President Tokayev grants academic status to two theaters
Images | Akorda
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed today the ceremony of presenting awards to culture and art figures at the Akorda presidential palace ahead of the Cultural and Art Workers’ Day, Kazinform News Agency cites the press service of Akorda.
During the ceremony, the Kazakh President expressed gratitude to culture and art figures, highlighting their "contribution to the spiritual world, preserving the national identity".
It’s culture than shapes the nation, said Tokayev, highlight the role of art in making Kazakhstan recognized worldwide. "Our country is the direct successor of the unique culture of the Great Steppe".
The Head of State also said: "The finest works created on the Kazakh soil played a key role in forming the national identity".
Nowadays, our distinctive culture gains worldwide recognition. Our talented musicians perform on the world’s prestigious stages. Kazakhstani filmmakers receive high praise form experts at different international festivals, said Tokayev.
Astana successfully hosted the World Nomad Games; the city of Aktau was declared the cultural capital of the Turkic world.
The Kazakh President also mentioned the country’s efforts to digitize its cultural heritage, as 1,500 kuis, songs and the best pieces of the folk heritage of the nation are now available at the most popular platforms of the world. Tokayev also stressed the role of the creative industry in promoting the national art.
The Head of State said: "The state continues to pay special attention to art, which shapes the country’s spirituality".
The country built 45 new cultural facilities last year alone and will continue its efforts, he said.
During the event, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced to grant the academic status to the Kazakh Drama Theatre named after Biken Rimova, Almaty State Puppet Theatre and the Philharmonic named after Garifulla Kurmangaliyev.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
President signs law on amnesty ahead of 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Constitution
Images | depositphotos.com
This year we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the country’s Constitution. In view of this jubilee date, the law-enforcement structures, deputies and human rights advocates put forward their initiatives to announce amnesty for convicted persons. The law underwent discussions in the Parliament and I signed it, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said it at the extended meeting of the law-enforcement agencies in Astana today, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to the President, the upcoming amnesty will cover more than 15,000 convicts. Some 2,000 will return to their homes, and others’ sentences will be commuted. The point at issue is those who committed offences of low-to-medium severity, coming from vulnerable groups: women with children, old persons, minors and other citizens.
In his words, there is a long-felt need in serious reform of the country’s penal system. The reform should aim at reeducation of convicts, but not on their isolation from the society.
We should introduce progressive approaches to encourage them to adhere to the values of Law and Order and their reintegration into society," he stressed.
The President called on domestic businessmen to consider a possibility of opening productions at the correctional facilities to enable the convicts to work and earn money.
In general, business should thoroughly study the existing opportunities of multifaceted cooperation with the penal system," he said.
We should address the causes, but not consequences. We need to shift away from punitive character of the penal system. It is wrong to try to suppress people who have made a mistake and ended up in prison. We must help such a person to get on the path of correction. We are building a civilized, advanced and fair society. The fairness of both the law and the court is our unshakable principle," he emphasized.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Over 290 Kazakhstani citizens evacuated from Iran, Israel - Foreign Ministry
Images | depositphotos
230 nationals of Kazakhstan have been evacuated from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and 66 - from the State of Israel, Kazinform News Agency quotes Aibek Smadyarov, Official Spokesperson of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, as saying at a briefing today.
Some 50 of our citizens, mainly, employees of diplomatic missions, are still staying in Iran," Smadyarov said.
According to him, 66 citizens of Kazakhstan have been evacuated from Israel, and around 170 are still there.
He emphasized that the Foreign Ministry continues monitoring the situation in the regions and maintains contacts with Kazakhstani nationals abroad.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Serving the state is an honorable and responsible mission - President
Images | Akorda
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has addressed an extended meeting of the board of Kazakhstan’s law-enforcement agencies, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Akorda press service.
The President congratulated police officers and civil servants of Kazakhstan on their professional holidays and said that serving the state is an honorable and responsible mission.
You make an important contribution to ensuring Law and Order, safeguarding rights and interests of the citizens. Today, in the context of growing global uncertainty, strengthening public security and strict observance of the law gains special importance. Therefore, we are holding, for the first time, a joint meeting of the board of the law-enforcement agencies. We need to consolidate efforts of all relevant structures," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
In his words, strict observance of the Law and Order principle also depends on active involvement of the population.
Heads of central and local executive authorities, deputies, experts and public activists are participating in the event.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan continues evacuations from Israel, Iran
Images | gov.kz
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that 66 Kazakhstani nationals have been evacuated from Israel via the Egyptian border and 78 nationals from Iran via Armenian, Azerbaijani and Turkmen borders, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Kazakhstani diplomats in Iran and Israel continue to provide all necessary consular and legal assistance to their nationals.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to all sides for helping evacuate Kazakhstanis, saying: "Thanks to joint efforts, more nationals have the opportunity to return home safely".
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan, Russia determine NPP construction project phases
Images | Depositphotos
Kazakhstan and Russia have signed documents determining the main phases of preparation and implementation of the nuclear plant construction project, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The documents were signed on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, at a meeting between Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of Kazakhstan's Nuclear Energy Agency, and Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia's Rosatom Corporation.
The meeting focused on the issues of implementation of the nuclear power plant construction project in Kazakhstan.
During the meeting, the parties approved an indicative road map determining the phases of the project preparation and implementation, including organization of engineering and surveying works, conclusion of an EPC contract and elaboration of design documents.
In addition, JSC Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants and JSC Atomstroyexport (Rosatom’s engineering company) entered into a framework agreement on the key principles of cooperation in implementation of the project in Zhambyl district of Almaty region.
The strategic project is aimed at ensuring energy security and decarbonization of Kazakhstan’s economy.
The sides highlighted the importance of the soonest start of the project’s implementation.
We reckon on close and transparent cooperation to ensure high level of security and production localization," Satkaliyev said.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
President Tokayev inspects improvement works at Mynzhyldyk Alley in Astana
Images | Akorda
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday was presented with the landscape masterplan of Mynzhyldyk Alley in the Kazakh capital Astana, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
The project covers 942 ha in the city’s southern part and Sarayshyk district. The linear park connects residential areas, social facilities, schools, railway station, squares, a network of pedestrian pathways and routes for cycling.
Zhenis Kassymbek, mayor of Astana, said that one of the visiting cards of the district will be a train station park, hosting play spaces, shady alleys and amphitheaters.
Last year, Kazakh Eli Square was improved, as mature trees were planted, designer manhole covers and small architectural forms were installed and the lights were replaced.
The first stage of improvement works along Baitursynov, Nurmagambetov, Nazhimedenov Streets and Tauelsizdik Avenue, including adjacent neighborhoods, is to begin this year.
According to Kassymbek, GreenLine Boulevard is another key element of urban development, which will include routes for cycling, children's and sports grounds as well as rest areas.
The projects are being implemented under a polycentric urban model, making housing, work, services and recreation available within a short distance.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan reports 2.5fold increase in throughput capacity of checkpoints on its external border
Images | KazAvtoZhol
Kazakhstan has increased throughout capacities of the automobile checkpoints on its external borders by 25%, Kazinform News Agency quotes Deputy Chairman of the State Revenues Committee Bakytzhan Slyamov as saying at a press conference today.
According to him, 605,700 cars have crossed the border checkpoints since the year beginning.
Compared to the same period of 2024, throughput capacity increased by 25%. The amount of customs payments in this period reached 1.6 trillion tenge," he said, adding that there are 52 automobile checkpoints along the state border, with 14 located on the external border of the EAEU.
In his words, six border checkpoints underwent modernization.
In 2018, the modernization of Central Asia's largest checkpoint Nur Zholy was completed.
The State Revenues Committee also modernizes and equips nine automobile, one railroad checkpoints on the external border of the EAEU and main dispatch office of the State Revenues Committee in Astana.
The Dostyk-Zheleznodorozhnyi border checkpoint was renovated in 2023.
Four border checkpoints - Kaplanbek, Atameken, Kolzhat, and Alakol - have been launched to date. The remaining five checkpoints - Kazygurt, Tazhen, Temir Baba, Maikapshagai and Bakhty - will be launched by the year end.
As a result, the capacity of the modernized checkpoints has not been reduced, but on the contrary, increased from 640 thousand vehicles in 2022 to 1.4 million in 2024.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.