Images | gov.kz
In the heart of the European capital, a traditional Kazakh yurt was turned into a venue for travel, discovery, and authentic stories about modern Kazakhstan. It hosted the second edition of the Shanyraq Dialogues series entitled: "The Silk Road Without Stereotypes: Real Travel Stories from Kazakhstan", Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
reports.
Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Belgium, the event brought together representatives of EU institutions, European media, the tourism industry, bloggers, cultural figures, and friends of Kazakhstan.
Opening the discussion, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko noted that Kazakhstan today is becoming not only an important bridge between Europe and Asia, but also a new destination for travelers seeking authentic experiences, vast landscapes, and genuine human connections.
Today, Europe is increasingly discovering Kazakhstan not only as a modern state and a bridge between East and West, but also as the successor to the great civilization of the Golden Horde, which played a significant role in the history of Eurasia. Just yesterday, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev particularly emphasized this historical continuity in his address at an international symposium in Astana."
The discussion was moderated by Antonio Buscardini, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travel Tomorrow and President of The Press Club Brussels Europe. He noted that some social media users, especially young Europeans, even jokingly refer to this growing interest as "Kazakh-boo".
The evening’s main speakers were travelers, journalists, and media project creators who had explored Kazakhstan firsthand.
Sven Hoyaux, Editor-in-Chief of Porschist magazine, spoke about his travels across different regions of the country and the preparation of a special issue dedicated to Kazakhstan. His presentation was accompanied by video footage of steppe landscapes, mountain routes, and modern cities.
Particular attention was drawn to the story of Belgian traveler Claude Brouir, who crossed Kazakhstan by bicycle. He admitted being impressed by the country’s scale, the openness of its people, and how easy it is to connect with people there.
The audience also showed strong interest in behind-the-scenes stories from the filming of the popular TV show Pékin Express in Kazakhstan, shared by producer Inga Chumakova. The show remains one of the best-known travel formats on French-speaking television. According to the project participants, the combination of modern cities, natural landscapes, and the warmth of the people became the main discovery for the European film crew.
During the discussion, participants also highlighted the recent international symposium in Astana dedicated to the legacy of the Golden Horde, noting the growing interest in the history of the Great Steppe as an important part of Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical identity.
Participants emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening interest in Kazakhstan across Europe and help present the country more broadly as a modern tourist, cultural, and intellectual destination.
