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[edgekz]

Kazakhstan: A True Transit Link Between East and West

By Tom Michael

Kazakhstan – the world’s fifth largest country in terms of land mass – is aiming to put its valuable territory to global good use as it participates in a massive new railway-to-sea transit route linking China with Eastern Europe.

Often referred to as the New Silk Road (a nostalgic and honorary acknowledgement of the ancient Silk Road trade route), the transport route will move freight and passengers overland between Pacific seaports in the Russian Far East and China and seaports in Europe.

The transcontinental railroad currently comprises the Trans-Siberian Railway, which runs through Russia and is sometimes called the Northern East-West Corridor, and the new Eurasian Land Bridge or Second Eurasian Continental Bridge, running through China and Kazakhstan.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/kazakhstan-a-true-transit-link-between-east-and-west/

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Kazakhstan’s Mysterious Rock Carvings: Tamgaly Tas

By Kamila Zhumabayeva

For more than 100 years, scientists have been trying in vain to unravel the mystery of one of the country’s most-visited tourist sites. Just about 120 kilometers from Almaty, on the right bank of the Ili River, is a set of 60-meter rocky gates: the sacred and mysterious Tamgaly Tas tract.

At Tamgaly Tas, rock carvings and paintings of Buddha, bodhisattvas and different styles of Tibetan scripture can be seen on separate cliffs and boulders.

“There are no exact answers for who were those nameless carvers, to what purpose they left descendants these rock drawings but the intrigue only fuels interest in the mysterious petroglyphs [rock carvings]. Thousands of tourists flock to the tract every year to see Buddhist deities and have a touch of eternity,” states Shopomania.kz project.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/kazakhstans-mysterious-rock-carvings-tamgaly-tas/

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Kazakhstan a Good Fit for UN Security Council Seat

 By Tom Michael  

Kazakhstan’s role as a leader in Central Asia and, indeed, the entire world gained another dimension this summer as the ambitious but peace-seeking nation was elected to a non-permanent position on the powerful United Nations Security Council for 2017-2018 .

The U.N.’s 193 member countries selected Kazakhstan over Thailand for the prestigious international post in June after a spirited campaign by both nations.

“The election campaign was very competitive, and took many years of hard work, and we feel privileged to be a UNSC member,” Karat Umarov, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the United States, told EdgeKz.

Also elected to non-permanent positions on the world body’s Security Council were Bolivia, Ethiopia and Sweden. Each of the four nation’s terms are for two years, beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. Italy and the Netherlands had to split the other seat’s two year term after no country was able to secure enough votes to win outright.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/kazakhstan-a-good-fit-for-un-security-council-seat/

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From Weight Loss to Weddings: Some Features of Kazakh Comedy and Comedians

By Zhanna Shayakhmetova

ASTANA – Humor knows no boundaries. Every country has its own army of comedians and satirists whose performances attract a spectrum of viewers – and now, social media allows its millions of users who poke fun at everything a chance at fame by means of a camera and a good sense of humor.

Humor is a reflection of human behavior, according to Dutch psychologist Geert Hofstede. A society’s humor tends to emphasize the most dominant features of its culture, and Kazakh culture is no exception. Beneath the humor and laughs is a rich layer of social narration about the country’s realities.

In Kazakhstan today, the television and film industry produce a variety of original shows and comedies for all tastes. Windy weather in Astana, the behavior of local taxi drivers, funny dances at weddings and the importance of family ties are among the subjects that draw laughs. The fact that people not only know but laugh at modern society’s drawbacks and weak point indicates that humor serves as an instrument to neutralize the power of these clichés and situations.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/from-weight-loss-to-weddings-some-features-of-kazakh-comedy-and-comedians/ By Zhanna Shayakhmetova

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Open, Stable and Looking to Future – What World Needs to Know about Oil-Rich Kazakhstan

By Dmitry Lee

Kazakhstan, the biggest country you know nothing or little about, has been in the news recently for a grab bag of reasons: indomitable boxing champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin; gold medal Olympic upsets by its athletes; a massive, $37 billion investment in just one of its huge oil fields; and, in June, the country’s sad taste of terrorism, putting it in a grim fraternity with the other nations that have suffered attacks this summer.

And, of course, underlying it all are the lingering myths from “Borat,” the faux documentary of a decade ago that was for many in the West their first introduction to the quiet giant – and with which Kazakhstan maintains a sort of love-hate relationship.

Amid this tornado of tidbits old and new, Edge Magazine takes aim at what really defines modern Kazakhstan – and what you need to know.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/open-stable-and-looking-to-future-what-world-needs-to-know-about-oil-rich-kazakhstan/

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Modern Subcultures Evolve in Great Steppe

By Kamila Zhumabayeva

This writer used to wear bracelets and outfits that supposedly expressed being a hard rock or heavy metal fan. Owning a heavy ironman’s belt showed tribute and admiration of hard rock music and culture that once seemed so daring and cool.

My genuine love of rock, alternative and indie rock music started with the American band Breaking Benjamin on My Space. Then it was Kings of Leon, Linkin Park and The Fray. That was about five years ago. Awesome Tom York, Muse, Florence and the Machine, alt-J and The xx are still enjoyable, while at times my dress is hippie-like.

What is going on in the capital’s trend to establish modern subcultures? Astana Rock Club, the city’s first and only official club, stood at the origins of its underground development. It is the city’s unique place where the spirit of freedom and creativity soars. The main goal is organising, developing and supporting the rock movement and other alternative music areas in Astana, as well as integrating and creatively nurturing the capital’s youth.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/modern-subcultures-evolve-in-great-steppe/

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The Family Financial Crisis: How Kazakh Households are Fighting a Global Slowdown

By Yerbolat Uatkhanov

The devaluation of the national currency, the tenge, hurt many families in Kazakhstan. To deal with the devaluation, many people have overhauled their family budgets, a process now often discussed when family and friends meet over tea or beer. People are full of advice on how to save money, or when and how to get second or side jobs.

All these discussions make me think of two families I know. These two families differ in their consumption habits, despite having approximately equal incomes. The fathers in these two families had the same position in the same company, and, therefore, very similar salaries, but they lived very differently. I always compared them to two small states, where the wives were ministers of finance, spending family/state revenue so differently.

We’re going to delve into the reasons behind these differences, but first, I’d like to let some members of these families speak for themselves.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/the-family-financial-crisis-how-kazakh-households-are-fighting-a-global-slowdown/

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Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theatre Celebrates 115th Anniversary

By Zhazira Dyussembekova

Astana is not known internationally for its theatre life, but that reputation could change. One of the capital’s theatres is celebratinga three-digit anniversary, which shows its theatre life is not young and has every right to be amongitssignificant features.

Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theatre, in the heart of the old part of the city on the right bank, is attracting viewers for the 115th season. One of the oldest theatres in Kazakhstan, it was established in the end of the 19th century.

“Over the past 115 years, the theatre has gone through a lot. Recent decades have seen the ups and wins of the creative troupe. Today, Gorky Theatre is one of the pillars of the cultural world in Kazakhstan. There are more than 20 current productions in the repertoire of the theatre. Famous directors with the creative team are doing a more attractive and competitive repertoire. This is proven by festivals and competitions, tours and most discussed performances. In the new theatre season, we offered you more new premieres and many viewers’ favourite plays of past seasons,” notes the theatre’s website.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/gorky-state-academic-russian-drama-theatre-celebrates-115th-anniversary/

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New Mayor in Town: Almaty’s Contingency Plan

By Dmitry Lee

With the rise of Astana, Kazakhstan’s new capital, and the hype surrounding the city’s EXPO 2017, heaps of international projects and Abu Dhabi Plaza, the tallest sky scraper in Central Asia, what will happen to Kazakhstan’s former capital?

The largest city by population, Almaty accommodates almost 1.5 million of the country’s 17 million people and some of its largest corporations, like telecommunication companies and banks. If Astana is often referred to as the administrative capital, Almaty is still considered by many to be the financial heart of the country – but for how long?

Although the two major cities are only separated by a one-and-a-half hour flight, important businesses are slowly moving to the capital, closer to the decision makers, and soon Almaty could slip in growth. The question is – is there a contingency plan?

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/new-mayor-in-town-almatys-contingency-plan/

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Balkhash: Father or Natural Phenomenon

By Yerbolat Uatkhanov

An ancient Kazakh legend says a rich man named Balkhash had a daughter – beautiful Ili. Once, he held a feast and promised to give her to the winner of the groom contest as a wife. Ili, however, loved a shepherd, Karatal, and helped him win. When Balkhash chose not to give Ili to Karatal, the young lovers ran away. As the angry father couldn’t catch them, he turned the couple into rivers, then made himself as a lake between them.

This gorgeous legend tells the story of a lake and the rivers it divides. The legend is mystic, but no more so than Lake Balkhash: it is separated by a strait into two distinct parts; the western portion is fresh, the eastern half, saline.

Read  more: http://www.edgekz.com/balkhash-father-or-natural-phenomenon/

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Kazakhstan’s Enhanced Partnership with EU Strengthens its Global Peace, Economic Goals

By Tom Michael

In a sign of its expanding international influence, Kazakhstan late last year entered into an historic agreement with the European Union, marking the first time a Central Asian nation has formally aligned economically and strategically with Europe to such an extent.

The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement – signed December 21 during a ceremony in the Kazakh capital of Astana – covers 29 areas of cooperation, ranging from politics to investment, trade, infrastructure, innovation, culture, sports, tourism, law enforcement and more. The large parts of the agreement provisionally entered into effect May 1, with its full entry into force dependent on the ratifications by national parliaments of the 28 EU member states.

Read more:

http://www.edgekz.com/kazakhstans-enhanced-partnership-with-eu-strengthens-its-global-peace-economic-goals/

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Ancient Kazakh Geoglyphs – New Traveller Attraction

By Yerbolat Uatkhanov

Satellite pictures of the remote and treeless northern steppe reveal great earthworks in the form of squares, lines, crosses and rings. Their size is equal to several football fields and they can be seen only from the air. The great discovery was made not by a famous scientist or group of experts with special equipment and laboratories, but by an economist in his home using a personal computer.30KAZAKHSTAN2-articleLarge

When he saw the images for the first time, University of Pittsburgh Epidemiology Professor Emeritus Dr. Roland E. LaPorte was amazed and immediately started to search the web for information about the discovery. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find any, because the Kazakh economist was the first one to locate them. Dey had written only one story with a low-quality translation into English. LaPorte used the article to find him with the aid of former American Arms Control Officer James Jubilee, now a senior science and technology coordinator for Kazakh health issues.

LaPorte filed a request with NASA, which confirmed the existence of the steppe geoglyphs, some of which are 8,000 years old. Understanding the importance of the discovery, he did his best to inform the world, especially Europe and the U.S.

http://www.edgekz.com/ancient-kazakh-geoglyphs-new-traveller-attraction/

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Need A Ride? Just Raise Your Hand

By Zhazira Dyussembekova

Driving through Astana or Almaty, every once in a while you’ll see a person standing by the side of the road with their hand out. Take note: they’re hailing informal taxis, a practice that could come in handy if you ever find yourself stranded (or just tired).

Waving a hand can get you an official taxi, a driver who wants to earn some extra money or just someone heading in the same direction. In addition to getting a lift, you’ll also often get a story. Every person you meet on the road has a unique story, different points of view and their own reason for becoming, for that moment, your taxi driver.

I have been living in Astana since 2008 and I have to say, it was strange in the beginning to see people flagging down cars. In other cities of Kazakhstan, people call official cab companies and make orders. But I got used to it, and now it is part of my life, as it must be for other people who move to the capital. Some say that everyone in Astana is a taxi driver. I think there’s some truth to this. People in Kazakhstan usually call cars that stop for strangers on the side of the road “poputka ” (Russian for a hitched car). The practice is like hitchhiking, but inside the city, and it’s understood that riders expect to pay. And despite the rise of InDriver, an app that allows riders to name their price for a ride, many people still prefer the convenience of getting a car by the side of the road.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/need-a-ride-just-raise-your-hand/

[edgekz]

Kazakhstan’s Rich History of Folk Tales and Their Heroes

By Kamila Zhumabayeva

Literature and the arts are separated into epos, lyric poetry and dramatic pieces, which are subdivided into genres. The classification is also generally accepted for folklore.

Folklore scientist, academician and Lev Gumilev Eurasian National University (ENU) Professor Seit Kaskabasov defined folklore as prose. According to world folklore studies, folklore prose is divided into fairy tale and non-fairy tale. Prosaic types of non-fairy tale Kazakh folklore have myths as one of its oldest genres.

“Myth is a fantasy or a lie. It has a hidden truth beneath it and its every word is coded and comes as a metaphor that people have been fighting to find out until today,” said Doctor of Philology Sciences and ENU Professor Zhanat Aimuhambet. “From folklore, an aspect of myth is viewed as stories about the creation of the world, gods, nature, animals, insects and so forth that were told for the first time.”

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/kazakhstans-rich-history-of-folk-tales-and-their-heroes/

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Establishing Int’l Uranium Bank, Helping Nuclear Deal in Iran Latest Kazakh Contributions to Global Security

By Tom Michael

Last summer, the United States, Iran and five other high-profile nations shared center stage in the international spotlight as they sealed a deal to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program in exchange for easing of crippling sanctions that had wrecked the Middle Eastern power’s economy.

While the major players took credit for the agreement, one Central Asian nation’s contribution was largely overlooked by the international media. But nuclear policy experts and U.S. officials contend that Kazakhstan’s involvement – from its willingness to host two rounds of multi-lateral talks in 2013 to its decision to open a low enriched uranium bank that can be seen as creating the international environment for such deals to its general support of the compromise – should not be underestimated.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry praised Kazakhstan’s role in the deal brokered in July 2015.

“Kazakhstan contributed significantly to this effort… providing some of the natural uranium material that Iran has received in exchange for its enriched material, and helping to facilitate the shipment,” Kerry said. “Kazakhstan’s contribution builds on its hosting of early rounds of the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the UK, the U.S. + Germany) talks that led to the successful conclusion of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).”

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/establishing-intl-uranium-bank-helping-nuclear-deal-in-iran-latest-kazakh-contributions-to-global-security/

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Kazakh Nomadic Way of Life Influenced Modern Metalworking Traditions

By Dmitry Lee

Modern metalworking in Kazakhstan is a broad subject spanning jewelry, arts and crafts, weaponry and metal export to global markets. EdgeKz dug deeper into history and investigated the circumstances and traditions which have influenced various skills and patterns.

“The main motifs of cultural metal working patterns and ornaments are zoomorphic,” said Zhambyl Artykbayev, doctor of historical sciences and professor at Lev Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana. “We are talking about 4,500–4,000 B.C., the beginning of the horse breeding era. This is the period of the new model of the Eurasian steppe culture, where horse breeding is the pivotal point.”

Kazakhs maintained their horse breeding traditions nearly 7,000 years until the 20th century. The Eurasian steppes were well-suited for domestication and breeding.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/kazakh-nomadic-way-of-life-influenced-modern-metalworking-traditions/

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Young Generation Follows Aitys Traditions

By Zhazira Dyussembekova

Aitys (Aitysh in some sources) is an ancient art of improvisation. Itwas added in December to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO) World List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

“Two performers (‘akyns’ or ‘aityskers’) compete with each other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections. The winner is the performer considered to have demonstrated the best musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit,” according to the UNESCO website.

The best akyns in Kazakhstan are presented with the Golden Dombra, a special award given in early December before Independence Day. Last year’s main prize went to Aspanbek Shugatayev, representing Pavlodar. The year was a very successful one for him, as he also claimedthe title and a large cash prize at the contest dedicated to the 550th anniversary of Kazakh Khanate.

Read more: http://www.edgekz.com/young-generation-follows-aitys-traditions/