Kazakhstan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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TCA Interviews

Actor Rauan Akhmedov on Cinema in Kazakhstan and Why He Has No Interest in Hollywood

Rauan Akhmedov is one of Kazakhstan’s most sought-after young actors. Despite his rapidly rising career and growing international interest in Kazakh cinema, the 22-year-old says his priority is to continue developing within the domestic industry. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, he discusses the state of cinema in Kazakhstan, the role of personal experience in his acting, and why tradition and modernity are not mutually exclusive. TCA: Your breakthrough came with Black Yard, directed by Dias Bertis. Is it true he noticed you while you were filming a small cameo in the series The Player? Rauan: Yes. I came to the audition, and we were rehearsing a scene with another candidate, I think he was reading for a doctor. We weren’t getting it right, so at some point the director stepped away. I then suggested to my scene partner that we try a different approach. Dias overheard us, came over, and said, “Switch roles.” We did, and he decided I should take the part. Apparently, he liked my performance, and later he invited me to Black Yard. TCA: You have three films coming out this spring. Is the Kazakhstani film industry becoming overcrowded? Do you feel the urge to work abroad? Rauan: Not yet. I want to follow my own path and realize my potential here. I believe Kazakhstani cinema can reach a very high level. I don’t dream about Hollywood. If I ever end up there, I want it to be through a Kazakhstani project. It’s important for me to stay at home, the language, the culture, the people. I want to grow here and contribute to the development of cinema in my country. Especially as audiences abroad are beginning to take an interest in our films. We haven’t conquered the world yet, but we’re improving all the time. Kazakhstan has strong potential. TCA: Would you describe yourself as a patriot? Rauan: Yes. I respect our filmmakers. When someone succeeds, when a film performs well at the box office, I’m genuinely pleased, even if it’s not my project. I think that once we overcome internal divisions and start supporting one another, we can achieve a great deal. TCA: Many films are now being shot in the Kazakh language. Does that give Kazakh-speaking actors a competitive advantage? Rauan: Probably. But in my view, that’s natural. Every country produces films in its own language. We are Kazakhs, who else will make films in Kazakh? At the same time, I respect all languages, Russian, English, Chinese. The more languages you know, the broader your perspective. TCA: You often portray characters from the 1990s, even though you were born in the 2000s. How do you research that period? Rauan: Partly through my parents. But it’s not that long ago, you can find a lot online, and I experienced some of it myself. For example, we had a rotary phone at home. We often used a VCR to watch home videos, family celebrations, my parents’ wedding. I saw how young they...

Food & Drink

Traditional Kazakh Foods Find a Niche in Foreign Markets

Traditional Kazakh food products such as kazy (a sausage-like delicacy made of horse meat), kumys (a fermented beverage made from mare’s milk), and kurt (dry cheese made from fermented milk) are now expanding beyond Kazakhstan's borders, becoming part of the country's export potential. According to QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center, with state support, the export of traditional Kazakh foods could reach $50-$80 million by 2028. Russia and China remain the largest markets for traditional Kazakh foods, as these countries are home to more than 2 million ethnic Kazakhs, which creates a stable demand for traditional products. Kurt and kumys are particularly popular on the Russian market. In China, especially in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, home to more than 10 million Muslims, there is growing demand for meat delicacies and halal products. The export of traditional Kazakh dairy products shows steady growth. The export of kumys, shubat (camel's milk), and ayran (fermented cow's milk) totaled $13.4 million in 2024 and $17.3 million in 2025 (a 29.4% increase). The main difficulty in exporting kumys is its short shelf life. Chilled kumys can be stored for only 3-5 days, so delivering it to more distant markets is a challenge. Producers are currently seeking solutions to this problem, including pasteurising it so that it can be stored for up to 30 days, as well as lyophilised kumys powder. Such products are already being supplied to China, although volumes remain modest for now. Kazakhstan's traditional foods are gradually finding their niche in foreign markets under a nomadic gastronomy brand, the cuisine of steppe culture, based on natural meat and dairy products. In October 2025, another Kazakh delicacy entered the U.S. market when Tary Coffee, a cafe aimed at introducing visitors to Kazakh cuisine and traditional products, began operating in Chicago. One of the products featured on the menu is talkan, which is made from roasted and ground grains. In addition to talkan, the cafe’s menu features traditional Kazakh foods such as millet, nawut (crystallised sugar), alongside various grain-based ingredients. According to Aitmukhamed Aldazharov, General Director of QazTrade, traditional Kazakh foods meet the world's growing demand for functional foods and superfoods. Kurt is a source of valuable microelements, while tary and talkan are becoming increasingly recognised by foreign buyers during trade missions and international exhibitions. “Traditional steppe food sells well and is in demand through networks of Kazakh restaurants and cafes abroad. For example, the famous cappuccino with tary, a kind of 'ground steppe coffee,' has already entered the U.S. market," he said.

Fencing

World’s Top Fencers Compete in Astana and Tashkent

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are hosting World Cup fencing competitions this week, reflecting the growth of the sport in Central Asia. Top fencers from around the world have gathered in the Kazakhstani capital of Astana for the men’s and women’s epee competition, which started on Thursday and runs until Sunday. The two-day women’s saber contest in Tashkent, Uzbekistan began on Friday. A third World Cup, in men’s saber, is currently underway in Budapest, Hungary. In total, more than 800 elite fencers are participating in the three events, according to the International Fencing Federation. The federation says second-ranked Giulia Rizzi of Italy and sixth-ranked Hungarian Eszter Muhari are the fencers “to watch” on the women’s side in Astana, while on the men’s side, tenth-ranked Tristen Tulen of the Netherlands has had a breakout year. In Tashkent, two-time world champion Misaki Emura of Japan is a favorite. Still, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are establishing their presence in international fencing, winning medals in high-level competitions. Last year, the men’s epee team of Kazakhstan won bronze at the World Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, beating France for the medal. The Uzbek competition will be hosted in the state-of-the-art Olympic City, the largest sports complex in Central Asia, and the designated hub for the 4th Asian Youth Games in 2029. One of Uzbekistan’s top women is Zaynab Dayibekova, who competed in the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris and is currently ranked 29th in the world. She was part of the women's saber team from Uzbekistan that won gold at the 2023 Asian Games, defeating host China in the semifinal and then Japan in the final. Speaking at the opening ceremony in Tashkent, Otabek Umarov, First Deputy Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia, said: “We are delighted to welcome the world’s best senior female fencers to Tashkent to experience Uzbekistan’s renowned hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and world-class sports facilities. We are grateful to our friends at the International Fencing Federation for their trust in our ability to host a spectacular event."

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now

As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. This week, the team examine a series of major developments across Central Asia, from the results of Kazakhstan's constitutional referendum to the announcement of new Chinese-funded border outposts and fortifications along Tajikistan's frontier. We also look at the continuing fallout from the security shake-up in Kyrgyzstan, with further arrests and resignations, as well as the increasingly strange foreign movements of Turkmenistan's senior leadership while war continues to rage just across the border in Iran, alongside Tehran's threats to strike Turkmen infrastructure. The episode then turns to the escalating conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of the heaviest fighting in months is raising fresh questions about border stability, regional security, and the risk of wider spillover. Finally, for our main story, we bring on a panel of experts to discuss the growing issues surrounding the Rogun Dam and its resettlement project, and how both are likely to affect the states downstream. On the show this week: - Eugene Simonov (Rivers Without Boundaries Coalition) - Mark Fodor (Coalition for Human Rights in Development)

Public Art

Monument to Human Chain Rescue Unveiled in Almaty

In 2016, residents of Almaty formed a human chain to rescue a dog and its owner who had become trapped in a river. Ten years later, in March 2026, an art installation commemorating the dramatic rescue was unveiled on the Ulken River, which flows into the Sairan Reservoir, one of the city’s most popular recreational areas. The sculpture stands near the site of the incident. The dog had fallen into the water and was unable to climb out because of the steep riverbanks. Its owner climbed down in an attempt to help but also became stranded. Witnesses then joined forces to pull them to safety. A video of the rescue quickly went viral, reportedly attracting about 15 million views on the Daily Mail’s Facebook page and a further 6.5 million views across other social media platforms. International television networks also covered the story. The installation depicts a chain of people holding onto one another, symbolizing solidarity and mutual assistance. The hand of the final figure extends beyond the fence, allowing visitors to grasp it and symbolically take part in the rescue. City officials said the sculpture was funded by private donations. According to media reports, the identities of the individuals who took part in the rescue remain unknown. “The concept of the installation is based on the ideas of mutual aid, solidarity, and unity. The composition shows figures linked in a chain, symbolizing support and collective action in overcoming difficulties. It is inspired by an image that resonated widely with the public and reflects values close to every resident,” an official statement said. [caption id="attachment_45900" align="aligncenter" width="286"] Still from the 2016 rescue video[/caption] The installation was created by Yerbosyn Meldibekov, a prominent contemporary artist from Kazakhstan whose works are held in museum collections in Antwerp, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other cities. This is not the first time that acts of animal rescue in Kazakhstan have inspired artistic tributes. In 2019 in Almaty and in 2020 in Karaganda, murals were painted on residential buildings in memory of forestry inspector Yerlan Nurgaliyev, who was killed by poachers. The murals depict him holding a rescued saiga calf and are based on a photograph that went viral after his death. The incident took place in January 2019 in the Karaganda Region. Game wardens Pyotr Nitsik and Yerlan Nurgaliyev were pursuing poachers illegally hunting saiga antelopes when they were attacked. Nurgaliyev was killed, while his colleague survived with serious injuries. The perpetrators were later detained. Nurgaliyev was posthumously awarded the Order of Barys for bravery and self-sacrifice in the line of duty, and Nitsik also received a state award.

TCA Interviews

Why More Students in Kazakhstan Choose to Study Abroad

An increasing number of students in Kazakhstan are considering education abroad. For some, it offers access to high-quality academic programs; for others, it provides opportunities to gain international experience, learn new languages, and improve career prospects. Interest in foreign universities is growing among school graduates and their parents, who increasingly view overseas education as an investment in their children’s future. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, 678,100 students were enrolled in higher education institutions in Kazakhstan at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. At the same time, data from the International Trade Administration indicate that more than 90,000 Kazakhstani citizens are currently studying abroad. Sanzhar Uvashev, an employee of InterPress Abroad, a company that assists applicants seeking admission to foreign universities, spoke about the factors influencing students’ choices and the opportunities offered by international education. TCA: Tell us about your work. What does your organization do? Uvashev: Our company helps students apply to universities abroad. We support applicants in selecting academic programs, preparing documents, and navigating the entire admissions process. One of our distinguishing features is that we are not limited to a specific list of partner institutions or countries. We can assist students in applying to a wide range of universities, depending on their individual preferences. TCA: Which countries are currently the most popular destinations? Uvashev: We work with a broad range of destinations, particularly the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, as well as countries across Europe and Asia. Recently, students have shown greater interest in exploring multiple options rather than focusing on a single country. Some prioritize studying in an English-speaking environment, others seek more affordable tuition, while some focus on scholarship opportunities and employment prospects after graduation. TCA: What opportunities exist today for students from Central Asia to study abroad? Uvashev: Opportunities are expanding. Many universities are paying closer attention to applicants from Central Asia, as international students contribute to a more diverse academic environment. As a result, institutions are offering scholarships, tuition discounts, and preparatory programs. Awareness of the region is growing, and with it the range of options available to students. TCA: Why do students continue to choose the U.S. and other destinations? Uvashev: The U.S. remains one of the most popular destinations because of its strong universities and perceived career opportunities. At the same time, countries such as Italy, Austria, and China are also attracting interest. Italy and Austria appeal to students because public universities there can offer relatively affordable, and in some cases almost free, education. China has gained popularity due to the quality of its universities, their rising positions in global rankings, and the availability of scholarships for international students. TCA: Are there programs that allow students to study free of charge? Uvashev: Yes. Students often inquire about scholarship schemes that significantly reduce tuition fees or cover them entirely. Examples include the Bolashak international scholarship program, Stipendium Hungaricum, and Erasmus Mundus. These initiatives provide talented applicants with real opportunities to obtain an education abroad, provided they are well...