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Kazakh Diaspora

Poems by the Kazakh Poet Abay Recited in Paris in Nine Languages

The legacy of the Kazakh poet Abay Kunanbayev recently brought together representatives of different nations in Paris. His works were recited in Kazakh, French, Russian, Chechen, Buryat, Kalmyk, Ingush, Tuvan, and Yakut. The Association of Kazakh Women in France, “QazElles,” thus supported the recently announced proposal to include Abay’s work Words of Admonition on the UNESCO World Heritage List. “As you know, UNESCO’s headquarters are in Paris, so the news that one of Kazakhstan’s most significant literary monuments could officially become part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List is very personal to us. How can we support this? By bringing together those who are not yet familiar with Abay’s work and introducing them to his major poetic masterpieces. This year, Abay’s works will be presented in the languages of various diasporas living in France with whom we are friends,” said Madina Kulmanova, president of the “QazElles” association, in an interview with The Times of Central Asia. [caption id="attachment_46355" align="aligncenter" width="225"] QazElles photos archive[/caption] The monument to Abay, located in the Poets’ Square of the French capital, has become a regular meeting place for admirers of his work since its unveiling in 2021. For Kazakhs living in France, it has become a tradition to hold the “Abay Readings” annually at the poet’s bust to promote the legacy of the founder of Kazakh written literature. This time, Abay in Paris brought together not only Kazakh and French people, but also representatives of the peoples of the Caucasus, as well as Buryat and Kalmyk associations in France. Said Musa Batyrgereev, a representative of the Chechen diaspora: “I am here representing the Association ‘Guardians of Mountain Cultures in France’ and as a representative of the Chechen people. Today we have gathered at the monument to Abay Kunanbayev to honor his memory. Abay was a great poet and a wise man who taught kindness, respect, and humanity. And today I would like to thank the Kazakh people from the bottom of my heart for the help and support they provided to the Chechen people in 1944. We will never forget this.” Representatives of the “Peuple du Baïkal” association, which unites representatives of the peoples of Russia’s Baikal region, thanked the “QazElles” association for the invitation to the annual readings of Abay Kunanbayev’s poems. In the poem they chose to read, “Quiet Night Under the Moon” (“Jelsiz tünde jaryq ai”), the poet lovingly describes the beauty of nature and the tenderness of relationships. [caption id="attachment_46356" align="aligncenter" width="225"] QazElles photos archive[/caption] Radmila Boyer, a representative of the association, noted that listening to Abay’s poem immerses one in a world of beauty and love. “This poetic morning brought us, different peoples, closer together, gave us a wonderful mood, the joy of communication, and inspiration for future joint cultural projects,” she said. Tulips were laid at the Abay monument in honor of the readings. This served as a reference to another project by the “QazElles” association, which, with the support of the Shymkent city authorities, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in...

3 weeks ago

Obituary

Olimjon Toshkenboyev, Uzbek Tightrope Master and Cultural Figure, Dies

Olimjon Toshkenboyev, an acrobat from a family dynasty of performers who promoted the Uzbekistani tightrope walking art known as dorbozlik, has died at the age of 81. In a condolence message to Toshkenboyev’s family, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Culture said he was “a famous representative of Uzbek circus art” who made big contributions to national heritage and was a mentor to many students. “Under his leadership, the ‘Uzbekistan Dorbozlari’ group successfully showcased their art in many foreign countries, including Poland, Germany, Egypt, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and others,” the ministry said on Telegram on March 28. Toshkenboyev, whose son and daughter participated in dorbozlik programs, was also the director of Uzbekistan’s state circus association. The Tashkent circus is housed in a landmark Soviet-era building that some observers have compared to a flying saucer. Dorbozlik has a storied history in Uzbekistan. Some accounts say ropewalkers participated in shows in the palace of Amir Temur, the 14th-century Central Asian conqueror who is also known as Tamerlane. “Dorbozes skillfully demonstrated their stunts (running back and forth; jumping; walking with knives and trays tied to their legs; dancing on one or paired ropes blindfolded and with a sack on their heads, etc.) by holding langar (a balancer or long balancing pole) on a rope, which was installed at the height of 25-30 m,” says a website listing Uzbekistan’s “intangible cultural heritage.” Ropewalkers' performances were combined with those of strongmen, illusionists, dancers, comedians and musicians, according to the account. As the folk art evolved, performances moved from fairgrounds and market squares to indoor circuses, wire replaced ropes, metallic poles replaced wooden ones, and safety belts were introduced. At a UNESCO meeting in Namibia in 2015, a committee noted that boys and men were the traditional practitioners of ropewalking in Uzbekistan, and girls were increasingly getting involved. It said there were more than 40 ropewalking troupes in Uzbekistan and that skills were transmitted from generation to generation within families. However, the committee did not accept Uzbekistan’s proposal that the art be included on the U.N. cultural agency’s list of intangible cultural heritage. It raised concerns about the danger, particularly to children, of ropewalking, as well as questions about the originality of the art, since other countries have similar types of performance.

3 weeks ago

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Kyrgyzstan Develops Territories Received from Tajikistan

The Kyrgyz authorities have adopted a resolution that transfers into state ownership land and real estate received from Tajikistan under the agreement on the delimitation and demarcation of the state border. According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the State Agency for State Property Management must register the transferred assets on its balance sheet, after which they will be handed over to local administrations in the Batken and Leylek districts of Batken region. District authorities are expected to distribute the property among citizens who lost their homes and assets as a result of the border agreement, as well as those whose properties were demolished during the construction of border infrastructure. The government has also instructed the State Agency for Land Resources, Cadastre, Geodesy, and Cartography to conduct an inventory of land plots in the region, while the Ministry of Construction will develop master plans for settlements in the transferred territories. The resolution notes that the list of real estate assets may be revised as the border line is refined during the demarcation process. The border agreement was reached following negotiations between the two countries' presidents, Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon, and was subsequently ratified by the parliaments of both countries. Under its terms, the sides exchanged territories, including previously disputed areas. Following the agreement, Kyrgyzstan began constructing barriers along the new border line. Authorities in both countries expect that completing the demarcation process will help stabilize the situation and prevent further conflict.

3 weeks ago

Healthcare

Kazakhstan Is Rethinking Its Healthcare System, Focusing on Prevention

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health has outlined updated investment and development plans for 2023-2027, signaling a shift in the country’s healthcare approach from treating diseases to preventing them, strengthening biosafety, and expanding mental health support. However, some experts warn that the new strategy could have unintended economic consequences, including the reallocation of budget funds toward information campaigns, digital initiatives, and infrastructure projects whose effectiveness may be difficult to assess. One of the key areas of reform is the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. Authorities are considering restrictions on advertising products high in salt, sugar, and trans fats, amid rising childhood obesity rates. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 21% of children in Kazakhstan aged 6-9 are overweight. Such restrictions could affect the media market. Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicates that bans on advertising unhealthy food can reduce media revenues. In Kazakhstan, this could increase pressure on an industry already subject to limits on advertising alcohol, tobacco, and certain medications. At the same time, the ministry plans to expand public awareness campaigns, including video content and national initiatives such as “Salamatty shanyraq” (“Healthy Family”). Public health research suggests that the effectiveness of such campaigns can be difficult to measure, and their impact on behavior may be limited. Another priority is the creation of a “biological shield” system, including genomic and metagenomic surveillance, as well as the development of domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. These initiatives are expected to attract up to $380 million in private investment. However, concerns remain about implementation capacity. Previous reports have highlighted inefficient use of medical equipment. In 2024, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova stated that expensive equipment in some medical facilities remained unused. In certain regions, shortages of trained specialists and necessary consumables have prevented effective deployment. The third component of the strategy focuses on mental health. Authorities plan to expand the network of specialized centers and introduce the uSupport digital platform to provide online consultations. At the same time, public trust in the state system remains limited. According to official data, individuals with addictions often avoid seeking treatment due to fears of being registered, which could restrict access to employment, education, and driver’s licenses. Experts also highlight the scale of gambling addiction. Estimates suggest that around 350,000 people in Kazakhstan suffer from compulsive gambling, while the growing availability of online casinos and microfinance services continues to contribute to rising household debt. The shift toward a preventive healthcare model aligns with global trends. However, analysts warn that without effective implementation, the reform could result in increased administrative pressure on businesses, inefficient public spending, and limited improvements in health outcomes.

3 weeks ago

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...

3 weeks ago