Kazakhstan's summer festivals position it as Central Asia's creative hub

Key facts

• Kazakhstan is developing its natural sites into festival destinations to boost tourism.
• Festivals are supporting local businesses and building a creative economy.
• Nauryz, a UNESCO-recognized festival, marks the spring equinox and symbolizes renewal.
• The Zhetysu region hosted a paragliding festival attracting 150 pilots from 33 countries.
• Altai Fest in the Katon-Karagay district drew 50,000 visitors.
• The Ak Maya Festival in Mangystau celebrates nomadic heritage and camel's milk production.

Kazakhstan is actively transforming its diverse natural landscapes into major cultural and event destinations, aiming to establish itself as Central Asia's creative hub. This strategy involves moving beyond traditional city-centric cultural life to utilize valleys, canyons, lakes, and national parks as venues for large-scale festivals.

These events serve as a powerful driver for event tourism, attracting international visitors, stimulating local economies, and fostering a new creative economy. The country hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from natural phenomena like the blooming of the Sievers apple to gastronomic experiences, contemporary music, international sporting competitions, and ancient nomadic traditions.

Nauryz, celebrated in March, is highlighted as the oldest and most significant festival, marking the spring equinox and symbolizing renewal. Recognized by UNESCO, it involves family gatherings, traditional cuisine, folk music, and sporting events, now extended to a ten-day celebration.

The Zhetysu region, known for its picturesque mountains and lakes, recently hosted a spectacular paragliding festival that coincided with the Paragliding World Cup, drawing approximately 150 pilots from 33 countries. Organizers noted the pristine nature and unique landscapes as major draws for international pilots.

Further east, Altai Fest in the Katon-Karagay district celebrated the shared cultural roots of Turkic peoples, attracting 50,000 visitors and concluding with a performance by Dimash Qudaibergen.

In the Mangystau region, the Ak Maya Festival in August transforms desert canyons into a cultural venue celebrating the tradition of producing fermented camel's milk, known as shubat. This festival combines ethnic music, contemporary art, local cuisine, and workshops, promoting sustainable tourism and the region's nomadic heritage.