Interview - The Times Of Central Asia

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Interview Sports national traditions Kazakhstani cinema

How Kazakhstan Revives National Traditions Through Cinema

At a recent press screening of the Kazakhstani fantasy comedy All on Mosles: Battle of the Generations, the audience laughed, applauded and, perhaps most tellingly, relived childhood memories. Some even left wanting to play asyki again. The film’s creators achieved what seemed nearly impossible: they transformed an almost forgotten traditional game into a vibrant cinematic adventure appealing to both adults and children. The Times of Central Asia spoke with the film's authors, Yerken Gubashev, Yerkebulan Bekturov, and Mikhail Ulanov, about how the project came to life, the challenges they encountered, and why asyk atu is more than just a game. Now showing across Kazakhstan, the film centers on asyk atu, an ancient game where players aim to knock opponents’ asyk (ram’s knuckle bones) from a designated area using a special, often weighted and decorated, throwing asyk known as a sak. Popular across Soviet Kazakhstan until the 1990s, the game has since been revived by cultural activists. Today, asyk atu is included on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. [caption id="attachment_30806" align="aligncenter" width="797"] Image: TCA, Askar Kubaizhanov[/caption] TCA: Tell us about your film. How did the idea come about? Yerken Gubashev: I was really the initiator of the whole project. I co-wrote the script, co-produced the film, and played one of the lead roles. But more than that, it was my dream to bring asyki back and turn them into something grand. Watching my son and his friends sitting on the street, absorbed in their phones, was tough. When we were kids, asyki was real life. We played for hours, competing, learning dexterity, patience, and respect. I started imagining a world where asyki was the number one sport, with world championships and a whole culture surrounding it. I shared the idea with Yerkebulan and Mikhail, and we couldn’t stop. Mikhail Ulanov: We began to imagine: What if asyks could fly? What if each player had a unique technique? What if one could come to life or transform into a weapon? From this, a fantastical world emerged, rooted in tradition but filled with comedy, fantasy, and even superhero parody. Yerkebulan Bekturov: We shaped the film to resonate with modern youth: short, dynamic scenes, sharp transitions, and vivid visuals. Yet it tells a complete story. We believe it will appeal not just to Kazakhstani audiences but also internationally. There are lots of nods to Hollywood, The Gentlemen, Kill Bill, and others, which helps bridge cultures. TCA: The film isn’t just entertainment, is it? Is there a cultural mission here? Yerken Gubashev: Absolutely. Our goal is to bring asyki back to the playgrounds so kids share, compete, and step away from social media. More broadly, it's about reconnecting with our roots. Kazakh traditional culture is rich but underrepresented in cinemas. Importantly, asyki isn’t only Kazakh, it’s a Turkic game played by Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Bashkirs, Tatars, Yakuts, and even in the Caucasus. It’s a vast cultural universe that unites Turkic peoples. Today, even the U.S., Norway, and Finland have national teams. A...

Politics Nazarbayev Reforms Interview Tokayev Trump Foreign Policy president Geopolitics

Tokayev on Kazakhstan’s Future: Reforms, Diplomacy, and Global Leadership

In an interview with the Kazakh newspaper Ana Tili, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed pressing domestic and international policy issues shaping Kazakhstan's development. Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as a stabilizing force in the international arena during a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. “My main goal is to strengthen the economic potential, sovereignty, and international position of our state. From the very beginning of my presidency, I have taken full responsibility for the decisions I make and their consequences. I cannot and do not want to work any other way,” Tokayev stated. [caption id="attachment_27253" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Image: Akorda[/caption] Reflecting on Qantar - Building a Just Kazakhstan Tokayev addressed the January 2022 unrest - Qantar - describing the upheaval as a consequence of deep-rooted social injustice and political stagnation. “Three years after Qantar, most of our citizens understand that the unprecedented unrest was driven by social inequality, political stagnation, and the self-serving ambitions of the conspirators,” Tokayev said, warning against the spread of misinformation surrounding the events and emphasized that decisive action was necessary to preserve Kazakhstan’s sovereignty. Tokayev reiterated his commitment to creating a fairer Kazakhstan where all citizens are equal before the law. “Justice is not universal equalization. My course on the fair distribution of national wealth does not mean total expropriation or redistribution of property and assets. Such a policy would lead to degradation and chaos. Instead, we aim to eliminate illegal privileges and return unlawfully acquired assets to the state as part of our modernization strategy,” the president said. Relations with Nazarbayev While acknowledging the achievements of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s first president, Tokayev also critiqued certain aspects of his leadership. “After resigning but remaining chairman of the Security Council, he often held meetings with key officials, creating confusion and sparking rumors of dual power. This situation led some to claim that the Elbasy Institute should supersede presidential authority,” Tokayev noted. He further revealed that Nazarbayev had considered returning to power in 2021, citing his strong ties to Moscow. Advancing Political Reforms and International Relations Tokayev pointed to the successful implementation of key political reforms, emphasizing greater openness and the activation of public participation. “The concept of ‘Strong President, Influential Parliament, Accountable Government’ best suits Kazakhstan’s political system. However, achieving this fully requires sustained effort,” Tokayev explained, reaffirming his belief that a presidential system remains the optimal governance model for Kazakhstan. Tokayev also elaborated on relations with major powers, including Russia, China, and the United States, underscoring the importance of Kazakhstan’s partnership with Russia, highlighting their shared border and deep economic ties. “President Putin is an experienced statesman who values Kazakhstan’s strategic importance as Central Asia’s largest economy. Our constant communication fosters stability in Eurasia,” Tokayev said. He described Kazakhstan’s cooperation with China as dynamic and multifaceted, elevating their relationship to the level of an "eternal strategic partnership." Tokayev also mentioned his conversation with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, noting Trump’s positive view of Kazakhstan as a strategic partner. Nuclear Power Plans, Middle Powers and Global Stability On nuclear energy, Tokayev...

Ethnicity New Kazakhstan Interview

Embracing Diversity: Love Blossoms Between International Couples in New Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a multi-ethnic country in which more than 130 ethnic groups coexist. According to the 2021 census, Kazakhs make up about 70% of the total population, while other ethnic groups make up the remaining 30%. This diversity of cultures and traditions creates a unique atmosphere for interethnic relations. The growing number of international couples in Kazakhstan can be attributed to this diversity. People of different nationalities are beginning to meet and start families, enriching their lives with new traditions and cultural aspects. One such couple is DJ, Ainura Tukubayeva, and Mehrdad Razavi, a fashion model, whose story together began in 2018. TCA spoke to Ainura to find out about their experience of living in Kazakhstan, and how the diversity of cultures has influenced their relationship. TCA: Tell us about yourselves, where did you meet? Ainura: My husband and I are an international couple. I’m from Kazakhstan and he’s from Iran. We first met in 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at a party organized by a mutual friend. That night marked the beginning of our incredible journey together. TCA: How did your husband adapt to life in Kazakhstan? My husband's adaptation to life in Kazakhstan was remarkably smooth, largely because we were surrounded by family who showered us with love and support. This made a world of difference, helping him feel at home right from the start. The biggest challenge for him was definitely the weather. Coming from the tropics, the harsh Kazakh winter, with temperatures dropping to -30°C, was a real shock. I still remember the look on his face when he first stepped outside into the freezing cold; it was priceless! However, with time and plenty of warm clothing, he adjusted, and now he even jokes about how he's become a true Kazakh by enduring such extreme conditions. TCA: What has impressed him most about Kazakh culture? What really captivated him about Kazakh culture was the strong sense of community and the deep bonds within families. He was touched by how families are incredibly close-knit and how this sense of unity extends to the larger community, as well. There's a genuine spirit of togetherness here that he finds both comforting and inspiring. He also noticed how much people here love to celebrate life. Whether it’s a small gathering or a big event, Kazakhs know how to have a good time, and this joy for life is something he truly admires. It’s a nation of happy, resilient people, and that’s left a lasting impression on him. TCA: How did locals in Kazakhstan perceive you as an international couple? Our experience as an international couple in Kazakhstan has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly supportive people who have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and at home. Despite some stereotypes about international marriages, we’ve never faced anything that made us feel different or unwelcome. In fact, our friends and family have embraced us wholeheartedly, and this has...

Bilateral Relations Interview International Cooperation Politics US Investments

U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan: We Never Make Kazakhstan Choose Between “Us Or Them”

In an interview with the KazTAG agency, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum discussed relations between the U.S. and Kazakhstan. In the two years since his appointment, Rosenblum noted significant progress in developing diplomatic and economic ties between the countries. In particular, he emphasized the importance of Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to New York for the C5+1 platform summit, as well as the visits of the U.S. Secretary of State to Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstani Foreign Minister to the United States. Rosenblum also highlighted key support programs initiated by the U.S. in Kazakhstan, including USAID projects to resolve commercial disputes and decentralize public administration. These initiatives help strengthen the business environment and increase foreign investors' confidence in Kazakhstan, which, he said, helps attract more investment. Economic relations between the U.S. and Kazakhstan have shown steady growth, with trade exceeding $4 billion in 2023, a 30% increase over the previous year. The U.S. remains one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan, second only to the Netherlands. In recent years, U.S. companies have shown interest in new sectors, including transportation and critical minerals. For example, Wabtec has invested in locomotive production in Kazakhstan, and Pepsi Co. has invested $160 million to build a plant to produce potato chips and other snacks in Almaty region. The ambassador also discussed democratization and human rights, noting positive developments in Kazakhstan, such as the establishment of the Constitutional Court, and the expanded role of the ombudsman institution. He emphasized that Kazakhstan has worked to improve freedom of speech, assembly, and fair elections. On security issues, the ambassador reiterated the U.S.' commitment to protecting Kazakhstan's independence and sovereignty. He emphasized the importance of joint exercises and programs to strengthen defense and law and order in Kazakhstan. Regarding sanctions against Russia, Rosenblum said that the U.S. respects President Tokayev's position of adhering to international sanctions but does not apply its sanctions against Russia. The U.S. is engaging with the Kazakh government to minimize the impact of these sanctions on the country's economy and to find alternative markets for Kazakh goods. "We know that Kazakhstan needs to maintain good relations with its neighbors. It is natural to have positive trade relations and other types of relations to ensure peace and stability. We recognize and respect that it is not only the right but probably the duty of Kazakhstan to maintain such relations. We never put Kazakhstan before "either us or them" situations; we do not have such an approach to relations. Kazakhstan pursues a multi-vector policy, and we count on being one of the right vectors," the ambassador said. U.S. policy toward Kazakhstan is unlikely to change significantly, even if a Republican president wins the next U.S. election, Rosenblum said. The basic principles of supporting sovereignty and stability in Central Asia will remain unchanged, regardless of the political administration in Washington.