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...

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.