Joint UNESCO-EU Effort Brings Central Asian Heritage Sites Closer to Tourists
ASTANA – Four historical and cultural sites in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan went through restoration and rehabilitation efforts in a large-scale regional project implemented by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) regional office in Almaty with the financial support of the European Union (EU). The project’s results were presented on…
Astana Welcomes 305 Young Biologists for International Olympiad
ASTANA – The 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) for schoolchildren kicked off in Astana on July 7, with 305 young biologists from around the world participating. IBO is one of the top seven international competitions among schoolchildren. Over the past 28 years, Kazakhstan’s students have successfully represented the country, winning more than 70 awards. Such…
Global Enthusiasm for Zhamby Atu, Kazakh Horseback Archery, is on Rise
ASTANA – A sport that combines marksmanship with exceptional equestrian skills, zhamby atu or Kazakh traditional horseback archery, captivates more and more fans in Kazakhstan and around the globe. In the traditional national game, a participant on horseback must shoot down a high-hanging zhamby (target) while galloping past. “Zhamby” derives from the old Turkish word…
Tokayev Highlights TURKTIME Initiatives During Kazakhstan’s OTS Chairmanship
ASTANA – Regional stability, connectivity, and climate action are among the top priorities for Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), said President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev during his speech at the OTS informal summit in Shusha, Azerbaijan, on July 6, according to the Akorda press service. Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the OTS for 2023-2024 is…
Kazakh-Chinese Media Event Cross-Promotes Tourism and Cultural Heritage
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China launched several media projects to promote tourism and bilateral cultural interests at the cultural exchange event on July 2 in Astana. Titled a New Chapter of Advanced Relations, the event coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visit to Kazakhstan from July 2-4 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit,…
Insights from Officials, Experts on President Tokayev’s Speech for Mass Media Workers’ Day
ASTANA – Experts and government officials expressed their views on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s speech during a ceremony ahead of Mass Media Workers’ Day. State Counsellor Erlan Karin highlighted that the key point in Tokayev’s speech was that Kazakhstan has long been living in a new political reality. “Over the past five years, our country has…
Kazakh Animation Industry to See Growth in Kazakh-Language Content
ASTANA – More stories will be told in Kazakh in the film and animation industry, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said in his response to the Senate (upper house of the Parliament) deputy’s request on June 26. The government is to allocate 500 million tenge (US$1 million) from the budget to produce animated projects in 2024…
Sadak Atu: Reviving the Tradition of Kazakh Archery
ASTANA—Whether inspired by childhood games or tales of heroic archers, Kazakh archery, known as sadak atu, is becoming increasingly popular among people of all ages in Kazakhstan, transforming into a more inclusive traditional sport. Ondasyn Tursyngali, an archery coach at the traditional Sadak Atu Federation’s club in Astana, used to watch his older brother and…
Design for World Nomad Games Medals Unveiled
ASTANA – The design for the medals for the upcoming fifth World Nomad Games was unveiled during the press briefing at the Central Communications Service under the President of Kazakhstan on June 24. Nail Nurov, head of the directorate for the preparation and organization of the fifth World Nomad Games, presented all three denominations made…
Panel in Astana Unveils Influential Stories of Women in Diplomacy
ASTANA – Breaking Barriers: Women in Diplomacy panel discussion at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) in Astana on June 21 uncovered the stories of women who sought influence and were great female agents in diplomacy. The event took place ahead of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, which is celebrated every year on June 24.…
Scientists Warn About Glacier Melt from Aral Sea Sand Storm on UN Desertification and Drought Day
BONN—Altai glacier melting is worsened by sand and dust storms blown thousands of kilometers from the Aralkum desert, scientists say at a seminar for journalists in Bonn dedicated to the United Nations (UN) Desertification and Drought Day, marked annually on June 17. Scientists studying Eurasia’s vast glaciers and salt and dust portable from Central Asia…
Responsible Statecraft Key to Future of US-Central Asia Relations, Says Expert
ASTANA – Bilateral and multilateral relations between the United States and the Central Asian republics will prosper over the next several years as long as all sides engage in diplomacy with mutual respect, common sense and business acumen, said Javier M. Piedra, specialist in international development, financial consultant and former Deputy Assistant Administrator for South…
Kyrgyz Republic Warns of Melting Glaciers at UN Climate Meetings in Bonn
BONN—The Kyrgyz President’s Special Representative for mountainous regions revealed how melting glaciers in the Kyrgyz Republic are affecting the population of the whole Central Asian region at the June United Nations (UN) Climate Meetings on June 3-13 in Bonn, Germany. The link between climate change and melting glaciers is becoming ever more visible. Dinara Kemelova,…
COP29 Preview: Kazakh Ecology Ministry Shares Goals and Expectations at Bonn UN Climate Meetings
BONN — Climate financing, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, Kazakhstan’s part in the global methane pledge, and loss and damage fund were among the key topics discussed by the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources during the June United Nations (UN) Climate Meetings, which took place on June 3-13 in Bonn, Germany. June UN…
Taraz City – Cradle of Islamic Civilization and Trade with Great Artisan Past
Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, this time focusing on Kazakhstan’s oldest city Taraz. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of cities to bring you closer to the heart and soul of Kazakhstan. ASTANA – The once-mighty city of Taraz, the cradle of…
Experts Warn of Growing Threat to Khoja Ahmed Yassawi Mausoleum
ASTANA – Increased moisture from the irrigation of lawns around Kazakhstan’s architectural heritage, the Khoja Ahmed Yassawi mausoleum in the Turkistan Region, might threaten its integrity, according to architectural experts, reported Kazinform news agency on May 2. Their warnings come as the Azret Sultan state historical cultural and natural museum-reserve shares the results of a…
Kazakhstan Welcomes Leonardo da Vinci’s La Bella Principessa for First Time
ASTANA – Leonardo da Vinci’s La Bella Principessa has settled into its temporary new home at the National Museum of Kazakhstan for the first time in the country, where the masterpiece will be on display for the next two months from June 7 till Aug. 4. Da Vinci’s genius is reflected in his La Bella…
Kazakhstan’s Critical Minerals Landscape Explored at AMM Congress
ASTANA – The prospects, challenges and the current state of critical minerals and mining sectors in Kazakhstan were discussed at the 14th Astana Mining and Metallurgy (AMM) congress in Astana on June 6. AMM is one of the large-scale events of the mining and metallurgical complex, hosting platforms for dialogues, an exhibition, and networking. The…
Kazakhstan Holds Potential for Unique UNESCO Heritage Nominations, Archeologist Says
ASTANA – With millenia of human and natural history coupled with the ninth largest territory in the world, Kazakhstan holds significant potential for unique nominations for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List due to their value to humanity, said Dmitriy Voyakin, an expert in archaeology and monument preservation in…
Kazakh and US Scientists to Study Human Nutrition of Bronze Age
ASTANA—Kazakh and U.S. scientists will collaborate on a project analyzing human and animal bones to discover the details of nutrition during the bronze era, the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s press service reported on May 20. Bone remains containing the tartar of a people who lived in the bronze age might reveal the…
Kazakh Board Game Togyzkumalak Gains Popularity Among Youth
ASTANA – The old tradition of board games revives with rising popularity among youth to play togyzkumalak (nine pellets) ahead of the fifth World Nomad Games in the Kazakh capital on Sept. 8 – 14. The traditional Kazakh board game togyzkumalak is also known as the “chess of the steppes” or the “algebra of the…
Kazakh National Bank Unveils New 10,000 Tenge Banknote Design
ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan revealed the new design of 10,000 tenge (US$22) banknotes that will enter circulation starting from June 28, reported the National Bank’s press service. The banknotes will enter mass circulation in September, as additional time is required for delivery to all regions of the country and adaptation of equipment…
On UN Peacekeepers Day, Kazakh Contingent Share Stories of Service and Dedication
ASTANA – On international day of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers observed on May 29, The Astana Times interviewed members of the Kazakh contingent to tell their stories on what it means to be a peacekeeper. What follows are some insightful and candid responses detailing their daily routine, the lessons learnt and first-hand stories of the…
Kazakhstan Marks 100 Years of Sagadat Nurmagambetov, Founding Architect of National Army
ASTANA – On May 25 Kazakhstan celebrates 100 years of Sagadat Nurmagambetov, the first Defense Minister of sovereign Kazakhstan, who laid the foundations of the national army force. His dazzling military career spanned over a remarkable epoch, from World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the establishment of an independent Kazakhstan’s…
Central Asian Hydrogen Prospects Unveiled at Hydrogen Diplomacy Forum
ASTANA – The Central Asian hydrogen development potential along with pilot projects was explored at the Central Asian and European Hydrogen Diplomacy Forum on May 23 in Astana. The forum was organized by the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office Astana, serving as an international exchange platform between Kazakhstan and Germany on green hydrogen in cooperation with the…
