Articles by Julia Rutz

The Almaty Symphony Orchestra, directed by well-known virtuoso violinist Marat Bisengaliev, recently performed Abai, Shakarim and Tlep by Karl Jenkins, a British composer named one of the most famous of modern times according to Classic FM Radio. The performances took place in Astana on May 10 and Almaty on May 13. Karl Jenkins, who is…

The intermediate results of the Road Map 2020 programme’s implementation were announced during a recent Central Communication Service press conference in Astana, including the funds allocated for various projects and job creation projections. According to the Vice Minister of Health Care and Social Development Daulet Argandykov, this year the government allocated 37 billion tenge (US$199.1…

According to the press service of the West Kazakhstan Akimat (regional administration), the West Kazakhstan region offers better working conditions, as only 5.3 percent of the population works in hazardous and unhygienic conditions. According to the statistics, the worst working conditions can be found in the Pavlodar region. The percent of employees exposed to hazardous…

Astana plans to modernise its old bus stops to better relay accurate transportation information and keep passengers comfortable during the city’s harsh winters and hot summers, representatives of the Astana LTR company recently told tengrinews.kz. The plan to modernise the stops comes following comments by Astana Akim (Mayor) Adilbek Dzhaksybekov criticizing the existing stops, calling…

According to a recent announcement made by Altay Abibullayev, ambassador-at-large and spokesman at the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kazakhstan will provide aid to Nepal in light of the recent deadly earthquake. He also expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Nepal for the more than 6,000 lives lost during the strong earthquake…

The May 7 parade dedicated to the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War is expected to be the largest event among all previously conducted in Kazakhstan. More than 5,000 people, 220 military vehicles and 85 aircraft will participate in the procession, reported tengrinews.kz. The parade will be divided into two parts. The…

The 1st of May is a significant holiday for Kazakhstan, as citizens of the country celebrate the peaceful coexistence of various nationalities and ethnicities that has been a feature from the very first days of the state’s existence.  The capital will start celebrating the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan at 10 a.m.…

Kazakhstan patents about 8,000 inventions each year from creators of all ages, according to the National Institute of Intellectual Property of Kazakhstan. And some of those inventions come from young people. The Shapagat National Invention Contest even includes a “Best School-Aged Boy Inventor” category.  Among those emerging creators is young Pavlodar resident Nazifa Baktybaeva who…

Retro military equipment, much of which is currently exhibited as monuments in different cities throughout Kazakhstan, will line the streets of Astana May 7 as part of the military parade dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The procession will kick off May 7.  “This military equipment was partly…

The Chinese company CITIC, which recently launched the first bitumen plant in Mangistau, is planning to finance the construction of a new oil refinery in the region, according to tengrinews.kz. The report was confirmed during the official visit in March of the Kazakh delegation, headed by Prime Minister Karim Massimov, to Beijing, China. Despite the…

In light of the coming international exhibition EXPO 2017, which will largely focus on sustainable development and the face of energy in the future, Forbes Kazakhstan business magazine decided to establish an architecture award this year. The award is intended to bring out the most creative and innovative projects in local architecture and create a…

Kazakhstan established an agricultural development fund during Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban’s recent visit to Astana, the KazAgro press service reported. KazAgro established the fund jointly with the Hungarian Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) in a project spearheaded by both Orban and Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov. The main mission of the new fund is to provide…

Twenty-two years ago, the Kazakhstan Navy was established as part of the Armed Forces of a new independent state.  The corresponding presidential decree was issued on April 2, 1993, according to press service of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defence. Aktau city, being the main sea gate of the country on the Caspian Sea, has organised…

Due to problems with poor translation of advertising text into Kazakh, Almaty public activists have suggested creating the job of advertising manager in Kazakh language, reported tengrinews.kz. The suggestion was made during a roundtable devoted to the difficulties of developing the Kazakh language in the urban environment and the participants believe the new profession will…

Two stars of the Hungarian National Ballet, Kazakh prima ballerina assoluta Aliya Tanykpaeva and principal dancer Zoltan Olah will perform a new 3D production of Swan Lake at the Astana Opera Theatre. The magic of the classic Tchaikovsky masterpiece will be presented April 1-2, according the opera press service. Both artists expressed great anticipation before…

On March 22, countries all across Middle and Central Asia will celebrate Nauryz, the New Year, or the festival of spring and abundance. Historically, this holiday, that, in accordance with some estimations, is more than 5,000 years old, had been celebrated since long before the people of this area were converted to Islam. Even to…

An official ban on imports of Russian motor fuels, like light distillates and diesel fuel products, will be in force from March 5-April 20, the Kazakh Ministry of Energy press service announced. According to the order, signed by Minister of Energy Vladimir Shkolnik, the ministry’s Oil Industry Development Department should inform Kazakhstan Temir Zholy to…

Almaty city public transport, ambulance and emergency, as well as engineering vehicles will get special traffic lanes by 2017, reported TV channel Almaty. According to the channel’s report, the Kazakhstan Development Bank is ready to provide a loan to the city administration within the national campaign “Energy Efficient Kazakhstan.” This measure will also support the…

Astana Akim (Mayor) Adilbek Dzhaksybekov discussed 2015 development plans for the city on Feb. 18 in Congress Hall during the first public meeting of his administration, according to the press service of the city akimat (administration). As part of the development plan discussed by the mayor, about 100 new building projects will be realised in…

In light of the December announcement by Kazakh officials to extend the metro in Almaty, two new stations may be opened to commuters this spring. The city is anticipating the Moscow and Sairan stations, both of which are under construction, although the official opening has been postponed due to weather conditions, according to tengrinews.kz.  …

To celebrate Nauryz, one of the greatest holidays in Kazakhstan, Almaty officials have decided to change the usual festival location this year and organise the nation’s celebration in the city central park. Instead of reveling in the central squares, locals and guests of Almaty will be transported by special busses to the park, where the…

A two-day international tourism forum titled,“New Akkol – The Centre for Eco-Tourism” concluded on Feb. 8 in Akkol, which is located in the Akmola region. This was the first forum held to discuss the consolidation of efforts between the government, businesses and the tourism industry on supporting the transition to a green economy, reported the…

Six projects creating more than 2,000 new jobswill be launched in Astana this year as part of the Industrialisation Map programme for 2015-2019, according to a recent announcement by Astana Akim (Mayor) Adilbek Dzhaksybekov. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasised that the main task for both state and business leaders is to create new jobs and…

Baiterek Holding is hoping to launch a pilot version this year of a new plan to support Kazakh small businesses, said Chairman of the Board Kuandyk Bishimbayev. The project is aimed at creating competitive and export-oriented industries in Kazakhstan by establishing companies of regional and global scale. The plan embraces three sectors of the national…

Kazakh scientists highlighted a number of recently announced new facts concerning the history of the Kazakh Khanate. Historians have revealed little-known details after precisely studying thousands of archival documents that were stored in various countries in Europe and Asia. The unique data will be described in scientific papers to be released as part of the…