On a sweltering August day, The Times of Central Asia arrived at the Osaka Expo 2025. The theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” set the stage for a carnival of new ideas and technology. Pavilions buzzed with invention, each one a world of its own. Central Asia turned heads – with all five countries represented – with vibrant stalls, bustling booths, and grand castle-like showpieces that drew crowds from every corner.
Kazakhstan Pavilion; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland
Kazakhstan’s pavilion presents the theme “Born Bold” in the “Connecting Lives” zone, alongside South Korea, Germany, Luxembourg, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Iran, Monaco, and Türkiye. At its heart rises the shanyrak, the sacred crown of the yurt, once a symbol of roots and now a beacon of unity, mirroring the Expo’s spirit of innovation and shared horizons.
The story begins with the essence of the Kazakh people. Generations, history, culture, and traditions unfold from the Kazakh Khanate and the vast steppe to Abai’s poetry and the nation’s sporting heroes. It is a narrative of memory and strength, where the past is not closed, but carried forward as a living value.
From history, the focus shifts to unity. Every guest becomes part of the experience as their face is woven into a digital mosaic, a vivid symbol of belonging. Interactive technologies present Kazakhstan as a country where diversity does not divide but connects.
From past to present, the spotlight then falls on a Kazakhstan that is inventive and future-ready. Visitors explore the country’s energy transition, green initiatives, digitalization, and work in artificial intelligence, alongside its rise as an investment hub.
Prolonging life – ALEM at the EXPO; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland
The final chapter places pride and place on the groundbreaking ALEM (Astana Life Ex-situ Machine) developed by Kazakh scientists. Created by the Heart Center Foundation, it is already redefining the possibilities of transplantation.
The window for organ transplants is short, from just a few hours for a heart or lungs to more than a day for a kidney. ALEM changes the game. By replicating the body’s internal conditions, it can keep a donor heart alive for 24 hours, opening new possibilities. Only a few models currently exist, including the one on display in the pavilion.
The Turkmenistan Pavilion; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland
The Turkmenistan Pavilion dazzles with three lavish floors beneath an iconic, rounded-triangular ceiling that symbolizes circulation, sustainability, and the flow of life. On the ground level, an epic immersive video left the Japanese audience gasping as it honored Turkmenistan’s great men, legendary horses, and loyal dogs, while women appeared only in fleeting roles.
The second-floor shifts to the present, celebrating modern achievements, from the smart city of Arkadag to advances in industry, finance, and science. The space unfolds as an eclectic mix of books, jewelry, rugs, and even everyday objects like bottles of oil. At its center, a glowing holographic orb lends a Star Wars-like quality to the story of medicinal plants.
The third level celebrates Turkmen cultural treasures, with handmade carpets and delicate national embroidery on display. Guests can savor organic Turkmen cuisine in a national restaurant, or unwind on an open terrace shaded by traditional gazebos. The theme, “Inspiring a Better Tomorrow,” runs through every detail. By July, the pavilion had already welcomed more than a million visitors, securing its place as one of the Expo’s star attractions.
On the bottom floor, the gift shop tempts visitors with pricey fridge magnets, funky sunglasses, and finely woven rugs. There’s even a chance to slip into traditional garbs, as two Japanese chaps did, grinning as they donned the outfits, and clearly enjoying the transformation.
Ippei Okuma and Gen Nero channel their inner Turkmen at the Turkmenistan Pavilion; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland
It’s an ironic twist. For years, Turkmenistan has been one of the most closed countries in the world, often ranked just behind North Korea in its isolation. Most foreigners can only enter through an accredited Turkmen travel agency, their every move trailed by a government-approved guide. The alternative, a five-day transit visa, is rarely granted. On top of that, Turkmenistan continues to enforce some of the world’s toughest entry requirements, including mandatory PCR tests for all arrivals at Ashgabat International Airport, long after most countries dropped pandemic restrictions.
Hints of change are in the air, however. Rumors suggest the regime is considering easing rules and making the country more accessible to visitors. For a state so tightly sealed, even the possibility of a softer stance feels momentous.
Kyrgyzstan Pavilion; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland
Tajikistan Pavilion; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland
Join us again soon for the second stop in our Expo 2025 series, as we explore the award-winning Uzbek Pavilion. A fusion of heritage and ingenuity, it offers a striking vision of Uzbekistan’s concept of a green tomorrow.
