Our People > Tamila Olzhbaekova

Tamila Olzhbaekova

Journalist

Tamila Olzhabekova is a journalist, award-winning illustrator, and a volunteer, curator and event organizer in the DOSTAR diaspora of Kazakhstan organization.
Prior to working for The Times of Central Asia, she has written for Peter Tv, First Line, Five Corners, Sport.Kz, and numerous other publications. A campaigner for interethnic harmony and the protection of stray animals, she studied at St. Petersburg State University.

Articles

Tourism

Uzbekistan Travel Tips from Professional Guide Eleonora Radjabova

Uzbekistan is increasingly attracting tourists from all over the world, eager to experience its rich cultural heritage, unique architecture and spectacular landscape. Eleonora Radjabova, a professional guide in Uzbekistan since 2007, spoke to TCA about her own favorite locations and provided tips on how to make the most of your trip to her country. [caption id="attachment_22627" align="aligncenter" width="720"] photo: elya.uz.guide - Eleonora Radjabova[/caption] TCA: What are your personal favorite places and activities in Uzbekistan? My favorite places and activities in Uzbekistan highlight the diversity and richness of the natural environment and cultural experiences my country has to offer. I especially love Bukhara for its ancient historical heritage and architectural masterpieces. Walking through the narrow streets and markets of this medieval city is a unique and immersive experience filled with dazzling, iconic monuments at every turn. [caption id="attachment_22628" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] photo: TCA -Bukhara[/caption] For those wishing a flavor of Uzbekistan’s landscape, I recommend Chimgan and Amirsoy, both within easy reach of Tashkent. Chimgan, set in the Ugam Chatkal National Park and 85 kilometers from the city, is perfect for an active vacation. Sometimes known as ‘Uzbek Switzerland’ with mountains rising to 3309m above sea level, Chimgan has facilities for various extreme sports. In winter, it operates as a ski-resort whilst in summer, paragliding provides an exhilarating experience and breath-taking views of the terrain from high in the air. Apart from being ideal for day-trippers, the resort which specializes in eco-tourism, offers a wide range of accommodation for longer stays. [caption id="attachment_22630" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] photo: skipedia.ru -Chimgan[/caption] Amirsoy, just 65 kilometers from Tashkent, offers an easily accessible respite from city life. Flanked by the Chaktal Ridge and Tian Shan mountains, its beautiful rolling landscape offers numerous trails for hiking and walking, alongside spas and pools. [caption id="attachment_22634" align="aligncenter" width="497"] photo: Uzbek Travel -Amirsoy[/caption] Lake Aidarkul, a unique oasis of sorts in the Kyzylkum Desert, is another of my favorite places to relax and enjoy outdoor recreation. It is especially beautiful in August when people come to its shores to enjoy the sunset then gaze at the starry sky. A natural wilderness and home to rare species of birds as well as pelicans, herons, geese and black storks, the area is a mecca for birdwatchers. Visitors can also experience a unique taste of nomadic life by embarking on a trip through the desert on camels – “ships of the desert"- to spend a night in a yurt. [caption id="attachment_22631" align="aligncenter" width="900"] photo:adantour.com -Lake Aidarkul[/caption] TCA: Why are these places and activities especially dear to you? These places and activities recharge my vigor, positively influence my mood, and I return to the city, to my work, with new ideas and impressions. TCA: What tips can you offer tourists to get the most out of their visit? It’s all about forward planning! I recommend determining in advance, aspects of the country which interest you most -historical monuments, culture, nature, cuisine -to help pick a tour tailored to your preferences. Make...

2 years ago

Cultural Heritage

Burabay National Park: A Place of Respite, Legends and Cultural Heritage

Burabay National Park, located just 250 kilometers from Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, is a place of outstanding natural beauty offering easily accessible respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Known by its Russian name ‘Borovoye’, from boro meaning pine forest - until 2000, the park spans 85,000 hectares on which visitors can participate in outdoor pursuits from cycling, horseback riding and skiing, to swimming, kayaking, sailing and water skiing, or simply relax and enjoy the fresh clean air and magnificent views of the hills and mountains. [caption id="attachment_22204" align="aligncenter" width="1260"] Photo: Mt Okzhetpes - TCA, Tamila Olzhbaekova[/caption] Mountaineers can test their skills on Mt Kokshetau, the highest peak standing at 957 meters. For those less experienced, The Three Sisters provide a range of gradients suited to different levels of hikers and climbers, and Mt Bolektau affords panoramic views within an easy 20-minute ascent. For many, the pearls in Burabay’s crown are its crystal-clear lakes. The park boasts no fewer than fourteen, each with its own unique beauty and atmosphere. Amongst the best known are Maloye, Shchuchye, Chebachye, home to 300 species of fish, and the largest, Lake Borovoye, popular for its well-maintained beaches and water sports. Burabay is also a place of great archaeological, cultural, and historic significance and both its origins and natural landmarks are steeped in legends. Origins Different myths tell how disappointed by its barren terrain, either Allah or Tengri decided to enhance the flat Kazakh steppe by scattering it with small mountains, lakes, and forests. The area and its settlers were guarded by a beautiful white camel; a bura in Kazakh, and hence the name, Burabay. Coveting it as a trophy, robbers shot it with an arrow but were instantly flattened when the camel turned into a rock. Today, it is but one of the park’s many legendary landmarks. [caption id="attachment_22211" align="aligncenter" width="752"] Photo: Adobe stock -Zhumbaktas[/caption] Zhumbaktas In the center of Borovoe Lake stands a rocky outcrop known as ‘Zhumbaktas’ which translates as ‘mysterious stone’ in Kazakh. According to legend, a rich Khan sought a wealthy husband for his beautiful daughter but instead, she fell in love with a talented, roaming musician. The couple fled and pursued by the girl’s brothers, sailed to the middle of the lake. The young man, shot through the chest with an arrow, toppled into the water. The girl appealed Tengri, who granting her wish to join her beloved, turned her into a rock. From one side, the island looks like a boat, from another, a girl with her hair blowing in the wind, and when viewed from a different angle, an old woman. [caption id="attachment_22205" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Photo: Dancing Birch Grove - TCA, Tamila Olzhbaekova[/caption] Dancing Birch Grove Amid the park’s vast forests, stands an enchanting grove, where blown by the wind, birch trees sway and intertwine. According to legend, village girls dancing in a clearing froze in fear and turned into trees when they noticed the khan watching them. Mount Okzhetpes According to research...

2 years ago

Traditions

The Yurt : More Than a Humble Abode

Attracted by the region's spectacular, natural landscape, an ever-increasing number of tourists descends on Central Asia each year. For many, one of the highlights, is to experience a night or two in yurts, traditional, humble felt-clad tents which in use for over 2,500 years, were homes to most of Central Asia’s nomads until the 1930’s. [caption id="attachment_21791" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Photo LH: herders' yurts[/caption] Today’s Kazakh, and Kyrgyz herders are semi-nomadic. Winters are spent in villages but during the warmer months, they migrate with their animals to summer pastures and like their ancestors before them, live in yurts. More than a humble abode, the yurt encapsulates the cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic values of both Kazakh and Kyrgyz people; a fact recognized by its inclusion in 2014, in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. [caption id="attachment_21792" align="aligncenter" width="1013"] Photo LH: shanyrak[/caption] To gain a better understanding of the cultural significance of the Kazakh yurt in particular, TCA spoke to Art historian Raushan Yeschanova who explained: “A yurt is not just a dwelling; it is a space that reflects the entire philosophy of Kazakh nomadic culture. It is a house that carries the idea of harmony, freedom and connection with nature. The yurt serves not only as a home, but also as a place for rituals, festivals, and gatherings, making it a central element of Kazakh society." A yurt consists of several key elements, each of which has a meaning beyond its mere function. [caption id="attachment_21793" align="aligncenter" width="1962"] Photo LH: shanyrak in situ[/caption] The Shanyrak or Crown The most cherished component of the yurt, carefully preserved and passed down generations from fathers to sons, the ‘crown’ is a circular structure of steam-bent wood located in the center of the roof to ventilate the interior and allow the escape of smoke from the stove. The cultural importance of the Kazakh shanyrak and Kyrgyz tunduk, is such that it features on the national flags of both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Regarding rules in erecting the yurt, Raushan states: "In spite of the fact that construction is, as they say, a ‘man's business’, women are actively engaged in the construction of the yurt which takes up to three hours. Its assembly is a special ritual in which each element has its own sacral meaning. Only men are permitted to handle the shanyrak which is lifted to the upper part of the frame with a forked pole known as a bakan. Perceived as a symbol of masculinity, women are forbidden to touch the bakan except during childbirth when it is retained in place for them to lean on to ease their labour.” Kerege The circular foundation of the yurt comprises four or more sections of folding wooden lattice linked together on diagonal axes and to the doorframe with braided rope known as saganak. Uyk Traditionally fashioned from wild willow, these long, steam-bent, or straight wooden poles, extend from the kerege and slot into the crown, to form the roof of the yurt. [caption id="attachment_21794"...

2 years ago

ComicCon Astana 24 Art and Culture

Comic Con Astana 24: Mixed Impressions from Delight to Disappointment

Comic Conventions, known as Comic Con, began back in1970 when a group of enthusiasts gathered in San Diego, California to exchange comics. Since then, international festivals promoting comics, pop culture, sci-fi, video games, anime and related films and TV series have soared in popularity, attracting thousands of fans to venues across the globe. Now an annual event, Kazakhstan’s Comic Con was first staged in 2019, and Comic Con Astana '24, running from 25-28 July at the city’s Expo International Exhibition Center, was one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the world of pop culture. Tickets were available online from 15 April as well as at the door. Quick to sell out, the four-day festival attracted over 53,000 visitors from 30 countries. [caption id="attachment_21630" align="alignnone" width="720"] photo TCA : Center stage[/caption] Comprising a comprehensive program representing all aspects of the international comics industry, Astana’s festival included appearances by numerous superstars such as Russian actors Ruzil Minekaev and Anton Lapenko, and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen renowned for his leading role in the TV series ‘Hannibal’ and as Cliff Unger in Hideo Kojima’s video game ‘Death Standing.’ Representing the home front, presentations were made by over 100 Kazakh authors of graphic novels. In addition to having a unique opportunity to meet their heroes, actors and authors, visitors were able to actively participate in various themed events, masterclasses, autograph sessions, and exhibitions. Professionals and attendees alike, injected great flair to the event by dressing as their favorite heroes to compete for prizes totaling US$ 27,000 in a Cosplay contest. [caption id="attachment_21629" align="alignnone" width="540"] photo: TCA: Cosplay participants[/caption] Response to the organizers’ delivery of a dynamic, wide-spanning program was generally positive, with visitors reporting that the event had met their expectations. Many however, commented that their overall impression was significantly marred by the considerable discomfort caused by lengthy, bottleneck queues of up to three hours to either enter the building or access popular events. [video width="480" height="848" mp4="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WhatsApp-Video-2024-08-13-at-17.49.23_d55b7dfb.mp4"][/video] "The program was great, especially meeting our favorite actors,” a guest named Altair, told TCA. “But the queues were simply unbearable. We spent almost half of the day just waiting, and it greatly affected our enjoyment.” Nastya, another guest, also expressed her dissatisfaction over the control of the flow of visitors: "The festival was cool, but the crush, which led to some visitors fainting, made our stay not as comfortable as we would have liked. I hope that in the future, Comic Con will take this into account and improve the organization.” Aruzhan, the third visitor interviewed by TCA, added, "I liked everything, it was especially cool to see stars from all over the world, but I think they should have sold fewer tickets so that everyone was comfortable in the building.” On the other side of the fence, blogger Anastasiz and a guest headliner of the Comic Con, was similarly upset by administrative oversights and in a video post, condemned the fact that because the queues were not closed, hundreds of people, standing in tight...

2 years ago

World Nomad Games

Astana Prepares to Welcome Visitors in Run-Up to the 5th World Nomad Games

There is a distinctive festive fizz about Astana as the city prepares to host the 5th World Nomad Games. In celebration and in readiness to welcome visitors, the streets, shopping centers, public spaces and even buses, are already festooned with flags and colorful decorations in keeping with this year’s theme “The Gathering of the Great Steppe.” Amid banners bearing the Games' mascots and logo of a solar horseman against a background of Carnelian red, symbolizing energy and vitality, traditionally attired locals, some on horseback and others carrying hunting eagles, proudly roam the streets to promote both the event and their country’s cultural heritage. Taking place from 8 -13 September, the much-anticipated Games will include 21 sports with some 3000 participants from over 85 countries competing in six venues spread across the city: the Astana Arena Stadium, Kazanat Hippodrome Racetrack, Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Wrestling Palace, Alau Ice Palace, Qazaqstan Athletic Sports Complex, and Duman Complex. [caption id="attachment_21497" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] photo TCA: Games banner [/caption] Not exclusive to sport, the Games also include Cultural and Science programs. On a ten- hectare site close to the Kazanat race course, an Ethno-Aul has been erected to house an expansive array of exhibitions, performances and activities related to local customs and cuisine, theater and dance, and traditional craft and music. The equally comprehensive science program, hosted by the National Museum, offers a series of events with a focus on the development of ethno-sports. With the passing years, the Games have become ever-more popular and thanks to the success of a long and concentrated marketing and publicity drive, tours organized by many international travel companies sold-out months ago. As a result, over 100,000 foreign tourists, many of whom have never visited Central Asia, are expected to descend on the city in September. As the Nomad Games approaches, TCA has prepared a list of six must-see sites to encourage visitors to better acquaint themselves with the city, enjoy Astana’s unique atmosphere, and gain a deeper understanding of her cultural and historic heritage as they travel from venue to venue. [caption id="attachment_21472" align="alignnone" width="960"] Photo TCA: Bayterek Tower[/caption] Bayterek Tower Situated on Nurjol Boulevard and erected in August 2002, this 105-metre-high observation tower is a symbol of post-independence Kazakhstan. Its distinctive design was inspired by an ancient Turkic myth in which every year, a sacred bird named Samruk laid an egg (the sun) in the branches of a sacred poplar tree. Once inside, visitors can learn more about the concept behind the tower and its cultural significance, and from the top platform, enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of the city. [caption id="attachment_21474" align="alignnone" width="978"] Photo TCA: Independence Square[/caption] Independence Square At the heart of the city lies Independence Square, surrounded by iconic buildings and monuments. Especially notable is the Kazak Yeli Memorial, a symbol of Kazakhstan’s destiny. Atop its 91- meter tower stands a golden eagle, and around its base, images related to the country’s past and present, from heroic ‘batyrs’ or clan leaders from the Golden Horde and dombra...

2 years ago