From Football to Photography, Weekend Highlights in Astana and Almaty

This weekend, Kazakhstan's two major cities, Astana and Almaty, are set to host a diverse array of events, catering to a wide range of interests from cultural heritage to contemporary arts and sports.

Astana will be the center of the BaiQymyz national festival on July 11-12, a celebration of Kazakhstan's traditional kumys (fermented mare's milk). The festival boasts traditional cuisine, horse exhibitions, family activities, and live music, including a performance by Sadraddin and an attempt at a Kazakhstan Record, with a prize fund of 45 million tenge (US$84,447).

Art enthusiasts can visit the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana for Nurbek Zhardemov's jubilee solo exhibition, "Aqjaiyq Ölkem," running from July 11 to August 30. This exhibition showcases paintings inspired by Kazakh heritage and personal reflections. Sports fans have a high-stakes Kazakhstan Premier League football match to look forward to on July 12, as FC Astana faces FC Aktobe at the Astana Arena.

In Almaty, the Republic Palace will host "The Music of Hans Zimmer" concert on July 12, where a symphony orchestra and choir will perform the film composer's iconic scores. Additionally, the city offers a "Not Just Ballet" performance on July 12 at the Korean Theatre of Musical Comedy, celebrating dance through graceful choreography. The Almaty Gallery presents "Nature touched," a thought-provoking photography exhibition exploring femininity and the connection between the human body and nature, running from July 11 to July 30.

These events offer residents and visitors a vibrant mix of cultural experiences, from traditional celebrations and artistic expressions to modern entertainment, highlighting the dynamic cultural landscape of Kazakhstan.