Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – Steppe&World, the Kazakh publishing house, hosted a presentation of “The Bridge on the Drina,” a book by the world-renowned Serbian writer Ivo Andrić, translated into Kazakh, on April 20 as part of the Astana Eurasian Book Fair 2024. The novel was translated from Russian by Talasbek Asemkulov, a Kazakh writer, with editing by…

ASTANA – Throughout history, coins have functioned as the primary means of payment, providing evidence of currency circulation between countries. Kazakhstan not only issues regular coins for everyday transactions but also mints commemorative and collectible coins, which serve as integral tools in the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage.  The Kazakh National Bank minted its…

ASTANA – In 2023, over 9,000 people from Central Asian countries migrated to Kazakhstan, predominantly choosing to settle permanently. This trend is anticipated to persist this year, according to an analytical article in Kazinfrom. The largest number of migrants from the Kyrgyz Republic settled in the Almaty border regions, with 518 people, and in the…

ASTANA – Since the onset of the flooding, 111,194 people have been rescued and evacuated, with 39,222 of them being children, reported the Ministry of Emergency Situations on April 15. Aircraft rescued 3,575 people, including 1,157 children. At least 11,950 people have returned home, while 6,814 people, including 2,995 children, are currently housed in temporary…

ASTANA – The NextGen TechCamp of Central Asia, dedicated to strengthening the role of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), took place in the Kazakh capital on April 11-13. Organized by the United States Embassy in Kazakhstan, the event aimed to underscore efforts to advance women’s participation in STEM fields and promote economic…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the International Day of Human Space Flight on April 12, a commemoration established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011.  In Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, it is commonly referred to as Cosmonautics Day, celebrated since 1962. This date marks the historic flight of Yuriy Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut,…

ASTANA – Estonia views Kazakhstan as a significant player in Central Asia and aims to bolster cooperation in various sectors, including economy, education, and beyond, said Ambassador of Estonia, Toomas Tirs, in an interview with The Astana Times. Tirs elaborated on the historical connections between the two nations and the evolving dynamics of bilateral relations.…

ASTANA – The population of Central Asia has surged over the last three decades, exceeding 79 million people, with an average annual growth of one million in the past ten years alone. Despite challenges such as low living standards and high mortality rates, experts anticipate continued growth, projecting a population exceeding 100 million by 2050,…

ASTANA – Eight-year-old Malika Kabdylkhak is the first and youngest Kazakh child author to have her books featured on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing in the United States (US). She has published two illustrated stories in English on the global platform. Her mother, Akmarzhan Kasmaganbetova, discussed her daughter’s journey in an interview with Zakon.kz news agency.…

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times introduces a new series, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of Kazakhstan’s cities, starting with Zhezkazgan. By exploring each city’s unique history and culture, we aim to bring you closer to the heart and soul of Kazakhstan. ASTANA – Two years ago,…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information presented a project dubbed Qazaq Culture on March 29. The project aims to popularize Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage and promote the national brand, reported the ministry’s press service. The creation of the website represents a significant step in drawing global attention to Kazakh culture and its diversity. The platform encompasses…

ASTANA – The production of high-quality livestock products is directly linked to animal health, significantly influenced by environmental conditions. The use of environmentally friendly feed additives and fertilizers can promote sustainable agriculture practices in Kazakhstan, benefiting both animal and plant health. In an interview with Astana Times, Aizhan Kumisbekova, the operating director of Black Biotechnology,…

ASTANA – Lyazzat Kaltayeva, a member of Kazakhstan’s Senate, assumed the chairmanship of the Senate’s Council on Inclusion last year. In an interview with Kazinform news agency, she discussed the key aspects of an inclusive Kazakhstan and the recent advancements for people with disabilities. In 2023, Kazakhstan established the Inclusive Parliament parliamentary group and the…

ASTANA – March 20 marks the celebration of National Sports Day in Kazakhstan, dedicated to promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle while showcasing its integral role in the Kazakh culture. As part of the Nauryznama Decade, specific events are organized nationwide to showcase the diversity of national sports and participants’ skills. A special celebration…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of Culture and National Traditions on March 16, dedicated to promoting its culture, arts, and values. The day is part of the Nauryznama Decade, a new format of the Nauryz holiday celebration. Kazakhstan boasts a diverse population and cultural landscape, with various ethnic groups coexisting and contributing to its…

ASTANA – Kazakh Ed-Tech startup CodiPlay has signed a memorandum of strategic partnership with Artificially Intelligent Learning Assistant (AILA) to integrate advanced CodiPlay educational solutions into 200 schools in Saudi Arabia, reported the startup’s press service on March 11. The product’s introduction aligns with the key objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims…

ASTANA – The first eco-volunteer initiative, featuring the planting of saxaul seedlings on the Aral Sea’s bottom, took place in the Kyzylorda Region on March 1-3, reported the university’s press service.  The event was organized by the Almaty Management University (AlmaU) to revitalize the region’s ecosystem and protect it from the aftermath of the Aral…

ASTANA – The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) held a teleconference on Gratitude Day at the Friendship House in Astana. The event expressed gratitude to the citizens of Kazakhstan who contribute daily to civic and labor endeavors, fostering interethnic harmony, and advancing the country’s development. Addressing the participants, Murat Azilkhanov, the deputy chairman…

ASTANA – Novorybinka village in the Akkol district of the Akmola Region has become part of the unique 100 Villages project initiated by Sergey Tsyrulnikov, a Kazakh athlete with four Guinness World Records and an ambassador for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. In 2023, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recognized Tsyrulnikov’s philanthropic efforts because they were…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates Gratitude Day on March 1, emphasizing the importance of fostering unity among its diverse population. This day serves as an occasion for ethnic groups to express gratitude to one another and the Kazakh people for their hospitality, support, mercy, and compassion during the years when numerous populations were forcibly relocated to…

ASTANA – Deputy Agriculture Minister Azat Sultanov discussed Kazakhstan’s advancements in water-saving technologies and sustainable water resource management at the Global Water international exhibition, reported the ministry’s press service on Feb. 25. Sultanov emphasized the pressing need for water-saving technologies to enhance the efficiency of irrigated agriculture. These technologies are vital in reducing water consumption…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to invest 50 billion tenge ($110.7 million) in renewable energy sources in 2024. This allocation includes nine billion tenge ($19.9 million) for wind power stations, 13 billion tenge ($28.7 million) for solar power stations, and 28 billion tenge ($62 million) for hydroelectric power stations, reported Kazinform news agency on Feb. 26,…

ASTANA – The appointment of legendary boxer Gennadiy Golovkin as President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) marks a significant milestone in sports development in Kazakhstan. His candidacy garnered support during the committee congress on Feb. 26 in Astana, reported Sports.kz Golovkin succeeds Timur Kulibayev, who chaired the committee since 2015 and was re-elected in…

ASTANA – Kazakh pop star Dimash Kudaibergen announced the upcoming solo concert on May 24 in Istanbul, Türkiye, on his Instagram page on Feb. 19.  “I hope that on this evening we will become one and sing together with everyone who is passionate about creativity and whose beautiful hearts are full of kindness and light! I…

ASTANA – The first meeting of the coordination working group for the joint program of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the European Union (EU), and Kazakhstan took place on Feb. 23, focusing on the second component of the EU and United Nations’ support to Central Asian states and their citizens returning from conflict zones,…