Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

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…

ASTANA – The Kazakh delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin visited Australia to study the best practices in animal husbandry and agriculture on Dec. 11, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Australia is one of the top exporters in the world, taking the lead in both lamb and beef exports. The nation’s products…

ASTANA – The status of Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has been changed from critically endangered to near threatened on Dec. 11, marking a success in conservation efforts, announced a group of organizations involved in the effort.  The saiga population in Kazakhstan has recovered from…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has developed a wide-ranging human rights strategy that aligns with the objectives of sustainable development, said Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastayev during the Contribution of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development conference on the sidelines of the Human Rights 75 high-level event on…

ASTANA – French multidisciplinary artist Adèle Jelansky presented a photo exhibition, the result of her six-month creative photography residency in Kazakhstan, at the National Museum of Kazakhstan on Dec. 7. The new exhibition of 45 photographic collages, which is on display until Jan.7, 2024, takes viewers on a journey with the photographer: from Almaty to…

ASTANA – Key representatives of government and human rights protection institutions have addressed Kazakhstan’s efforts in implementing human rights and key insights during the international scientific and practical conference organized by the Human Rights Commissioner’s Office on Dec. 7 in Astana. The two-day conference chaired by Kazakhstan’s Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastayev precedes a milestone…