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My First International Competition – Anara Ashimova, Silver Medalist in Shaolin Wushu

I was never a big sports person, but working at the computer and not moving much eventually made me realize I needed some kind of physical activity to cheer myself up and to recharge my body. After all, I wanted to be healthy and active in my maturity - I don’t want to call it old age. I had doubts about my physical abilities, but I was resolute, so I decided to go for a sport with exercises that are possible for and improve the health of people of age. Therefore, I took up the sport of Wushu, starting in a large group under the guidance of Gaini Kypshakbai, a master of the art. The first few months were challenging, but I slowly developed new skills. A lot of people quit during this time, and eventually only three of us were left in the group. Gradually, I developed an obsession with the classes as a way to strengthen my body and spirit. Our coach, Gaini, deserves a separate piece to be written about her for her patience and mentoring, but for now, I will just say that I'm grateful and full of respect for her. Laoshi (coach in Chinese) Gaini gently introduced us to the Tai Chi community, an association of enthusiasts who are passionate about what they do. In my third year of classes, I wanted to broaden my horizons, watch the masters, and show off my modest skills. So, after participating in the Championship for the Republic of Kazakhstan, we went to China for The 13th Zhengzhou China International Shaolin Wushu Competition. [caption id="attachment_25561" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Team Kazakhstan; image: A.Ashimova[/caption] Our team consisted of twelve people of different ages ranging from 30 to 65; it was the first international competition for all of us. Some of us were leaving Kazakhstan for the first time, but I'd been to Urumqi 20 years before. Everything that awaited us upon our arrival in China impressed and delighted us. The first thing that pleased me was how clean and organized everything was. People were friendly and willing to help, and, most importantly, it was completely safe. The cities we visited were very green with beautiful trees and lots of flowers; the parks were well-maintained, and the air was clean and fresh. Almost every city had the same level of population as Kazakhstan, but it never felt crowded. Everything was organized, clear, and accessible. For us, the myth that the Chinese do not speak English was also dispelled. If we encountered a language barrier, it was easily overcome by modern online translators. The youth of China were very bright, independent, and open. The Opening Ceremony of the festival was an indescribable delight. The small town of Danfeng welcomed us alongside representatives of 65 schools of Tai Chi. The competition was a festival celebrating the different styles of Wushu. We couldn’t contain our excitement as we took pictures on our smartphones and greeted the young athletes from the windows of the bus as thirty-five...

Children Rights life and culture Parliament Education Legislation

Kazakhstan Working On a Bill to Ban Quadrobers

Mazhilis deputy Daulet Mukayev has said Kazakhstan is working on a bill to ban quadrobers. The spread of this hobby, where young people imitate animals, could have a detrimental effect on the younger generation, he stated. “In 2024, quadrobics has undergone a major change. While it used to be more like a sporting challenge, now quadrobers wear animal masks, tails, and paws. If we don't take action, we risk losing a whole generation,” Mukayev said in response to journalists' inquiries to the Telegram channel, Buzyq. Mukayev emphasized that the problem is also a concern in other countries, and parents, society, and the state should work together to solve it. The deputy added that the development of legislative measures and strengthening control over social networks has already begun. However, the deputy did not give precise information about the agencies that initiated this bill. A request for a comment was sent to the Mazhilis press service, which replied that they had not yet received such a piece of legislation. Earlier, Mukayev had characterized quadrobers as a potentially dangerous social phenomenon and called for a study into the phenomenon, stating that the Mazhilis would develop laws against quadrobing if necessary. However, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture considers quadrobics a temporary fad and stated that its main task remains to ensure the safety of teenagers who participate in this trend. Quadrobics is an unofficial sport in which participants move on all fours and imitate the habits of animals in costumes. The movement has already been seen in Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. Recent cases of this behavior have also been reported in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where a teenager wearing an animal mask scared passersby on October 10. The next day, another quadrober imitating a dog attacked passengers on public transport, scaring children. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the Kyrgyz authorities are trying to curb the growing interest of teenagers in quadrobics. Uzbekistan is also taking steps to control the issue, where parents are being warned of fines for inappropriate behavior by teenagers. In Russia, the issue of administrative responsibility for parents who do not take responsibility for the upbringing of their children who become overtly interested in quadrobics has also been raised. The problem has not yet been resolved, but a request to the State Duma has requested fines and criminal liability for such actions. In addition, Gennady Shkil, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, suggested in a sermon that fathers and mothers of quadrobers should be deprived of parental rights. Shkil stated that “tough measures” are needed “for the salvation of mankind.”

western influence Halloween life and culture

Halloween in Kazakhstan: A Creative Celebration of Global Culture

Halloween is an ancient pagan festival firmly rooted in the West, but despite being alien to the country's indigenous culture, it is becoming ever more popular in Kazakhstan, especially among young people. Although embraced by young Kazakhs, Halloween is not celebrated in the classical sense. On the streets you are unlikely to meet crowds of children dressed as witches, ghouls and vampires, collecting candy from houses. Instead, it has become a symbol of fun, freedom of self-expression, and an opportunity to create and experience something new and unusual. In Almaty, Astana, and in other major cities in the country, many clubs, cafes and bars host Halloween-themed parties attended by people in fancy dress. Every year the costumes become more and more creative, for, after all, Halloween is not just an opportunity to dress up, but also a great chance for participants to demonstrate their design and artistic skills. Many of the staged events include contests for the most creative and frightening costumes, as well as themed music, dancing and cocktails, and as student Serzhan from Almaty told TCA, provide “an opportunity to have fun with friends and to reincarnate our favorite characters from movies and TV series.” [caption id="attachment_25000" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Photo: TCA, Tamila Olzhbaekova[/caption] In addition to parties, Halloween movie nights are likewise, growing in popularity. Students and groups of friends gather to watch classic horror movies or novelties of the genre, often at home, but sometimes in student dormitories or cafes. For many, like Camilla, a university student in Astana, it has become an annual tradition: “We get together with friends every year on Halloween, watch horror movies until the early hours and argue whose costume is the creepiest.” Some movie theaters have now begun to support the trend by offering special repertoires for Halloween week, including screenings of films such as “Scream” and “Spellbound”. As is to be expected, social media also plays a key role in popularizing Halloween in Kazakhstan. On platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, local youth use Halloween as an occasion to post creative content: makeup, makeup videos, photo and video shoots with themed costumes. In this context, Halloween has become a kind of cultural phenomenon for self-expression. Companies also use social media to create a festive mood and offer seasonal discounts. Despite its growing popularity, the overall response to Halloween in Kazakhstan remains divided. For some people, it is associated with Western influences that contradict local cultural and religious traditions. For many young people, however, it is simply a fun holiday that has no deep meaning, but rather an excuse to immerse oneself in an atmosphere of mysticism and creativity. “For me, Halloween is not a religious holiday, just an opportunity to have fun with friends,” shared Altair, a student from Almaty. She, like many others, sees nothing contradictory to her culture in the celebration of Halloween, and simply enjoys participating in themed events.

life and culture Art and Culture

Tajikistan Has Baked the World’s Tallest National-Themed Cake

In Dushanbe, 15 pastry chefs and representatives of the World Federation of Restaurant Sports (WFRS) from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan set a world record by making a cake weighing 200 kg and 2.10 meters high. This culinary masterpiece became the world's tallest nationally-themed cake, which was confirmed by the Eurasian Rating Agency (ERA). The cake was transported by truck to Abulkasim Ferdowsi Park and placed on a decorated table. A copy of the 45-centimeter-high Ismoil Somoni monument was placed on the cake, and the confectionery had a square base with a side of 1.1 m. The cake was decorated with gingerbread figures of Tajikistan's landmarks, national ornaments, and more than 300 marshmallow elements stylized as watermelons, melons, grapes, and other fruits. Pastry chef Natalie Vee said the cake is designed for 100-200 people. The team created it in four days, using 160 eggs, 25 kg of sugar, about 45 kg of sugar paste, several kilograms of flour, and about 30 liters of juice. “We have set records in Russia, Africa, and Europe. This is the first record for Tajikistan, and I hope it will remain for a long time,” said Alexander Rabinovich, chairman of the ERA's Service and Hospitality Committee and WFRS secretary general. He explained that the cake preparation coincided with World Chef's Day and the national holiday Mehrgon. On that day, Ferdowsi Park also became the center of Mehrgon celebrations, where a harvest and culinary fair was organized, offering vegetables, fruits, honey, and drinks from different regions of Tajikistan. Two cake records stand out for their impressive scale and global attention. The tallest cake, created in Indonesia for a Christmas event in Jakarta in 2008, reached an astounding 33 meters. Equally remarkable is the record for the longest cake, stretching 5,300 meters, made in India in 2020. Both cakes captivated international audiences with their sheer size and uniqueness.

Restoration Projects restorations life and culture Qatar Bilateral Cooperation Cultural Heritage

Qatar To Help Restore Uzbekistan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bibi-Khanym Mosque

During a recent meeting between the Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva and Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, bilateral cooperation agreements were signed between the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan, the Aga Khan Trust, and the Qatar Development Foundation. These agreements envisage not only financial support, but also the exchange of experience in the field of restoration of cultural monuments. In particular, the talks focused on restoring the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built in the 15th century by Timur and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to local media reports, Qatar will actively revitalize this important monument, which attracts tourists from all over the world. Although details of the funding have not yet been disclosed, the work is expected to restore the mosque to its historic appearance, preserving its uniqueness for future generations. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand was built on the orders of Timur (Tamerlane) after his victorious campaign to India in 1399. The construction used 95 elephants to transport materials. Its high tympanum coated in cobalt blue tile-work, the Mosque stands in a grassy courtyard around a large marble carving of the Quran. Named after Timur's Chinese wife, local folklore tells how the architect fell in love with her and stole a kiss. Escaping the wrath of Timur by jumping from the minaret, he sprouted wings and flew to Mecca. At its peak, the mosque could hold up to 10,000 worshipers and became a symbol of Timur's greatness; however, due to its enormous size, the structure began to deteriorate before it was completed. Since then, the building has undergone numerous restorations, especially during the Soviet era.

Documentary TURKSOY Art and Culture Film Festival life and culture Culture

Turkmenistan to take part in Turkic World Documentary Film Festival

Turkmenistan has been announced as a participant in the 9th Turkic World Documentary Film Festival, which will be held in Ankara in October this year. The festival received 300 applications from nine countries, including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Hungary, and Northern Macedonia. The festival is organized by the Federation of Journalists of the Turkic World with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, the International Turkic Culture Organization (TURKSOY), and other partners. Out of 300 submitted works, 147 films passed preliminary consideration by the jury. The festival’s grand opening is scheduled for October 11 at TURKSOY's headquarters. The competition will include works in the “feature-length documentary,” “short documentary,” and “student documentary” categories. A jury consisting of documentary filmmakers and scholars of the Turkic world will choose the winners. The festival will end on November 15 with a closing ceremony and announcement of the final results.