School of Medicine Building Opens at Nazarbayev University
ASTANA – A new building opened Jan. 25 at Nazarbayev University School of Medicine. Designed by leading American architectural firm Perkins + Will, the 39,825-square metre institute includes research and teaching laboratories, a simulation centre, anatomical laboratory, lecture halls, group study rooms, library and dining room. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with faculty and students…
US Audience Explores Kazakh Music, Traditional Instruments
ASTANA – KUSC, the Los Angeles-based classical music radio station, has released “A Breathtaking Musical Journey through Kazakhstan,” a four-part series produced by Adriana Cargill for Arts Alive. The programme focuses on “The Silent Steppe Cantata” created by Kazakh contemporary opera singer Timur (formerly known as Timur Bekbosunov) and acclaimed CalArts composer Anne LeBaron. Inspired…
Law Experts Evaluate Kazakhstan’s Judicial Reforms, Courtroom Technological Innovations
ASTANA – A monitoring report of the European Union (EU) Rule of Law Initiative for Central Asia pilot project was presented at a Jan. 26 seminar meeting in the capital. The event was held at the Supreme Court with the participation of regional court chairpersons and administrators and international experts, including German Ambassador Rolf Mafael,…
Kazakhstan’s Two Largest Banks Said to Hold Merger Talks
ASTANA – Halyk Bank recently announced it is indeed in discussions with Qazkom and the bank’s largest shareholder over a possible merger. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, reported the press service of Halyk Bank. The market reaction to a possible merger of the two largest banks in Kazakhstan was immediate. The…
Outcomes and Effects of National Anti-Corruption Strategies
ASTANA – Fighting corruption is one of the priorities of Kazakhstan’s 100 Concrete Steps programme, the massive reform project intended to accelerate the country’s development. The Astana Times spoke with Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption Agency Deputy Chairman Alik Shpekbayev about consistent, targeted actions against corruption held in the country. The agency plays the major…
Street Workout Federation Promotes Emerging Sport Open to Everyone
ASTANA – Street workout as a sports and social movement is recognised worldwide and surprisingly has a large number of supporters and leaders in a country where the cold weather season lasts for several months. The Astana Times interviewed Street Workout Federation Secretary General Askar Ismailov to learn why this type of sport is popular…
Shymkent-Based Plant to Produce Green Algae Superfoods Spirulina, Chlorella
ASTANA – The global superfood movement attracts an army of followers worldwide and Kazakhstan is no exception. In this sense, the Lotus Organics is a unique enterprise as this is one of two dozen companies in the world that manufacture patented biotechnological production strains based on algae bacteria. Located in the Ontustik industrial zone in…
Astana to Host Plácido Domingo’s Operalia Competition 2017
ASTANA – The Operalia, an annual international competition for young opera performers, will be held July 24–29 at the Astana Opera House in the capital. Founded in 1993 by great opera singer and conductor Plácido Domingo, the 25th competition is organised with the support of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sport. “The Astana Opera…
Museum Showcasing Almaty’s Rich History Opens
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a country with rich traditions and cultural heritage. Now, a new museum devoted to the history of Almaty city, displaying more than 40,000 exhibits and works of art opened its doors to the public in late December. The museum exposition consists of 11 halls, including “The ancient history of Almaty,” “Medieval…
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…
