Astana Arlans Kick Off World Boxing Series with New Roster
On the threshold of the Rio Olympics in 2016 and as athletes vied for slots at the World Series of Boxing (WSB), Astana Arlans Head Coach Marat Dzhakiyev stated that the team’s ultimate goal is to “be useful to the country.” The comment was part of a recent interview released by the club’s press service…
Almaty Submits 2022 Winter Olympic Bid Report, Seeks Cost-Effective Ways to Host Games
The delegations from Almaty and Beijing, the 2022 Winter Olympic Games candidate cities, presented their three-volume bid books in Lausanne, Switzerland Jan. 6 for consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “Our 2022 candidature file is a chance for the world to experience what we have always known: Almaty is a modern, beautiful city graced…
Visa-Free Regime to Yield Manifold Increase in Kazakhstan, South Korea Travel
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s continued efforts to promote multi-directional foreign policy by introducing a visa-free regime in 2014 with 10 countries which are big investors in its economy were not futile. In response, some of those countries have facilitated their visa procedures and some even went as far as cancelling visa-related constraints to boost the travel…
Free Ice Skating Draws Crowds in Astana
ASTANA — Relatively mild winter temperatures this year in Astana have allowed city residents to enjoy the city’s outdoor ice skating facilities. “We wanted to enjoy every [moment] of this winter. It is abnormally warm for Astana,” said 30-year-old Yerbolat Uatkhan, who brings his family to the Rowing Channel behind the Kazakhstan Ice Hockey Arena,…
Spanish FC Astana 1964 Director Develops Football in Kazakhstan, Feels at Home in the Country
ASTANA – Miquel Riera, the international sport director of FC (Football Club) Astana 1964, seeks to promote Kazakh players in Europe, especially in Spain. He has worked as a football agent for many teams in Europe and represented many players in the European leagues. The Astana Times recently interviewed the Spaniard to identify his future…
Assyrian Community in Kazakhstan Survived Dark Times, Now Focuses on Education
ASTANA – Among the numerous nationalities that live in Kazakhstan, there is a very small community that has lived through some of history’s darkest times to preserve their language and cultural heritage. Today, there are only about 350 of them left in the country. Their origins lie in historical Mesopotamia, the birthplace of the ancient…
Nuclear, Other Energy Sector Agreements Reached during Chinese Premier’s Visit
ASTANA – Several important memoranda, including a memorandum to deepen atomic cooperation, were signed Dec. 14 during the official meeting of the Kazakh-Chinese Council, where Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov met with the Chinese Premier of State Council Li Keqiang. KazAtomProm, the national atomic company, and the Chinese General Nuclear Energy Corporation signed a document…
Kazakh Wins Women’s Mogul Freestyle World Cup in Finland
Yulia Galysheva of Kazakhstan won the gold medal in dual moguls at the freestyle skiing World Cup races Dec. 13 in Ruka, Finland. Galysheva finished ahead of Olympic champion and bronze medallist in Sochi 2014 Hannah Kearney of the U.S. in the semis and beat the silver medallist in Sochi 2014 Chloe Dufour-Lapointe of Canada…
Rixos Astana Celebrates International Tango Day with Party
ASTANA – Rixos President Astana held a Friend’s Party for partners and colleagues Dec. 11 as a way to show gratitude for their camaraderie and cooperation. The loyal friends of the hotel had the chance to witness tango master classes, music and shows and even won prizes through a drawing at the end of the…
Kazakhstan’s First Female Formula 3 Racer Ambitious about Next Season
Almaty-born Kazakh racer Lyubov Andreyeva, who recently turned 18, is hopeful about next year after the Nov. 26 season finale in Sochi, Russia. In her debut year, Andreyeva managed to finish seventh overall with a record top speed of 230 kilometres per hour in Sochi, a result that surprised even her own coaches. The young…
Future of Energy Market, Kazakhstan’s Energy Policy Discussed at 25th Energy Charter Conference in Astana
ASTANA – The future of the international energy market and global energy management systems, as well as a review of Kazakhstan’s energy saving and energy efficiency policies, were on the agenda at the 25th Energy Charter Conference, held in Astana’s Rixos hotel on Nov. 26 and 27. Kazakhstan is chairing the conference now. Vice President…
Dungans Are Active Members of Kazakh Society, Says Community Leader
ASTANA – There has always been enough room for all nationalities within the multi-ethnic and multicultural community of Kazakhstan. Throughout history, Kazakhs have demonstrated tolerance and compassion towards peoples seeking refuge in the nation from their rulers; at one point from Soviets, at others from Chinese. The Astana Times recently interviewed the Chairman of the…
Almaty’s Kairat Captures Kazakh Football Cup
Almaty’s Kairat defeated Aktobe 4:1 on Nov. 22 to claim the Kazakh Football Cup in Astana Arena. Aktobe scored first in the 19th minute, but Kairat’s Yury Logvinenko tied the score in the 29th minute. One minute later, Kairat took the lead with a goal by Cote d’Ivoire’s Gerard Gohou. Almaty appeared to score another…
Modernisation Increases Production at Petropavlovsk Milk Factory
The MolProduct milk factory in Petropavlovsk has increased its output to 60,000 tonnes since the beginning of the year. “We produce 25 sorts of milk with different percentages of fat. The product is in demand in Kazakhstan and Russia as well. We exported to bordering regions in Russia some 15,000 tonnes out of 60,000 that…
Group Works to Preserve Polish Heritage in Kazakhstan, Honour Poles’ New Motherland
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a multicultural country with more than 130 nationalities living within its borders. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) helps these ethnic groups to unite, pursue their cultural values and traditions and preserve their language. The Astana Times interviewed Yelena Rogovskaya, chairwoman of Polacy, a Polish ethnic group and public…
Ilyin Breaks Record to Become Four-Time Weightlifting World Champion
Two-time Olympic weightlifting gold medalist Ilya Ilyin of Kazakhstan set a new world record Nov. 15 in Almaty en route to winning his fourth Weightlifting World Championship. Ilyin snatched first place from Uzbek Ruslan Nurudinov, who minutes earlier had set a new record. Nurudinov eventually settled for silver with 432 kilogrammes (snatch 193 kg +…
Petropavlovsk Police, Students Dance to Promote Law and Order
The local Petropavlovsk police department recently organised a flash mob of 100 schoolchildren to help promote law and order. “For half an hour, more than 100 students from different schools in the same rhythm were dancing to popular hits of domestic and foreign musicians. We are happy that this time the children responded to our…
Kazakh Metallurgical Companies to Exhibit in Moscow
Kazakh metallurgical companies on behalf of the National Export and Investments agency KAZNEX INVEST are among 750 presenters at the Nov. 11-14 20th Metal-Expo 2014 in Moscow. Companies from more than 35 countries, totaling approximately 30,000 participants, are presenting cutting-edge metal products and technologies. The Kazakh companies are being presented as one display, as they…
Astana Club Wins First Kazakh National Football Title
ASTANA – The capital’s football club Astana defeated Kaisar from Kyzylorda 3-0 on Nov. 1 to capture their first Kazakhstan national title early with one game left in the regular season. Astana’s Patrick Twumasi of Ghana opened the scoring at the 14th minute followed by goals from teammates Foxi Kéthévoama and Dmitri Shomko. “It’s not…
Greek Association President Calls Kazakhstan ‘Unique Place’ for Its Hospitality
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy has long roots in history, as Kazakhs throughout time have been hospitable and giving. Even today, the country maintains a balanced stance among the Central Asian countries located among such diverse nations as China, Russia and, via the Caspian Sea, Iran. So Kazakhstan’s efforts to maintain a multicultural policy…
Debate Continues over Benefits of Hosting 2022 Winter Olympics
ASTANA – The question of whether or not hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics would be good for Kazakhstan has been much debated in social media as the July 31, 2015 deadline for the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the host city approaches. The question is particularly relevant as International Olympic Committee President…
Agreement Opens New Chapter in Japanese, Kazakh Economic Cooperation
Kazakhstan and Japan signed an agreement on the encouragement and mutual protection of investments at the fifth Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Astana on Oct. 23. The agreement is expected to deepen economic cooperation and aid the launch of new projects. One of the projects Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov would like to see…
Int’l Library Opens at Kazakh Humanities Law University
ASTANA – An international library, a concept sparked by a former cellmate of Nelson Mandela, was opened Oct. 21 at the Kazakh Humanities and Law University (KAZGUU). Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov, heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organisations participated in the official opening ceremony. The initial idea was communicated by…
Indonesian Ambassador Praises Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, Encourages B2B and G2G Cooperation
Since the most recent visit of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Indonesia in 2012, Kazakhstan and Indonesia have seen a trade surge that has tripled the two countries’ mutual imports and exports and has increased the number of the countries’ joint projects. Recently, Ambassador of Indonesia to Kazakhstan Foster Gultom discussed his professional journey to…
Weightlifting World Championship Almaty to Attract Almost 700 Athletes
Almaty is preparing to host 683 weightlifters from 75 countries for the Weightlifting World Championship Nov. 8-16 which will determine the strongest men and women on earth and also determine six Olympic slots for men and nine for women in at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. “This event is the most important sporting event…
