Articles by Dana Omirgazy

Qatar is One of Kazakhstan’s Important Partners in Middle East, Says Tokayev

ASTANA – Qatar is an important partner of Kazakhstan in the Middle East, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during an Oct. 12 meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who arrived in Astana for a state visit on Oct. 11, reported the Akorda press service. The President thanked the Emir of…

Novak Djokovic Wins ATP 500 Astana Open in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The 21-time Grand Slam champion and the No. 4 seed from Serbia Novak Djokovic won the Astana Open trophy by defeating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No. 3 seed, 6-3, 6-4 on Oct. 9 in Astana, reported the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation’s press service. It was Djokovic’s ninth consecutive match victory. He won the title…

Kazakhstan Should Pursue Multi-Vector, Constructive Foreign Policy to Ensure Regional and Global Security, President Tokayev Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan should pursue balanced, multi-vector, constructive foreign policy to ensure regional and global security, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at an Oct. 6 forum of the people’s coalition in Astana, reported the Akorda press service. “Kazakhstan will unswervingly uphold principles of equality, democracy in international relations, international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter.…

President Tokayev Highlights Abai Region’s Vast Opportunities in Transit, Mining, and Trade During His Working Visit to Region

ASTANA – Since the beginning of the year, nearly $417.5 million were invested in the Abai region, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Sept. 30 meeting with the public of the region in Semei, reported the Akorda’s press service.   “Considering the people’s wishes, I established a separate region. This step will enable a quick resolution…

Kazakhstan’s Berik Aitzhanov, Daniyar Alshinov Win Best Actors Award at Venice International Film Festival

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh actors Berik Aitzhanov and Daniyar Alshinov won the Premio Bisato d’oro 2022 Best Actors award for their roles in “Goliath” at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, the film’s director Adilkhan Yerzhanov announced on his Sept. 9 Instagram post. The film “Goliath” participated in the festival’s Orizzonti Extra (New Horizons) competition program.…

Kazakhstan is Key Partner in Central Asia, Says EU Parliament Member

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is a key partner of the European Union (EU) in Central Asia, said Christian Sagartz, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament (EP) Sub-Committee on Human Rights, during his Aug. 22 meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, reported the ministry’s press service. Sagartz commended the political dialogue between Kazakhstan and the EU, particularly…

Eagle FC 50: MMA Legend Khabib Nurmagomedov Visits Nur-Sultan

NUR-SULTAN – Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov visited the Kazakh capital on Aug. 21 to participate in the Eagle Fighting Championship EFC 50, commonly known as Eagle FC. Eagle FC is a Russian mixed martial arts promotion company established in 2020 by Nurmagomedov. “Of course, Nur-Sultan has changed dramatically in the last five to…

Kazakhstan’s Largest Music Organization Inaugurates Project for Talented Children With Disabilities

NUR-SULTAN – Qazaqconcert state musical organization named after Roza Baglanova launched the Arman Asulary (Cherished Dream) project for children with disabilities, said Serik Nurmoldayev, the company’s deputy director, at an Aug. 8 press conference in Nur-Sultan. The first stage of the selection process is underway. According to Nurmoldayev, gifted children will get a chance to…

Kazakh Government Sets High Standards for Quality Education Project

NUR-SULTAN – The main objective of the national education project is to ensure equal access to quality education at all levels – preschool, school, technical and professional, and higher education, said Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at an Aug. 9 government meeting. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, schools that will accommodate 840,000 children are…

Architects Should Supervise Urban Design to Make Kazakh Cities Comfortable, Says President of Architects’ Union

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s Union of Architects called on the country’s leadership to legitimize the role of architects in urban planning, said President of the Union Serik Sultangali at a July 28 Central Communications Service briefing, reported the press service of the office. The union sent a letter outlining their proposals to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Sultangali…

Kazakh Cinema to Support Low-Budget and Debut Movies From Young Filmmakers

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Cinema will invest 5.6 billion tenge (US$11.7 million) in more than 60 film projects, said company’s Deputy Chair Baurzhan Shukenov, the Central Communications Service press office reported July 27. According to Shukenov, social impact films, including animation projects, will receive 4.95 billion tenge (US$10.3 million). Up to 500 million tenge (US$1…

Investment Projects to Provide More Than 2 Million Jobs by 2025

NUR-SULTAN – Investment projects will offer over 2 million new jobs by 2025, including 444,000 this year, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Yeraly Tugzhanov at a July 28 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the presidential press service. As of July 1, some 249,000 jobs have already been created. The pool of investment projects formed…

Air China to Launch Flights from Nur-Sultan to Chengdu

NUR-SULTAN – The Air China airline announced plans to launch Nur-Sultan-Chengdu regular flights from Aug. 7 on an Airbus 320, reported the press service of the Nur-Sultan International Airport on July 27. From Aug. 9, the Red Wings Russia’s air carrier will operate flights from Omsk to Nur-Sultan on a SSJ100 jet. Previously, the Red…

Kazakh Government to Support Businesses Through Grant Financing

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh entrepreneurs can apply for state funding as part of the National Entrepreneurship Development Project for 2021-2025 from Aug. 8, reported the press service of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population on July 25. Funds will be provided by the employment centers according to the decision of the…

BI Group IRONMAN Kazakhstan Returns After Two-Year Break

NUR-SULTAN – After a two-year break caused by pandemic restrictions, the BI Group IRONMAN Kazakhstan and the BI Group IRONMAN 70.3, Astana’s largest international triathlon tournament will gather 2,200 triathletes from 77 countries on Aug. 14 in Nur-Sultan, reported the press service of the Nur-Sultan akimat (city administration). Each race consists of three non-stop stages…

Kazakh Сapital to Host Asian Judo Championships 2022

NUR-SULTAN – Nur-Sultan will host the Asian Judo Championships 2022 among men and women on Aug. 4-7 at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, reported the National Olympic Committee. Some 208 competitors, including 118 men and 90 women from 21 countries will take part in individual and mix-team competitions. Eighteen athletes will represent Kazakhstan. “The…

Thirty-Two Kazakh Children Take Part in Planet of ART-2022 International Festival

NUR-SULTAN – Thirty-nine talented children from six countries performed at the July 23 gala concert as part of the Planet of ART-2022 international festival at the Aktobe Regional Gaziza Zhubanova Philharmonic. More than 3,000 children between 12-18 years of age from Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan took part…

Government Mandates Clean-Up Effort of National Parks and Resort Areas

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Yeraly Tugzhanov declared that the government would clean the territory of the national parks and resort areas from waste within one day and install additional containers for collecting solid household waste at a July 25 meeting on tourism development, reported the Prime Minister’s Office. Over the first seven months…

Fifteen Kazakh Women-Led IT Startups Selected For Incubation and Acceleration Program in Tashkent

NUR-SULTAN – Fifteen startup projects from Kazakhstan were selected at a pitch day on July 15 as part of the Tumaris. Tech international project aimed at promoting women’s initiatives in the information technology sector in Tashkent, the press service of the IT Park Uzbekistan reports. Out of 148 applications submitted from five Central Asian countries,…

Kazakhstan’s Alexey Lutsenko Enters Top 10 Ranking at 2022 Tour de France

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh cyclist Alexey Lutsenko, 29, entered top 10 in the general rankings as the Tour de France finishes July 25 with traditional stage 21 to the Champs Elysees in Paris. This year, Lutsenko ranks ninth. “I came to the Tour de France to compete again for a high result in the overall standings.…

EBRD Invests in Kazakhstan Railway Bonds to Upgrade Alternative Freight Route Between Asia and Europe

NUR-SULTAN – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced plans to invest 50 billion tenge (US$103.7 million) in the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) bond issue to be listed on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, reported the bank’s press service. The investment seeks to help the nation’s railway operator to strengthen financial and operational resilience…

QazaqGaz to Build Gas Processing Plant at Kashagan

NUR-SULTAN – The QazaqGaz National Company has started construction of a gas processing plant at Kashagan oil field with a projected capacity of 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas, said QazaqGaz Chairman Sanzhar Zharkeshov during a July 22 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according to the presidential press service. The company plans to expand…

Astana Ballet Closes Its Season with ‘Orpheus and Eurydice’ Premiere

NUR-SULTAN – The theatrical season of the Astana Ballet turned out to be eventful and rewarding, featuring 90 performances visited by 30,000 spectators, as well as engaging tours abroad, the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports reports. This season, the ballet troupe prepared and presented five premieres. These are the one-act…

Kazakh Film ‘A Dark, Dark Man’ Deserves to Be Experienced on Big-Screen, Says New York Times Review

NUR-SULTAN – The New York Times published a review of the Kazakh crime film “A Dark, Dark Man” directed by Adilkhan Yerzhanov on July 19. According to a critic, this police procedural is “clearly designed for big-screen immersion.” Its methods and themes also recall such acclaimed art-house titles as Bruno Dumont’s “Humanité,” Bong Joon Ho’s…

Kazakh Great Writer Mukhtar Auezov’s Bust Unveiled in Cholpon-Ata

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled a brand new bust to Kazakh writer Mukhtar Auezov as part of his visit to Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, according to the presidential press service. Tokayev left a note in the book of honored guests at the house-museum of the writer. The house of Mukhtar Auezov was built in 1959 in…