Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

ASTANA – From fresh milk to its fermented state and finally as a sublimated powder, scientists reveal why mare’s milk should be on everyone’s plate, as they addressed the scientific conference on Sept. 11 in Astana as part of the fifth World Nomad Games. Mare’s milk – food with a long history Horses have long…

ASTANA – The copy of a valuable manuscript related to the history of Kazakhstan found in France was published by the National Center of Manuscripts and Rare Books, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information on Sept. 18. “Selected Chronicles” is a historical work by Mu’in ad Din Natanzi, written in Shiraz in 1413…

ASTANA – The Kazakh film “Aikai” (Scream) won the Best Screenplay award at the ImagineIndia International Film Festival, held in Spain from Sept. 1-16, reported Kazinform news agency. The film triumphed over 70 other entries in the festival’s competition. Directed by Kenzhebek Shaikakov, “Aikai” tells the story of the victims of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test…

ASTANA – Two Amur tigers from the Netherlands will be brought to Kazakhstan by the end of September to revive the local population, said Kazakh Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev at the plenary session of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament on Sept. 18. The Kazakh government is implementing a project…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Georgia agreed to strengthen cooperation in developing the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Route (TITR) during the meeting of Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Georgian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili on Sept. 19 in Astana. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, both countries’…

ASTANA — The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) affirmed its commitment to expanding and strengthening cooperation with Kazakhstan to promote sustainable infrastructure development during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Nurlan Baibazarov on Sept.19 in Astana, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.   Baibazarov, who also serves as AIIB…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General Berik Assylov reported the recovery of assets totaling 262 billion tenge (US$548 million), including $205 million from abroad, during his presentation to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Sept. 19, reported Akorda. Property and shares in enterprises worth 82 billion tenge (US$171 million) were transferred to the asset management company. Agreements for…

ASTANA — Almaty launched the Green School environmental project among educational institutions. The project aims to raise schoolchildren’s environmental awareness and popularize the separate collection of solid domestic waste. It will run from Sept. 19 to Dec. 10. The Green School project has developed a special rating system that will evaluate schools monthly according to…

ASTANA – International Peace Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 21. The Astana Times spoke with political analysts to reflect on Kazakhstan’s peace initiatives and diplomatic efforts in peacemaking over the years ahead of the participation of Kazakhstan’s delegation at the United Nations General Assembly. Kazakhstan’s international diplomatic efforts in peacekeeping  Political analyst Erik Batyrkhanov…

ASTANA – The fifth World Nomad Games concluded on Sept. 13, with Kazakhstan securing the top spot on the medal table. In a record-breakingly successful World Nomad Games, Kazakhstan claimed a total of 112 medals, including 43 gold, 32 silver, and 37 bronze. The Kyrgyz Republic secured second place with 65 medals, while Uzbekistan finished…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan emerges a winner in an exciting final of kokpar, a traditional “goat pulling” game on horses, on day five of the fifth World Nomad Games on Sept. 12.  Kazakh and Kyrgyz teams geared up for their ultimate clash in kokpar, providing spectators a captivating game full of unexpected twists and last-minute scores.…

ASTANA – The President of the 42nd session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s General Conference and Romanian Ambassador, Simona-Mirela Miculescu, has stressed the importance of the World Nomad Games in promoting peace and preserving cultural heritage worldwide in an interview with The Astana Times. Nomad Games – majestic event Miculescu…

ASTANA – The international scientific and practical conference, titled Nomads: History, Knowledge, Lessons, kicked off in Astana on Sept. 9, as part of the scientific program for the fifth World Nomad Games. The first day of the three-day conference seeks to explore nomadic history and culture. The second day will focus on sports science, while…

ASTANA—The red dress of the Urzhar Priestess, a noblewoman from the fourth to third centuries BC, is evidence of the symbolism and significance attributed to the color red at that time. The specialists of the Ostrov Krym scientific restoration laboratory discovered the tomb in 2013 in the Urzhar district of the East Kazakhstan Region. Based…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s prominent cyclist Alexandr Vinokurov advocates for nurturing local talent within the professional cycling scene while managing the challenges of sustaining the Astana Qazaqstan Team, which is composed of international cyclists. In an interview with The Astana Times, Vinokurov, the winner of the 2006 Vuelta a España and 2012 Olympic champion in the group race,…

ASTANA – As traditional archers, wrestlers and racers from around the world gather in Astana ahead of the fifth Word Nomad Games starting this weekend, here is key information and updates from the grand event coming to the Kazakh capital. With 2,430 participants from 89 countries, including Australia and South America, these games are anticipated…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan commemorates the day its constitution came into effect on Aug. 30. On this date in 1995, the fundamental law of Kazakhstan was adopted at a national referendum. This document replaced the first 1993 Constitution, introducing a strong presidential system with considerable executive powers. It was a significant step in consolidating the country’s sovereignty and…

ASTANA – Semipalatinsk nuclear test site survivors recall the devastating human cost of the Soviet-run nuclear tests that they still bear in a documentary called “I Want to Live On: the Untold Stories of the Polygon” during the public screening in Astana on Aug. 28. Directed by Alimzhan Akhmetov and Assel Akhmetova, the documentary is…

ASTANA – KazAtomExpo international exhibition dedicated to nuclear technology and nuclear power took place in Astana on Aug. 27-28, as Kazakhstan explores alternative forms of clean energy in pursuit of energy security and carbon neutrality goals. The dual pressures of the energy crisis and the pursuit of net-zero emissions have sparked discussions on the benefits…

ASTANA – Danish author Leonora van Deurs’s historical fantasy novel “Botai – Shadowpath” based on Kazakhstan’s Botai culture of first horse breeders is a unique piece that bridges the present and past, science and fiction, and Danish and Kazakh cultures. Following its debut in Copenhagen in January, the author visited Kazakhstan, the land where the…

ASTANA – The fifth World Nomad Games in September will once again celebrate the rich tradition of nomadic culture while embracing what is best in others. Over seven days, participants from 89 countries will compete in 21 sports ranging from archery and race to wrestling and tug of war, as well as traditional games of…

ASTANA – Nearly 60,000 children aged 0-17 years across five countries in Central Asia live in residential care, according to a new policy brief published by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Aug. 15. Despite the well-known and devastating impact of family separation and child institutionalization, there are an estimated 203 children for every…

ASTANA—With three United Nations (UN) environmental Conferences of Parties (COPs) coming up this year, this is a fitting moment to assess the true legacy of the Rio Conventions on Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Desertification in Central Asia. The Rio Conventions derive directly from the 1992 Earth Summit. While each treaty stands independently, they remain intricately…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates 190 years of Birzhan-sal Kozhagululy, a prominent poet and aitys artist, which refers to the Kazakh literary tradition of impromptu. He emerged as a leading voice against the prevailing patriarchal customs and violence perpetuated by local governors in the Kazakh steppe of the late 19th century. Kozhagululy, commonly referred to as…

ASTANA – For many years, the Olympic podium in artistic gymnastics seemed a distant dream for Kazakh athletes. But fast forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nariman Kurbanov took the Olympic podium winning silver in men’s pommel horse. Kurbanov, 26, is among the few gifted Kazakh athletes to rise up in the gymnastics ranks. In…