Kazakh Capital Showcases GASYR Project, Visual Chronicle of Generations
ASTANA – The LM Kulanshi creative space hosted the GASYR project’s presentation, a visual narrative featuring 100 portraits of residents ranging from zero to 100. More than a collection of photographs, the exhibition explores the passage of time, life, and generations in Kazakhstan. Each portrait tells a story, revealing the essence of an era through…
Kazakhstan Employs More Than 9,000 Women in Aviation with 34 Female Pilots
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has 34 female pilots out of 1,459, while globally, women make up only 5% of airline pilots. The country’s aviation sector employs more than 9,500 women, including 2,005 flight attendants, 104 air traffic controllers, and about 400 professionals in engineering and technical roles. These figures were highlighted at a workshop on gender…
Kazakhstan, Italy Partner to Support Energy Transition
ASTANA – Kazakhstan-British Technical University (KBTU) announced plans to cooperate with MAIRE, an Italy-based company specializing in industrial plant engineering and natural resource transformation, to enhance international collaboration in research and education. The partnership aims to foster innovation and workforce development to support the global energy transition. The three-year agreement includes guest lectures by MAIRE…
Kazakhstan Marks 179th Anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev
ASTANA – The nation celebrated the 179th anniversary of renowned Kazakh poet and improviser Zhambyl Zhabayev on Feb. 28. Zhabayev was a master of epic poetry and improvisation, a wise zhyrshy (narrative poet), and a storyteller whose work helped shape civic and political poetry. His influence extended beyond his poetic talent—he pioneered a new direction…
Symbolism of Kazakh Headdresses Through Life Stages
ASTANA – Kazakh traditional headdresses are experiencing a resurgence among young people, blending cultural heritage with modern design. Brightly stylized hats have become a popular fashion statement, serving as a means of self-expression and a symbol of cultural identity. This renewed interest is driven by a desire to stay connected to history and heritage while…
How Kazakhstan’s Rescue Dogs Save Lives in Disasters
ASTANA – Dog handlers in Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations are crucial in search and rescue operations, training dogs to work in extreme conditions and respond to emergencies. Often called “rescue dogs” or the “dogs of the Ministry of Emergency Situations,” these four-legged companions help responders find people trapped under rubble, lost in forests, or…
Kazakhstan, Belgium Unite for Global Business Education
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Belgium have launched their first international dual-degree program, the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA), developed by Almaty Management University (AlmaU) in partnership with Antwerp Management School (AMS) in Belgium. The program was officially introduced on Feb. 18, reported the AlmaU’s press service. GEMBA aims to strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as an emerging international…
Every City Has Story: How Kazakh Cities Convey Nation’s Rich Heritage
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s cities are more than just points on a map; their names carry deep historical, cultural, and linguistic significance. Kyzdarkhan Rysbergen, doctor of philology, sheds light on the origins and meanings of the country’s city names in an interview with Kazinform. Astana and Almaty: capitals through time The history of Kazakhstan’s capital dates…
Kazakhstan’s Banking Sector Set for Steady Growth in 2025
ASTANA – The banking sectors in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are expected to remain resilient in 2025, according to an S&P Global Ratings latest report on the banking sector of Central Asia and the Caucasus for 2025. “Low double-digit lending growth and stable asset quality will support profitability and capital levels. Still, favorable…
Kazakhstan Seeks to Unlock Economic Potential of Vast Coal Reserves
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is one of the world’s biggest coal producers, along with China, India, the United States, Russia, Australia, and South Africa. The country exports and relies on coal for domestic energy production, with nearly 70% of its electricity generated from coal—meanwhile, renewable energy makes up nearly 6.5% of the energy mix. While the…
Kazakh Master of Hundred Techniques Carves Unique Path in Art
ASTANA – Kanat Nurtazin is renowned for his unique artistic approach, specializing in intricate carvings and continuously expanding his ambitious 100 Drawing Methods project. To date, he has mastered 86 techniques, experimenting with an array of unconventional materials, including chocolate, apples, tiles, slate, wood, and burning glass. His artistic journey began in 2013 when he…
Baikonur Cosmodrome: Celebrating 70 Years of Launching Humanity Into Space
ASTANA – In addition to its wealth of historical monuments that transport visitors to past eras, Kazakhstan is home to a site that tells a different kind of story—one rooted in the technological leaps of the 20th century. This is Baikonur, the world’s first and largest cosmodrome, from which humanity took its first steps into…
Harvard Historian Explores Evolution of Kazakh Music
ASTANA – Leora Shekufeh Eisenberg, a doctoral student at Harvard and a historian with a degree from Princeton University, has traveled to Kazakhstan to delve deeper into the history of Kazakh music as part of her dissertation on the development of national musical traditions in Central Asia. Born into a family of musicians, Eisenberg’s upbringing…
How US Policy Changes Impact Kazakhstan’s Renewable Energy Goals
ASTANA – Experts warn that declining global interest in climate initiatives could hinder investments in Kazakhstan’s green economy after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in the energy sector and announced the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Trump has also proposed ending support for large wind farms, which he claims “ruin…
Kazakh Tazy Joins Global Dog Encyclopedia
ASTANA – The Kazakh Tazy breed has been included for the first time in “Dogs of the World,” a book by Lili Chin featuring more than 600 illustrations of dog breeds worldwide. Packed with fascinating details and colorful artwork, the book also highlights the world’s mixed-breed and village dogs, representing 85% of dogs with no…
Kazakh Petroglyphs Reveal Story of Nomadic Culture
ASTANA – Petroglyph clusters are sacred sites where ancient people worshipped their gods and honored their ancestors, holding profound spiritual significance, according to Olga Gumirova, founder of the Hunters for Petroglyphs public foundation. The organization is dedicated to discovering, studying, documenting, and protecting rock art from destruction. Kazakhstan is home to approximately 300 unique petroglyph…
Kazakh Capital to Host IFLA Congress, Uniting Global Library Leaders
ASTANA – The upcoming IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Astana marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time the event is hosted in Eastern Asia. The annual congress gathers professionals worldwide to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and discuss best practices in the library and information sector. According to Anna Plassmann,…
Experts Reflect on Tokayev’s Address at Government Meeting
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired an expanded government meeting on Jan. 28, reviewing the country’s socio-economic development in 2024 and outlining key priorities for the government in the coming period. Tokayev emphasized the need for deeper analysis and effective measures in key areas, including the economy, infrastructure projects and social support, to strengthen…
Kazakhstan Launches Powerful Wind Turbines in Aktobe Region
ASTANA – The first two wind turbines of the Chromtau Wind Power Plant in the Aktobe Region, currently under construction by Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), have been connected to the grid. Each turbine has a capacity of 6.25 megawatts, making them the most powerful operational wind generators in the country, reported on Dec. 24 the…
Kazakhstan’s Ulus of Jochi Institute Explores Forgotten Eras of Statehood
ASTANA – Last year, Kazakhstan celebrated the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Ulus of Jochi, a key milestone in the history of Kazakh statehood. To investigate its heritage, influence, and significance in national history, the President of Kazakhstan initiated the establishment of the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi. Renowned…
Dombra’s Melodies Resound Powerfully on Kilimanjaro
ASTANA – Dombra player Alibek Kaiyrbek continues his remarkable journey of conquering the world’s highest peaks with the soulful sounds of Kazakhstan’s national instrument. This time, he performed Kurmangazy’s legendary composition “Adai” at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, towering at 5,895 meters above sea level. Last year, Kaiyrbek brought the dombra’s melodies…
Timeless Kazakh Traditions From Birth to Adulthood
ASTANA – The Kazakh people possess a rich and diverse cultural heritage, deeply rooted in traditions that emphasize family and kinship. Central to this heritage are customs designed to care for and protect children, ensuring their well-being and attracting good fortune. These traditions are reflected in rituals observed from a child’s birth through early childhood.…
Renowned Japanese Blogger Joins Kazakhstan’s Tourism Ambassadors to Showcase its Wonders
ASTANA – Yuji Beleza, a Japanese blogger residing in Vienna, has captivated audiences worldwide with his linguistic talent and cultural curiosity. Speaking over a dozen languages, including Kazakh, Beleza’s fluency surprises and delights Kazakh locals, given that he learned the language independently through books and online resources. In an interview with The Astana Times, Beleza…
Kazakhstan Opens New Industrial Facilities in 2024
ASTANA – Kazakhstan launched approximately 180 new industrial facilities in 2024, with a total investment of 1.3 trillion tenge (US$2.48 billion), creating about 14,400 jobs. This was announced during a Dec. 30 off-site meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin in the Karagandy Region, reported the Ministry of Agriculture’s…
Kazakhstan Boosts Tourism with Record Growth and Bold Investments
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s tourism sector continues to grow steadily, with an increase in both domestic and international visitors and rising investments in infrastructure. By the end of 2024, domestic tourists are expected to exceed ten million, while international arrivals are projected to surpass 15 million—a nearly 60% rise compared to 2023, according to the Ministry…
