Articles by Zhazira Dyussembekova

Yessil Riverbed to be Reconstructed to Provide Flood Protection

ASTANA – Beginning this year, the city construction department is planning to implement 18 projects on the reconstruction of the Yessil riverbed to protect the capital from flooding. Completion of the work is dependent on funding allocation, reported astana.gov.kz, the city administration’s official website. The reconstruction plan includes several stages. The design of four facilities,…

Kcell Returns Money to Customers Resulting from Competition Law Violation

ASTANA – Kcell, one of Kazakhstan’s biggest cellular operators, received an order to return more than 1.5 billion tenge (US$8 million) to its customers as a result of violations of the competition law, according to an announcement by the country’s committee on regulation of natural monopolies and protection. Following consideration by the courts, including the…

Illustrations for Abai’s “The Book of Words” Gain Popularity in Social Networks

ASTANA – An anonymous author has created an Instagram account @abaicartoons with illustrated quotes from “The Book of Words” by famous Kazakh poet, philosopher, educator and founder of Kazakh written literature Abai Qunanbayuli. The account has gained over 6,000 followers since its launch in early July. Asignificant figure in Kazakh history, Abai translated the works…

Argentinean Artist Creates Giant Mural in Almaty

ASTANA – Argentinean artist Marina Zumi has created an amazing artwork on the walls of Kasteev’s School of Fine Arts and Technical Design in Almaty with the support of Tikkurila, the Finnish manufacturer of paints and lacquers. The building is decorated with the first and biggest mural in Central Asia. Named “Bright Childhood,” the artwork…

Australia Defeats Kazakhstan in Davis Cup Quarter Finals

ASTANA – Despite leading 2-0 the first day, the Kazakhstan national tennis team was unable to reach the Davis Cup semi-finals, losing 3-2 to host country Australia. The event was held July 17-19. The opening match on day one saw Mikhail Kukushkin beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Aleksandr Nedovyesov then defeated…

Astana Introduces New Bus Vehicles, Routes

ASTANA – Twenty-six busses in Kazakhstan’s capital changed their itinerary and more than 200 new passenger vehicles were put into operation on the existing city routes, according to astana.gov.kz, the city administration’s official website. The actions, taken to reduce the congestion of public transport, are part of the modernisation of the city’s transportation system. The…

Bolashak Association Launches Business Startup Contest

Astana – The Bolashak Fellows Association, the international scholarship launched by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 1993, announced the beginning of a startup contest for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 29. The information was released July 20 during a Central Communication Service press conference. The winners will receive cash grants to implement their projects – 7…

Young Artist Brings Turkic Culture to the World

ASTANA – Alibek Koylakayev, a leading designer-artist in one of the Astana souvenir companies, has been in Kazakhstan for only two years, but in that time has made a name for himself among local artists through his savvy use of the Internet and his willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. Born in Russia, Koylakayev found…