Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

ASTANA – Each summer in Kazakhstan, the blossoming lotus flowers become a news highlight, captivating both locals and international visitors. From mid-July, the Kigash-Shora River begins to be adorned with shades of pink and white as lotus flowers bloom, reaching their peak in August. Located in the Kurmangazy district of the Atyrau Region, close to…

ASTANA – Saty village in the Almaty Region was named one of the Best Tourism Villages 2023 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Oct.18 in Samarkand, reported Kazakh Tourism press service. Saty is located in the Kolsai kolderi (Kolsai lakes) national park which attracts tourists worldwide to the bluest and clearest waters…

ASTANA – The government is increasingly relying on the civil sector to provide more effective collective solutions to prevailing challenges, said Yerlan Koshanov, chairman of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan’s Parliament. His remarks came on the second day of the 11th Civil Forum in Astana on Oct. 19. “If there is no mutual…

ASTANA – The inauguration of the Central Asian branch of the Muslim Council of Elders in Astana on Oct. 11 will foster religious diplomacy and serve a catalyst towards peace, understanding and cooperation, said Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders in an interview with The Astana Times. The Muslim Council…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s civil community discussed key initiatives to advance the country’s progress towards its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the 11th Civil Forum in Astana on Oct. 18.    The forum, which is the largest civil dialogue platform in the country, gathered over 600 delegates from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), chairpersons of public councils, members of…

ASTANA – Astana Ballet symphony orchestra brought a fresh dynamic to traditional pieces by Kurmangazy, a renowned 19th-century Kazakh composer, during a concert in the Kazakh capital dedicated to his 205th anniversary on Oct. 14. “Kurmangazy is one of the most significant and important names in our history. We are confident that this concert will…

ASTANA – A leading American venture capitalist and co-founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) and Draper University Tim Draper commended Kazakhstan’s political freedom as an important step towards fostering creativity and business development, during a press briefing on the sidelines of the Digital Bridge international forum on Oct. 13. “In Kazakhstan, I’m seeing great freedom.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s partnership with SpaceX to provide 2,000 rural schools with internet is one of the major achievements of Digital Bridge, said Bagdat Mussin, Kazakh Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry during the briefing dedicated to preliminary achievements of the conference on Oct. 13 in Astana. More than 20,000 participants from at…

ASTANA – World religious leaders approved the development concept of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for the next ten years during the 21st session of the secretariat of the congress on Oct. 11 in Astana. “At the first stage of our forum’s activity from 2003 to 2023, the main goal was…

ASTANA – Religious leaders came together in Astana on Oct. 11 for the 21st session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to highlight the role of dialogue in an effort to address escalating conflicts. Opening the session, Maulen Ashimbayev, chairperson of the Senate, an upper chamber of the…

ASTANA – Kazakh accordionist Olzhas Nurlanov mesmerized the European audience with his profound performances during his September concerts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Germany, reported NF media. Nurlanov holds the 2021 world champion title among accordionists. As the winner of the 74th Coupe Mondiale international competition, he was invited to Bosnia and Herzegovina for…

ASTANA – Young artists, both professional and amateur, are reviving the ancient art of Kazakh embroidery, biz keste, by showcasing the appeal and value of this intricate craft in their works. Biz keste, translated as a chart made with a hook, is a traditional embroidery with colorful threads and one of the lasting representations of…

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…