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INTERNATIONAL SILK WAY RALLY FOR KAZAKHSTAN 06/04/2009The Dakar Series continues this year with the new Silk Way Rally that will pass through Kazakhstan in early September. The Rally will start in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan (part of the Russian Federation), cross Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan and end in Ashkhabad, the capital of Turkmenistan. The circuit is the historic trade route between Europe and Asia known as the Silk Way and is over 4000-KM in length. Representatives of 31 countries will participate, including racers from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USA, Brazil, Chile and Great Britain.
Read moreNew Building in Astana.
The Italian architects Manfredi and Luca Nicoletti won the prize to construct one of Astana’s most important new buildings – the Kazakhstan State Auditorium. The auditorium will be one of the largest of its kind in the world – and is situated in Astana's central nucleus - on a rectangular area that includes the Presidential Palace and the Senate House. The structures will rise ‘like the petals of a flower animated through music’. The building will enclose an internal piazza housing shops, balconies, restaurants, exhibition halls, two cinemas as well as a 3500 seats auditorium entirely clad in wood inside and outside. The project – currently well advanced – is due for completion in 2009.
Kazakhstan wins 13 olympic medalsAt the XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing, Kazakhstan’s athletes won a total of 13 medals – 2 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze.
Kazakhstan has consequently been ranked 29th among the 205 competing countries.Since gaining independence the country has won an incredible 43 medals - including 11 gold.
Weight-lifter Ilya Ilyin and welterweight boxer Bakhyt Sarsekbayev won gold medals.
Judoist Askhat Jitkeev, female weightlifters Irina Nekrasova and Alla Vazhenina, and free-style wrestler Taimuraz Tigiyev won silver medals.
Bronze medals were won by N. Tenizbayev and A. Mambetov (Greek-Roman wrestling), M. Grabovetskaya (weightlifting), E. Shalygina and M. Mutalimov (free-style wrestling), E. Shynaliev (boxing), A. Chilmanov (taekwondo).
Tulpan.
Tulpan has been screened at a host of festivals across the globe; at Cannes 2008 it won the top prize it its category (Un Certain Regard) as well as ‘Le Prix de l’Education Nationale’ which ensures that the film will be screened to schoolchildren through France in 2009. At the festivals of Montréal and Reykjavik the film won the top prize, while at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Tulpan won two gongs – the Grand Prix and the Best Director Award. Sergei Dvortsevoy (dir.), Samal Yeslyamova (actress) and Askhat Kuchinchirekov (actor) appeared on stage at the Festival before the screening and expressed their joy for winning the awards.
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Culture & Traditions
LITERATURE
Before the 19th century, Kazakhstan had no written language of its own. Literature took the form of long oral poems, recited by bards (aquins) in a song-like chant and accompanied by traditional instruments like drums and a dombra , a mandolin-like string instrument. Recitals and poetry contests (aitys) are still very popular. The founder of modern Kazakh literature is said to be Abay Kunanbaev (1845-1904 - see illustration left), a 19th century poet and writer who translated Russian works into the Kazakh language. His main contribution to Kazakh culture and folklore is his poetry, which expresses strong nationalism and grew out of Kazakh folk culture. His most famous philosophic work, "Words of edification", is said to be a spiritual commandment to the Kazakh nation. Other writers and poets include Akhmet Baitursynov, Bakhytzhan Kanapyanov, Nirjaqip Dulatuli, Bukhar-zhirau Kalmakanov, Makhambet Utemisov and many others.
PhilosophyChokan Valikhanov (1835-1865see illustration left), from which Kazakhstan’s Academy of Sciences takes its name, was the first Kazakh scholar, ethnographer and historian. A descendant of Ghenghis Khan, Valikhanov was one of the first Kazakhs to be educated in Russian and published books and articles devoted to the history and culture of Central Asia. Notable works include "Kirghiz (Kazakhs)," "Traces of shamanism in Kirghiz", "About Kirghiz nomads' camp" and others containing ethnographic data that have been used to date. He also wrote the Kazakh epic poems "Kozy-Korpesh and "Bayan-Sulu" and the Kyrgyz epic "Manas.” LifestyleAstana, the Kazakh capital, and Almaty the former capital, are modern cosmopolitan cities in which the population live identical lives to those of other major Western capitals. Most Kazakhs live in urban apartment blocks, houses finished to international standards. The wealthy denizens of Astana have the option of occupying penthouse flats overlooking the city and the ever-receeding steppes. The latest important residential complex under construction - the Abu Dhabi Plaza - is designed by Norman Foster.
Ethnic & Social DiversityKazakhstan’s principal ethnic groups include Kazakh (58.9%), Russian (25.9%), Ukrainian (2.9%), Uzbek (2.8%), Uighur, Tatar and German (1.5% each) and other groups (4%). There are more than 100 other ethnic groups living peacefully in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan’s two main religions are Islam and Christianity (57% and 40% of all believers respectively). Most Muslims in Kazakhstan belong to the Sunni denomination, while most Christians belong to the Russian Orthodox Church. There are more than 40 confessions in Kazakhstan, organised into over 3000 religious organisations. Kazakh is spoken by over 52% of the population and is the state language. Russian is spoken by almost everyone and enjoys equal status under the Constitution. TraditionsThe traditional dwelling of the Kazakh nomad is the yurt, a tent made from a framework of willow wood and covered in felt, with a hole in the top to allow smoke to escape. When correctly constructed, a yurt enables its inhabitants to stay cool in summer and warm in winter. Some Kazakhs maintain a semi nomadic existence, moving their herds and flocks to summer pastures each year. CuisineTraditional Kazakh food is similar to that of the Mediterranean in its use of rice, savoury seasonings, vegetables, yoghurts and grilled meats. Nomadic diet is heavy in mutton, dairy products and bread, while in the northern cities the food is heavily influenced by Russian cuisine. A popular dish is qazy, a horsemeat sausage served up with cold noodles, or the sweet plov, made with dried apricots, raisins and prunes. Food available in large towns and cities resembles that of any Western urban area; you can choose to eat Italian, Chinese, Japanese or French at several different price and quality levels - or opt for American-influenced fast food. MEDIAKazakhstan I is the state television channel. Other country-wide TV stations are Khabar and Yel Arna. According to government statistics there are 116 private channels, including Kanal 31 and KTK. The state-owned Kazakh Radio broadcasts in both official languages. A wide number of private radio stations are also available including Europa Plus, Russkoye Radio, Hit FM, Radio Azattyq and Radio Karavan. According to government figures, there were 990 privately owned newspapers and 418 privately owned magazines.
MUSEUMSMost of Kazakhstan’s museums are found in Almaty. The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan was established in the 1930s and today hosts four large exhibition halls covering hundreds of unique Kazakh exhibits including spiritual and cultural material describing the history of the country. The A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts boasts over 20 thousand exhibits in its collection (painting, sculpture, decorative art). The Museum's acquisitions programme began when the Russian Museum and the A.S. Pushkin Museum of the Fine Arts delivered 200 works by Russian and Western masters in the 1930s. The collection traces art history from ancient to present times. In Almaty also, find The Archaeological Museum of the Kazakhstan National Academy of Sciences and The State Book Museum. SportAs in other aspects of Kazakhstan’s traditional culture, the horse plays a dominant role in sport – kökpar is a wilder version of polo using a goat’s carcass instead of a ball; and qyz quu, a chase between girl and boy on horseback. In contemporary terms, Kazakhstan is obsessed with football. The Kazakhstan First Division is controlled by the Football Union and feeds into the Kazakhstan Super League, founded in 1994. Kazakhstan competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. The largest contingent was their ice hockey squad of 23. The cross country skiing team was also sizeable, with a total of 19 Kazakh athletes entered. The cyclist Alexander Vinokourov is perhaps the best-known Kazakh athlete.Tennis, boxing, gymnastics, swimming and golf are also hugely popular. (more)CinemaKazakhstan has a strong cinematic tradition: the first Kazakh cinemas date back to the beginning of the 20th century and the first filming took place in 1928. These were mainly short propaganda films, created by Russian directors and known as 'agitfilms'. The first Kazakh full length feature, 'Amangueldy' by Moisey Levin, was made in 1938 and was also the first film with sound. It has a narrative pattern typical of central Asian cinema, which places central importance on strong and heroic characters. Other notable early films include 'The Land of the Fathers' by Zemlya Ostov, 'The Balcony' by Kalykbek Salykov and 'The Island of Rebirth' by Rustem Abdrashev. More recently, Kazakhstan has proved a reliable and popular source of World Cinema. Below find an inexhaustive list of Kazakh films (and films made in Kazakhstan) distributed globally...
The Road (1992) by Omirbaev Darejan. A film director takes a trip to visit his sick mother, leaving his wife and son in Almaty. The audience is exposed to his thoughts and encounters along the way.
Highway (2001) by Sergei Dvortsevoy. Kazakhstan seen through the eyes of a small travelling circus.
My Brother Silk Road (2001) by Marut Sarulu. Filmed in Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan, four village children embark on a difficult journey through the steppes to the railroad, which lies on the path of the ancient Silk Route. A train meanders down the mountain and, following an argument, an artist is unceremoniously thrown off a carriage and meets the children...
Leila's Prayer (2002) by Satybaldy Narymbetov. A powerful drama portraying a young girl living in the Semey region in the north of Kazakhstan, where the Soviet regime carried out 467 nuclear tests at a devastating cost to the local environment.
Little Men (2003) by Nariman Turebayev. Subtle comedy on the post-Soviet generation in Kazakhstan, full of up-tempo music and slapstick humor. Bek and Max, two slackers, share an apartment and the same bleak economic prospects. When one of the two, the naive Bek, falls hopelessly in love, the incurable philanderer Max decides to teach him about women...
The Hunter (2004) by Serik Aprimov is an allegory about the tensions between the traditional and the new in Kazakh society, concerning a young boy who is brought up by his stepmother and a nomadic hunter.
Schizo (2004) Writer/director Guka Omarova's debut is a coming-of-age film about a 15-year-old boy (played by Oldzhas Nusupbayev) growing up in Kazakhstan in the early 1990s (see poster above).
Nomad (2006) is a historical epic written by Rustam Ibragimbekov, produced by Milos Forman, and directed by Ivan Passer, Sergei Bodrov and Talgat Temenov. It was released on March 16, 2007 in the USA and distributed by The Weinstein Company. The film has been shot in two versions: in Kazakh by Temenov for distribution in Kazakhstan and in English by Passer/Bodrov for distribution worldwide. The Kazakh government has invested $40,000,000 in film's production, making it the most expensive Kazakh film ever made. Nomad is Kazakhstan's official entry, Best Foreign Language Film for the 79th Academy Awards.
Ulzhan (2007) by Volker Schloendorff. Driven by an inexplicable force, Frenchman Charles decides to leave his homeland and head east. When his car breaks down in Kazakhstan, his urge to travel is still so intense that he decides to proceed by foot. Destitute but happy, he wanders the steppes of Central Asia...
Mongol (2008)Incredible destiny of Gengis Khan. Of his true name Temudgin, this legendary chief of the Mongolian armed forces was one of the largest conquerors of the history of humanity. Between the end of XIIe and the beginning of XIIIe century, it succeeds in linking the Mongolian tribes and created a colossal empire comparable in the face with that of Alexandre the Great.
Tulpan (2008) by Sergeï Dvortsevoy. After having made its service in the marine, Asa returns in the steppes kazhakes to live with his/her sister and her brother-in-law, a stockbreeder of sheep. Asa dreams of this simple life: a family, an yurt, a breeding. Initially, it is necessary that it Marie. Tulpan is the only possible wife, in this end of desert. Alas, Tulpan does not want him: she finds her ears too separated.
ARCHITECTURE - PRESENTThe majority of noteworthy new architecture is found in Astana. Currently under construction is Norman Foster’s Astana Entertainment Centre; the late Kisho Kurokawa’s Astana International Airport development (Kurokawa was also responsible for drawing up the masterplan for Astana) whiel the Turkish architect Murat Tabanlioglu is responsible for Astana Stadium (and the 18 storey Business Centre, Almaty).
ARCHITECTURE - PASTKazakhstan is full of architectural masterpieces reflecting its varied history.
The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (see pic.) and Petroglyphs within the archaeological landscape of Tamgaly are perhapos the most celebrated sites (they are both on Unesco’s World Heritage list). The Turkic sanctuary of Merke and the archaeological sites of Otrar oasis are hugely important works.
ARTContemporary art goes from strength to strength in Kazakhstan and there is an evident desire in many ordinary Kazkhs to own and collect fine art. Rustam Khalfin - who has recorded a remarkable performance in which a soldier recreates the old Kazakh custom of making love to a woman on a galloping horse - is a star of the avant garde scene. Similarly, conceptual artists ‘The Red Tractor Group’ - a group of men who dress as nomadic shamans, beat leather drums and eat horsemeat and noodles as an art statement-have a signiciant following. Saule Suleimenova has captured the imaginations of audiences internationally with her inventive wax engravings on paper. READ MORE ABOUT CONTEMPORARY KAZAKH ART AND IT'S MUSEUMS MUSICEvgeny Brussilovsky (1905-1981) was a Russian composer commissioned to research folk music in Kazakhstan. He spent most of his life in the Kazakh capital of Almaty where he wrote operas in national Kazakh style. Operas include Kiz-Ji-Bek (1934) and Er-Targhin (1937). On a totally different musical level is 13-year-old Madu - Kazakhstan’s answer to Madonna. A pretty brunette, Madu has already sold 500,000 CDs. The teen prodigy is produced by John Themis — who was the genius behind Boy George and cult Russian band TATU. |