New Hockey, Figure Skating Training Facility Opens in Astana

ASTANA – A new ice rink and training facility for professional, semiprofessional and amateur hockey teams and figure skaters opened here on July 12. The rink, known...


Almaty Designer Combines Love of Business, Textiles and Country

ALMATY – Almaty resident Andrey Tkachenko is not only a famous designer and the artistic director of the Andres fashion salon, he is also one who has...


EXPO 2017 Commissioner Promotes EXPO 2017 Abroad

On July 11-12, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan and Commissioner for EXPO 2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev travelled to Munich to exchange experience with Deputy Commissioner of EXPO...


Working on Legal Framework of Anti-Corruption Measures

The implementation of an effective anti-corruption policy determines the development of the legislative framework for combating corruption. In recent years, a package of anti-corruption laws aimed at...


Tons of Toxic Soviet Era Rocket Fuel Removed from Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Four hundred and ten tons of highly toxic rocket fuel used to propel missiles during the Soviet era and which had been stored for more...


State Continues Commitment to Multi-Religious Society

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s constitution proclaims it a secular state: Article 1.1 reads “1. The Republic of Kazakhstan proclaims itself a democratic, secular, legal and social state whose...


Survey Compares Countries’ Wedding Spending Habits

ALMATY – Newlyweds in east European and such Oriental countries and China and Vietnam are partial to Hummers and decorated limousines for their wedding motorcades, according to...


Government Develops Burabai Resort Infrastructure

ASTANA – The bright sun, pine forests and crystal clean water of the Burabai resort area make it a natural gem in the Akmola region, and one...


ATOM Project Ambassador Gains International Attention, Urges More Global Action

ASTANA – Honorary ATOM Project Ambassador and artist Karipbek Kuyukov, a victim of Soviet nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site who was born without arms...


Oskemen Ethnic Village a Place of Education, Investment in the Future

OSKEMEN – East Kazakhstan oblast, where people from 105 different ethnicities live and work together, is an appropriate setting for Kazakhstan’s first so called ethnic village, which...


Endangered Demoiselle Crane Population Growing

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s rare demoiselle crane is growing in population and may soon leave the list of endangered bird species known as the “Red Book.” “This rare...


Astana School Choir Offers Music and Friendship

Astana’s Haileybury School Community Choir performed on June 15 a concert entitled “CarminaBurana.” The Astana Times sat down with the choir’s conductor and the concert’s organizer, Haileybury...


Kazakhstan Growth Seen As Model for Central Asia

Foreign experts are interested in Kazakhstan not only as a template of economic growth and political stability, but also as an important participant in the integration processes...


Romanian PM Visits Astana to Promote Economic, Culture Ties

ASTANA – Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta made his first official visit to Kazakhstan on June 27 and 28, resulting in agreements on cooperation in military training,...


InterNations Gathers Expats in Astana

ASTANA – On June 28, the InterNations Astana network held another one of its regular expatriate get-togethers, this time at Why Not Lounge Bar. The InterNations community...


Modern Astana Celebrates Anniversary with Traditional Festival

ASTANA — More than 500 performers and craftsman from around Central Asia converged on Astana this week to celebrate the city’s 15th anniversary as the nation’s capital....


Kazakhstan Team Helps Competitors Extinguish Fire at Silk Way Rally

ASTANA – Members of Kazakhstan’s Mobilex Racing Team Kanat Shagirov and Alexander Moroz helped extinguish a fire in one of their competitors’ cars at the Silk Way...


New Train Service Connects Almaty with Alakol Lake

ALMATY REGION – A new passenger train service to Alakol Lake was launched on June 19. The train will run twice a week from Almaty to Dostyk...


New Botanical Garden to Beautify Astana by 2017

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently approved plans to build a new botanical garden and park on the Left Bank. Construction on the project is set to...


Café Scientifique Promotes Public Engagement With Scientific Issues

ASTANA – A year ago, Café Scientifique, a public initiative to create new ways of relating to science, appeared in Almaty. The initiative has been a great...


Researcher examines Kazakhstan’s role in World War II

ASTANA – Kazakhstan sent many of its sons and daughters to fight and die on the front lines of World War II. It also supplied food and...


Classical Music Concerts Held on Yessil River

ASTANA – As they have been for the past five years, “River of Sound” evenings of classical music were once again held along the embankment of the...


With National Award, Kazakhstan’s Pop Music Takes Big Step Forward

ASTANA – Astana’s Capital Day celebrations included the first awards ceremony of the new national music award, Astana Zhuldyzy (The Star of Astana), initiated by the Astana...


Hero of Kazakh History Born 350 Years Ago

This year marks 350 years since the birth of the famous hero of Kazakh history, Tole-bi, a legendary figure who left a bright mark on the fate...


Violinist Zhamilya Serkebayeva Makes it to the Top

Zhamilya Serkebayeva is more than just one of the most acclaimed classical violinists in Kazakhstan. She bridges the gap between classical and rock, and even shows her...


Astana Presidential Sports Club Launched

On the eve of the Capital Day of the, the new “Astana” presidential multi-sport club was launched. Stars of world sport Luis Figo, Oliver Kahn and Alexander...


Regional Forum Examines Sustainable Energy Issues

ASTANA – The first regional forum, “The Covenant of Mayors – a Way to Sustainable Energy Development on Local, National and Regional Levels,” was held June 28...


Marking Int’l Nelson Mandela Day, Globally and Locally

International Nelson Mandela Day is on 18 July 2013. The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world...


KazISS Continues Critical Work, Afghanistan in Focus

The main objectives of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) formulated at its creation are still relevant today: the development of theoretical foundations and practical recommendations...


Business News in Brief

The Hyundai AutoTrans company entered the Customs Union market. In 2012, about 250 trucks were exported to Belarus; this number will double in 2013. The company is...