Kazakh Biologist Draws International Attention to Water Issues
ASTANA – Water is all you need. Water resources specialist Aiman Temirova is raising the issue of high water consumption in households and the agricultural and industrial sectors. This vital and precious natural resource will run out in the future, according to her studies, a topic of great interest at FameLab 2016, the biggest science…
World Universiade 2017 Unveils Torch Relay Route
ASTANA – The World Universiade 2017 torch relay will begin its journey in Kazakhstan by lighting the flame Jan. 25 in Astana. The flame will then continue to Ust-Kamenogorsk, Pavlodar, Kokshetau, Petropavlovsk, Kostanai and Karaganda Jan. 26 and Aktobe, Uralsk, Atyrau and Aktau Jan. 27. The route then continues to Kyzylorda, Shymkent, Taraz and Taldykorgan…
Kazakh Musicians to Present Concert in Paris
ASTANA – A gala concert featuring national and international works with the participation of Kazakh classical music masters will be held Dec. 17 in Paris. The 12 musicians, who have been recognised throughout the world and won numerous awards, currently reside in Rome, Vienna, London, Paris, Hannover and Maastricht. They have decided to gather and…
KazGeo Initiates Large-Scale Antarctic Expedition
ASTANA – The Independence Pole expedition, organised under the auspices of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and initiated by the Kazakh Geographic Society (KazGeo), started Dec.1. The participants intend to conquer Mount Vinson, the highest point in Antarctica, and hoist the national flag Dec. 16 in a campaign dedicated to the 25th anniversary…
Cosmetic Company’s Products Help Combat Kazakhstan’s Climate
ASTANA – The beauty industry has been significantly affected in recent years by sustainability trends as cosmetic companies have made attempts to become greener in terms of packaging, formulations and ingredients. Bioton, one of the leading Kazakh companies producing bioactive cosmetics based on natural components, is following this global movement. The company’s rejuvenation formula has…
Kazakhstan to Export 9 Million Tonnes of Wheat
ASTANA – Nine million tonnes of wheat will be shipped for export this year, Vice Minister of Agriculture Gulmira Issayeva announced at a Dec. 2 Central Communications Service briefing. “We set a goal to export 9 million tonnes of wheat in 2016. We are working on the shipment of the first batch of wheat to Vietnam…
Kid’s Clothing Entrepreneur Launches First Collection
ASTANA – The children’s clothing company Arman will present its first limited collection at the Junior Fashion Week show organised by the KZ Fashion School Agency Dec. 16-17. Their new special collection for children aged four to 12 is different from their previous ready-to-wear collections. Head of the company Zhanar Sarsenova launched Arman’s online store…
“Turandot” to Be Staged in Unusual Format at Astana Opera
ASTANA – “Turandot” will be performed for the first time in the new “opera quest” format at Astana Opera Dec. 1. The masterpiece by Giacomo Puccini will be presented as a three-act performance by the soloists, chorus and symphony orchestra of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre as part of their one-day visit to Astana.…
Ice Fishing: Wonderful Way to Enjoy Winter in Astana
ASTANA – Fishing is one of the most relaxing ways to spend the day, but for professional anglers it is more than just a leisure activity. It is sport, adrenaline and the warm company of like-minded people. The Astana Times interviewed experienced fisherman and capital resident Viktor Togusov to learn the advantages and why fishing…
Kazakh Auteur Filmmaking Focuses on Social Issues
ASTANA – In recent years, the Kazakh film industry has released a plethora of historical dramas, crime films, comedies and romantic pictures designed for a mass audience. Yet there are still a good number of films that sometimes do not meet viewers’ expectations and draw more attention at various festivals. The Astana Times interviewed well-known…
41 Million Tenge Allocated to Develop Tourism Cluster in Zhambyl Region
ASTANA – Forty-one million tenge (US$121,155) has been allocated for the initial stage of tourism development in the Zhambyl region as part of cooperation between local akimat (administration) and the regional Chamber of Entrepreneurs. The region has a potential for domestic and international tourism development due to a plethora of historical and archaeological monuments and…
Elementary School Teacher: School’s Core Values Remain Unchanged
ASTANA – The skills needed to be a role-model teacher include effective learning strategies, educational coaching and the benefits of loving what you do. The Astana Times interviewed elementary school teacher Yelena Fadeyeva to learn about solutions to these issues based on her classroom practices and nuances of teaching. Extensive teaching experience helped Fadeyeva develop…
External Risks to Kazakhstan’s Growth Remain, AIFC to be One of Silk Road Economic Belt’s Hubs, says EBRD
ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched its first inflation-linked tenge bond in Kazakhstan. The announcement was made by EBRD Director in Kazakhstan Janet Heckman Nov. 15 during presentation of the 2016-17 “Transition for all: Equal opportunities in an equal world” and Regional Economic Prospects reports. “In order to celebrate…
AIFC, Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office to Cooperate in Infrastructure Investment
ASTANA – The activities of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) were presented Nov. 8 at a high-level business seminar on Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) operations and projects in Hong Kong. The event was organised by the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office (IFFO) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. AIFC Managing Director Sayasat Nurbek said…
South African Adventurer and his Challenging Trip Bring Kazakhstan and His Nation Closer
ASTANA – Travelling keeps one’s mind open to new horizons and impressions. Experiencing other cultures promotes peaceful co-existence. South African traveller David Clinton Marcus and his exciting discoveries are a good example of a way to rise above social and geographic distances and see all people as one. In a five-year period, Marcus visited 69…
Kazakh Documentary Wins Special Prize at Russia’s Science Film Festival
ASTANA – “Dasht-i-Kipchak: Secret Signs,” a film directed by Bakhyt Kairbekov, received the Russian Geographical Society’s prize at the 11th International Science Film Festival World of Knowledge held Oct. 31- Nov.4 in St. Petersburg. The two-part documentary dedicated to the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate was released by the Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm Studio with…
Toll Roads to Bring 33 Billion Tenge to National Treasury by 2020
ASTANA – The gradual introduction of toll highways in Kazakhstan is projected to reduce the burden on the state budget and ensure self-sufficiency for road maintenance. The toll system is planned on all roads which passed reconstruction and modernisation, said Minister for Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek at the Nov.1 government meeting dedicated to transport…
Public Administration Academy Focuses on Practical Learning
ASTANA – Forming a professional and autonomous state apparatus was identified as the first reform of the 100 Concrete Steps Programme initiated by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2015. Fulfilling the reform will mean a shift to the career model of public service. The goal is to hire the most intelligent, talented and skilled workers…
Ice Skating Season Opens in Astana and Almaty
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s sharply-defined continental climate provides a marvellous opportunity to enjoy every season’s diversity. Winter activities are specifically exciting because of snowy weather, frosty air and fabulous sunshine. Great downhill rides, powder snow adventures and long-distance skating are the ideal setting for a family leisure scenario. Almaty has a worldwide reputation as the top…
Family Hospitality Tradition Keeps Kazakhstan Strong
ASTANA – Social isolation and the phenomenon of “living on your own” probably sound quite bizarre to most Kazakhs. The country’s nomadic background and adherence to a traditional lifestyle contribute to its historic preservation. Traditions are important, as they serve as the basis of a nation’s unity and harmony. Kazakh people are known to be…
Advanced Forensic Technologies to be Introduced in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Twenty-six employees of the Kazakh Ministry of Justice Forensic Science Centre completed scientific training at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2014-2016 as part of the Bolashak International Scholarship Programme. Interns at one of the leading British academic institutions shared their tips and plans to practice their knowledge in…
Four Billion Tenge to be Provided for New Ventures and Small Business Financing
ASTANA – Starting in November, the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund and Almaty akimat (city administration) will launch three regional programmes for the city’s small and medium-sized businesses. The total pool of four billion tenge (US$12 million) will be allocated for the tourism and food industries and innovation sphere. Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bauryzhan Baibek and Damu…
Kazakh Mountaineering Legend Coaches New Generation of Alpinists
ASTANA – Sport climbing has been officially included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Kazakh Mountaineering and Climbing Federation has received Olympic status and will now begin preparing athletes to participate in the Games. The Astana Times spoke with Kazbek Valiyev, the first Kazakh alpinist to conquer Mount Everest and president of the federation, to…
TEDx Speakers Seek Understanding through Social Initiatives
ASTANA – TEDxAstana Women, an independently-organised event devoted to ideas in technology, entertainment and design, will be held Oct. 29 in the capital. This year’s conference, “It’s about time,” will include a livestream from the global TEDWomen event. Lawyers, musicians, scholars, producers, journalists, entrepreneurs, photographers and historians – people from different spheres and backgrounds deliver…
Experts Call for More Attention to Equine-Assisted Therapy
ASTANA – Hippotherapy, or equine-assisted therapy, involves activities with horses to promote physical, occupational and emotional growth in individuals with special needs. Training specialists is an expensive business and requires the government funding provided in many countries. The problem in Kazakhstan is that one stable is not able to work with all the patients and…
