Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

ASTANA – The bear, wild boar, and Siberian mountain goat populations in Zhongar-Alatau state national nature park have doubled amid a good forage base and the use of innovative technologies in monitoring wild animals, reported the Khabar news agency on Feb. 7. The national park’s latest data also show that the efforts to conserve deer…

ASTANA – Astana Ballet staged the revived “The Language of Love” ballet, a tribute to the music and passion of profound Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbaiuly on Feb. 2-3. Brought back to the Astana Ballet scene for the first time since its premiere in 2016, “The Language of Love” tells the life story of Abai through…

ASTANA – A place where an exquisite dining experience can be paired with a niche musical exhibition is exactly what one would expect when dining at Daididau restaurant, curated by the family of renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen. If food nourishes the body and music the soul, Daididau becomes a place that serves both, with…

ASTANA – Young Kazakh comic book author Ilyas Yusupzhanov presented his first comic book about the founders of the Kazakh Khanate, Kerey and Zhanibek sultans, in Almaty on Jan. 27, reported Zakon.kz news outlet. Yusupzhanov’s interest in comic books sprang from his dedication to promoting Kazakh history by creating worthy heroes to look up to…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s horse Kabirkhan made a dream start in its international horseracing career by winning twice at the Al Maktoum Challenge tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Jan. 12 and Jan. 26, which earned it a spot at the Dubai World Cup, one of the biggest events in horse racing. Kabirkhan became the…

ASTANA – Kazakh cuisine restaurant Qazaq Gourmet, located in Astana, has been recognized in the prestigious international 50 Best Discovery list, reported the Kazakh Tourism company’s press service. “Serving refined interpretations of traditional Kazakh cuisine amid a magnificent scarlet and orange-hued dining room replete with domed ceiling, chandeliers and a scattering of historic national costumes…

ASTANA – The dynamic growth in Chinese-Kazakh business relations is expected with a focus on agriculture, said Alinur Zhengis, the second Kazakh citizen after singer Dimash Kudaibergen, who was given the Chinese Government Friendship Award, the highest award for foreign experts. Back in 2018, the Chinese government honored two Kazakh nationals for their outstanding contributions…

ASTANA – The representatives of Iran, Russia and Türkiye, as guarantors of the Astana Format, emphasized the need to secure unhindered humanitarian aid to Syria, join efforts to combat terrorism and encourage mutual release of detainees at the 21st International Meeting on Syria within the Astana Process on Jan. 25. The delegations of Iran, Russia,…

ASTANA – Information technologies (IT) and digitalization, healthcare, tourism and education have been identified as key fields where Kazakhstan and India can expand and forge new partnerships, according to Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan T.V. Nagendra Prasad. In an interview with The Astana Times, Prasad spoke of trade and investment, cultural ties and educational exchanges…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s engagement in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission enhances the country’s prestige and augments its proficiency in combat, according to State Counselor Erlan Karin. Last week, the Kazakh Parliament approved the deployment of up to 430 peacekeepers to participate in the UN missions. Starting in March, it is planned to deploy 139…

AKMOLA REGION – A beguiling new museum in the Kosshy village, a 20-minute drive from Astana, is showcasing an excellent collection of over 1,600 Kazakh and Turkic instruments in an effort to preserve and revive the rarest pieces. A love letter to rich Kazakh musical heritage, the small museum is much more than a series…

ASTANA – Lights, cameras and action are anticipated in the Kazakh film industry in 2024 as around 30 national films supported by the State Center for Support of National Cinema will be released, reported the center’s press service. Historical dramas, action movies, and much-anticipated auteur films dominate the coming year’s release schedule. “Among them are…

ASTANA – Abilkhan Kasteev, a towering artist of his generation and the master of social realism who stood at the foundations of Kazakh fine arts, celebrates 120 years on Jan. 14. His carefully constructed and richly hued paintings often told the story of ordinary Kazakh people at the intersection of the nomadic heritage and the…

ASTANA – The “Zhoshy Khan” historical drama drew a full house at the Kuanyshbaev Kazakh State Academic Musical and Drama Theater on a cold Astana evening on Jan. 11. The event  commemorated the establishment of Zhoshy Khan’s rule eight centuries ago. The play transports audiences to ancient Kazakh history – a medieval multinational state known…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the 112th anniversary of the birth of a prominent Kazakh politician Dinmukhamed Kunayev on Jan. 12. As the nation stands in a pivotal moment in its political reforms, it offers a chance to honor the life and legacy of the outstanding politician, who led the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) for…

ASTANA – The National Center of Manuscripts and Rare Books retrieved copies of Persian language books “Tarikh-i-Abul Khair Khan” and “History of Mongols” found in the collections of the Patna Library in India, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information press service on Dec. 25, 2023. An extraordinary collection of rare books and manuscripts has…

ALMATY – Zholaushy Turdugulov is one of a handful of traditional dombra craftsmen who preserve the traditional craft of instrument-making and know how to skillfully bring the best sound out of dombra, a two-string Kazakh instrument that is deemed the soul of Kazakh culture. Dombra is essential to the heritage of the Kazakh people.  Its…

ASTANA – Amid growing demand for national identity reflection and reassessment, the new book “Tamga: History of Kazakh Tribes” written by historian Radik Temirgaliyev presents an opportunity to explore Kazakh tribal heritage beyond myth and preconceptions. The finely crafted historical book was presented on Dec. 12 in Astana during a meeting with the author organized…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Association of National Sports awarded the exceptional athletes who have achieved success on the national and international levels in 10 national sports nominations at the 10th anniversary Altyn Tugyr (Golden Foundation) awards on Dec. 21 in Astana. The National Sports Association, launched in 2004, was set up to promote traditional Kazakh game…

ASTANA – Qalam, a new online historical and educational platform, offers wider access to Kazakh and Central Asian history, making it easier for audiences to engage and interact with materials, said the editor-in-chief and historian Zhar Zardykhan during the presentation on Dec. 19 in Astana. In the absence of consistent access to museums and libraries, online…

MUYNAK, UZBEKISTAN – Uzbekistan’s ambitious saxaul plantation initiative is instilling optimism among scientists and residents of the dried-up Aral Sea basin that it will help to mitigate the increasing number of dust storms in Central Asia and avert related health risks. On a recent press trip to Muynak, once a thriving seaport of 25,000 people,…

ASTANA – Kazakh traditional milk-based tea holds a special place among people in Chinese Xinjiang province, which traditionally has a large population of Kazakhs, according to the video broadcasted on the Central People’s Radio, reported Kazinform news agency. The one thing that Kazakhs could beat the Chinese at is preparing the perfect tea, or shai,…

ASTANA – The Investment Promotion Council (Investment Headquarters) held its first regular meeting on Dec. 13 in Astana under a new format following the signing of a Presidential decree that granted them unprecedented authority, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Chaired by Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, the meeting’s primary agenda was to…

ASTANA – Turkmenistan’s Anev city has been selected as the next Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for 2024, following the Shusha city in Azerbaijan on Dec. 11, reported Kazinform news agency. The idea to establish the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World was introduced in 2010 at the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY)…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan provides attractive investment opportunities with a rapidly expanding business and industrial sector, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Altyn Sapa (Golden Quality) and Paryz (Duty) award ceremony on Dec. 12 in Astana, as reported by the Akorda press service. Altyn Sapa and Paryz are annual awards recognizing entrepreneurs who have significantly contributed…