Astana and Almaty among top CIS cities to visit in autumn

31.03.2026, 22:10 7131

Additional Almaty-Tashkent direct flight to be launched

Uzbekstan's Qanot Sharq Airlines has launched direct regular flights from Tashkent to Almaty, Qazinform News Agency reports.

The inaugural flight was welcomed at the Almaty International Airport with a traditional "water salute" and the first passengers were treated to sweets right at the gate.

Flights are operated three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, via Airbus A321neo aircraft, with a flight time of 1.5 hours.

Launch of the direct flight will further promote business relations, tourism, and cultural ties, strengthening Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation," the airport’s press service stated.

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30.03.2026, 13:31 27391

Water level up in Sharlyk River of N Kazakhstan region

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In the North Kazakhstan region, water levels in some rivers are rising by several meters per day, although there is currently no threat of flooding, Qazinform News Agency reports.

According to the regional branch of Kazhydromet, over the past 24 hours the water level in the Sharlyk River rose by 153 cm near the village of Ruzaevka and by 93 cm near Andreyevka, while the Akkanburlyk River increased by 128 cm near Vozvyshenka. Water levels are also gradually rising in the Babykburlyk, Imanburlyk, and Mukyr rivers.

Over the past day, the Esil River rose by 76 cm near the village of Shoptikol, by 57 cm near Druzhba, and by 33 cm in Toksan bi.

At the Sergeyevskoye reservoir, the water level increased by 8 cm over the past 24 hours. The reservoir is currently 97.5% full.

According to weather forecasts, warm conditions will persist in the coming days. Tomorrow, temperatures in the southern parts of the region are expected to reach up to +20°C.

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29.03.2026, 08:10 45756

From icy north to arid south: Sunday weather alerts issued across Kazakhstan

Much of Kazakhstan will experience dry weather on March 29. However, rain and thunderstorms are predicted in the west and south of the country, Qazinform News Agency has learned from Kazhydromet Weather Service.

Patchy fog is expected nationwide.

The northern regions will see black ice. Winds will strengthen in the west, south, and center, with dust storms in the southwest and south.

Besides, there is a high fire risk in the eastern part of the Kyzylorda region, the western part of the Turkistan region, and the southern part of the Zhetisu region.

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28.03.2026, 08:10 79616

Vast anticyclone brings dry skies to much of Kazakhstan

Under the influence of a dominant anticyclone, no precipitation is expected in most of Kazakhstan on Saturday, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Kazhydromet National Weather Service.

However, atmospheric fronts will cause rain (at times heavy) and thunderstorms in the west of the country.

Fog is expected throughout the country. There will be black ice in the northern part of Kazakhstan. Strong winds are expected in the western, southern, eastern, and central regions. Furthermore, the west and south will see dust storms.

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27.03.2026, 19:50 110371

Kazakhstani students in Izmir celebrated Nauryz

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The international spring festival "Bahar" dedicated to the Turkic New Year Nauryz was held in Izmir Central park, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The event was organized by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Kazakhstan. Students and residents of Izmir from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan took part in the festival. The festival became an important platform for promoting cultural and humanitarian cooperation and strengthening ties among representatives of Turkic peoples.

The Kazakh pavilion attracted visitors with the sound of the dombra and traditional national delicacies prepared by activists of the student association "Izmir Qazaq Jastary".

The holding of the "Bahar" festival contributed to the further strengthening of cultural ties, the development of public diplomacy, and the promotion of the national traditions of the Republic of Kazakhstan abroad.

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27.03.2026, 16:45 108266

During the Nauryz Celebrations, Europeans are Discovering Kazakhstan More Closely

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The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Croatia, in cooperation with Honorary Consulates, organized the educational photo exhibitions titled "What Do You Know About the Country of the Great Steppe?" in the country’s major tourist cities - Split, Dubrovnik and Opatija, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

As part of the events dedicated to the celebration of Nauryz, thematic display posters featuring information about Kazakhstan were placed in the main streets and public spaces of the cities.

Residents and visitors of Croatia have the opportunity to explore visual materials presenting interesting and lesser-known facts about Kazakhstan that spark curiosity and interest, such as: Almaty is the birthplace of apples; Kazakhstan is the homeland of tulips; Baikonur is the world’s first cosmodrome, etc.

The photo exhibition in Split is being held from 19 to 28 March 2026, in Dubrovnik from 22 March to 10 April 2026, and in Opatija from 22 March to 5 April 2026.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties between our countries, as well as developing bilateral cooperation.

Particular attention is being paid to promoting Kazakhstan as an attractive destination for international tourism, highlighting its tourism potential, and fostering sustained interest among foreign audiences.

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27.03.2026, 12:49 108731

Nauryz Celebration was Held in Vienna

A solemn celebration of Nauryz, the holiday of spring, renewal, and harmony, was held in Vienna with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Austria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The festive event brought together compatriots, members of the Kazakh diaspora, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and officials from international organizations interested in the rich cultural heritage of Nauryz celebrations.

The Association of Kazakhstani Students in Austria played an active role in organizing the event. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by traditional folk music, national dishes, and games such as tug-of-war, and weightlifting, as well as colorful national costumes that conveyed the spirit of the Kazakh people.

The Nauryz celebration was also attended by 76-year-old aksakal Sarsenbai Kotyrashov from Ulytau, who arrived from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, via Hungary. He is currently on the fourth leg of his walking trip around the world. His next route will take him through Germany to France. The Kazakh pensioner plans to cover 2,800 kilometers in 58 days.

A year earlier, Sarsenbai Ata walked through Russia and Mongolia to Beijing, the capital of China. He intends to continue his round-the-world hiking journey next year in the United States, from New York to San Francisco.

As Sarsenbai Ata noted, the main goals of his journey are to popularize Kazakhstan, its traditions and culture, to motivate people to lead a healthy lifestyle, and to demonstrate that age is not an obstacle to realizing even the most ambitious dreams.

Nauryz, celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Kazakh people and symbolizes the beginning of the new year according to the solar calendar. The holiday unites people around the values of peace, kindness, and mutual respect.

Nauryz was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 and was officially recognized as an International Holiday by the UN General Assembly in 2010. The celebration once again highlighted the importance of respect, solidarity, and peaceful coexistence as the foundations of international cooperation and unity among peoples.

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27.03.2026, 12:14 109106

Four Days of Cultural Diplomacy in London

The celebration of Nauryz - the spring festival symbolizing renewal, unity, and prosperity - kicked off in London at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Kazakhstan presented a large-scale cultural and informational programme that generated strong interest among the international business community and the Bank’s staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The Kazakh stand showcased national souvenirs, publications on the renewed format of Nauryznama celebrations, and materials highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage, as well as its tourism and investment potential. A cultural programme featuring elements of traditional art became a vibrant highlight of the event.

Opening remarks were delivered by EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, who congratulated guests on the occasion and emphasized the significant investment potential of Central Asian countries. It was noted that cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Bank continues to demonstrate steady growth: total investments have approached €1 billion, with figures in 2024 tripling compared to 2023.

The festivities continued on 21 March with a roundtable at the University of Cambridge, bringing together Ambassadors, diplomats from Central Asia and the Caucasus, and members of the academic community. In her remarks, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the United Kingdom, D. Kurmasheva, highlighted the historical depth of Kazakh-British relations, noting that British investors were instrumental in the early development of Kazakhstan’s mining industry, particularly through projects such as Spassky Copper Mine Limited.

This partnership continues to thrive today, spanning strategic sectors including critical minerals, green technologies, and digitalisation. Particular attention was given to the country’s investment potential and ongoing political reforms, including the recent referendum and a new Constitution.

Nauryz reminds us that our true strength lies in unity - in acting together as one region with shared goals and direction," the Minister-Counsellor noted in her address. The roundtable concluded with an engaging Q&A session that evolved into a meaningful and inspiring dialogue.

The festive atmosphere continued at the University of Cambridge with a concert, where the sound of the dombra transported guests to the Kazakh steppe. A particularly memorable performance was the song Ainalayin, performed by a representative of the Kazakh diaspora. Guests also enjoyed traditional Central Asian cuisine and an exhibition of Kazakh souvenirs, showing keen interest in the country’s culture and modern development.

Another key venue for the celebrations was University College London (UCL), where students from Central Asian countries organised an open event for the international student community. National dishes, music, dance, and a warm atmosphere of hospitality attracted a wide audience and contributed to the promotion of Kazakh culture.

The celebrations concluded on 22 March with a gathering of the Kazakh diaspora in the United Kingdom, organised with the support of the Kazakh Cultural Centre. Around 200 guests, including members of the diaspora and Embassy staff, took part in traditional games such as asyk atu and arkan tartu, enjoyed Nauryz kozhe, and experienced national dances, immersing themselves in the spirit of their cultural heritage.

The celebration of Nauryz in the United Kingdom became a vivid example of Kazakhstan’s successful cultural diplomacy. These events not only strengthened ties within the diaspora but also significantly increased interest among London’s political, business, and academic circles in modern Kazakhstan - a country with a rich heritage and a dynamic future.

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Astana and Almaty among top CIS cities to visit in autumn

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