of legendary composer and conductor Nurgisa Tlendiyev on April 1. Tlendiyev, known for his contributions to Kazakh music, composed over 500 works across various genres, including songs, kuis [traditional musical composition], romances, overtures, poems, cantatas, operas, and ballets. Born in 1925 in Shilikemer, Ili District of the Almaty…
Kazakhstan, Sweden Deepen Long-Standing Partnership, Unlock New Opportunities
ASTANA – As Kazakhstan and Sweden mark 33 years of diplomatic relations this April, Swedish Ambassador to Kazakhstan Ewa Ulrika Polano reflects on the growing partnership between the two nations. In an interview with The Astana Times, she highlighted key areas of cooperation—from trade and infrastructure to healthcare and education—while also emphasizing the role of…
