More Than 70,000 People Attend BaiQymyz-2026 Festival in Astana
Images | Akimat of Astana
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The international gastronomic festival BaiQymyz-2026 concluded in Astana after attracting more than 70,000 visitors over two days. Guests were offered 56 tonnes of kumys (fermented mare's milk) - a record volume that organisers plan to submit to the Kazakhstan Book of Records, a correspondent reports.
The festival featured an international kumys competition involving around 60 producers from Kazakhstan and Russia's Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The Grand Prix was awarded to Qymyznai Qymyzy from the Burabay district of the Akmola Region. First place went to Ağabek Ata Erekshe Qymyzy from the Akkol district of the same region.
Akimat of Astana
Winners were also named in several special categories. Bayannyn Bal Qymyzy from the Ulytau Region took first place in the "Em Qymyz" ("Medicinal Kumys") category, while Terektinin Tekti Qymyzy from the Karaganda Region won the "People's Choice" award.
In addition to tasting traditional drinks and cuisine, visitors explored ethnographic villages, craft fairs, workshops, concerts, and competitions in traditional Kazakh sports. The festival's highlights included baige horse races, kokpar, kyz kuu, audaryspak, a horse parade, and equestrian demonstrations. Well-known Kazakh performers and artistic groups also appeared on the main stage.
Akimat of Astana
According to the Astana city administration, the festival attracted visitors not only from across Kazakhstan but also from abroad. For many international tourists, BaiQymyz-2026 provided an opportunity to experience Kazakh culture, traditions, and national cuisine firsthand. Traditional dishes, folk games, and equestrian competitions proved especially popular with foreign guests.
Akimat of Astana
"We are visitors from the United States. We came to the kumys festival to learn more about Kazakh culture. We enjoy living here and helping people - it has been a wonderful experience. We continue to learn more about Kazakhstan, have met many wonderful people, and, most importantly, we absolutely love kumys and want to try as many varieties as possible," American visitors White and Thomas said.
Akimat of Astana
According to foreign tourists, the festival allowed them to discover Kazakhstan from a new perspective through its traditions, music, sports, and the hospitality of its people.
BaiQymyz-2026 also featured an environmental campaign and a public awareness initiative focused on public safety.
Akimat of Astana
Organisers say the festival has evolved beyond a gastronomic celebration into a major international platform for promoting Kazakh culture, supporting domestic producers, and developing event tourism. The success of this year's edition reflects growing interest in Kazakhstan's national traditions both at home and abroad.
Kazakhstan-developed cancer drug reaches penultimate trial stage
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The second phase of clinical trials of a domestically developed cancer treatment is continuing in Kazakhstan, with specialists now working to determine the optimal dosage, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek told a government briefing.
The trials are being conducted at an oncology centre in Astana. Researchers are studying how the body responds to different doses of the drug.
"We are now determining the dosage - in other words, how the body responds to higher and lower doses. We will try to complete this work by the end of this year and submit the drug for pre-registration," Nurbek said.
According to the minister, once the second phase of clinical trials is completed, the confirmed results will be submitted for review. The developers will then be able to begin the drug registration process.
"This is the penultimate step, and this is where we are now," the minister said.
Nurbek said the drug is expected to be registered through the National Centre for Expertise of Medicines and Medical Devices. At the initial stage, the developers plan to bring it to market in Kazakhstan and other Eurasian Economic Union countries.
To sell the drug in other countries, it will subsequently have to undergo registration procedures with the relevant foreign regulatory authorities.
"Our task now is to ensure that it becomes available as an officially registered drug within the Eurasian Economic Union," Nurbek said.
Sky of Bayserke Air Show Draws About 10,000 Spectators
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About 10,000 people attended the Sky of Bayserke 2026 air show at the Bayserke airfield in the Almaty region, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports said.
Spectators were shown the capabilities of various aircraft and the skills of professional pilots. The program featured Mi-2 and Mi-8AMT helicopters; An-2, Yak-18T, Yak-52, Yak-55, Socata TB-10, Socata TB-20 and Partenavia P.68 aircraft; as well as powered hang gliders and model aircraft.
Ministry of Tourism and Sports
One of the highlights was a firefighting demonstration involving a Mi-8AMT helicopter. Spectators also watched a mass parachute jump from two An-2 aircraft and group flights in Diamond and Fan formations.
Ministry of Tourism and Sports
The program concluded with a joint performance by pilots and parachutists. The air show ended with a performance of the Sky of Bayserke anthem, a drum show and fireworks. Ministry of Tourism and Sports Ministry of Tourism and Sports
Kazakhstan to Shorten University Programs and Introduce Flexible Study Formats
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Kazakhstan plans to shorten university degree programs and introduce more flexible and hybrid formats in higher education, Science and Higher Education Minister Sayasat Nurbek said at a government briefing.
According to the minister, universities have already been given the authority to independently change not only the content of their academic programs but also the length of study. The state compulsory education standard was revised in 2022 to make this possible.
"Universities can now determine and modify up to 92% of their program content, including the duration of study. We had a pilot project at Astana IT University, with bachelor’s programs lasting three years or two and a half years. We are granting approval. Universities are gradually beginning to experiment with the length of study as well," Nurbek said.
He said the traditional four-year degree may already be too long for some fields because knowledge and technology are changing rapidly. This primarily applies to information technology and artificial intelligence.
"There are certain fields in which four years is indeed too long because the content changes so significantly," the minister said.
The Science and Higher Education Ministry has also proposed introducing applied bachelor’s degrees, a shorter and more practice-oriented form of study. The proposal has already been submitted to the government.
A pilot project is expected to be launched in cooperation with higher colleges. School graduates will be able to enroll in shorter applied bachelor’s degree programs and later continue their education at a university under a modular system if they choose.
Asked whether the duration of university programs would be reduced in the future, Nurbek said it would.
"Yes. Programs will become shorter, and new formats will emerge, including more flexible and hybrid formats. We have already prepared the regulatory framework and tested pilot projects. In principle, it works," he said.
Kazakhstan is also experimenting with the use of artificial intelligence in higher education. The Kazakh Research University of Artificial Intelligence will open in September, with algorithms integrated into the educational process.
Nurbek said AI would be used to develop an educational platform, personalize learning and tailor students’ individual workloads to their interests.
"This is a very bold experiment. Not many countries are moving in this direction, although the United States and China are conducting extensive experiments. Now we are launching it as well," the minister said.
A new model for organizing higher education is expected to be presented separately in October. Nurbek said Kazakhstan is also studying the experience of foreign universities and their approaches to organizing teaching and research.
"There are many experiments underway in higher education, and we are not afraid to experiment either," the minister said.
Kazakhstan’s Central Bank Plans to Raise Limit on Mobile Transfers Between Individuals
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The National Bank of Kazakhstan has drafted amendments aimed at expanding the country’s interbank mobile payment system and strengthening protections for alimony payments against claims by third parties.
One of the key amendments concerns transfers between individuals. The National Bank proposes raising the limit on such transactions and adding new services to the interbank mobile payment system. However, the published draft does not specify the proposed new limit.
The amendments also clarify the procedure for protecting alimony payments from claims by third parties.
In addition, the draft proposes establishing a list of documents required for an administrator acting under Kazakhstan’s Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy to open a current account. Proceeds from the sale of a debtor’s assets would be deposited into this account.
The changes would also apply to money transfers made without opening a bank account. When sending money to recipients in other countries, customers would be required to provide details of their identity document in the transfer application. The measure is linked to legal requirements aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The draft resolution has been published for public consultation on Kazakhstan’s Open Legal Acts portal until 1 September 2026.
Kazakhstan’s Shubat Fest 2026 to Be Held in Aktau on August 29
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Kazakhstan’s national Shubat Fest 2026 will take place on August 29 at the Amphitheatre Square in Aktau, where the country’s best producers of shubat, a traditional fermented camel milk drink, will be selected, according to the press service of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The festival aims to promote shubat and other camel milk products, as well as encourage the development of gastronomic tourism.
The main event will be a competition to determine Kazakhstan’s best shubat producer. Participants will also compete in several special categories. The festival will feature kurt, a traditional dried dairy product, balkaymak, desserts, ice cream, coffee and cocktails made with camel milk.
Individuals, companies, as well as agricultural and farming enterprises producing camel-based products are eligible to take part. Twenty participants will be selected for the final, with samples of their shubat tested by an independent accredited laboratory.
Winners will be determined according to three criteria. Laboratory test results will account for 40% of the final score, the decision of a professional jury for another 40%, and a public vote for the remaining 20%. Specialists will assess the safety and quality of the shubat, while the jury will evaluate its taste, consistency, aroma and presentation.
The top three winners of the main competition will receive 1 million, 700,000 and 500,000 tenge, respectively. The Grand Prix winner will be awarded a car. Cash prizes will also be presented in the special categories.
The festival will conclude with a gala concert featuring popular performers. Organisers expect 20,000 to 25,000 people to attend Shubat Fest 2026.
"Sky of Baiserke 2026": major air show takes place near Almaty
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The annual Sky of Baiserke 2026 aviation festival has opened in the village of Baiserke in the Ili district of Almaty Region, bringing together aviation enthusiasts, industry professionals, local residents and visitors, the regional administration said.
As part of the festival, a press conference was held focusing on the development of general aviation in Kazakhstan, aviation tourism and efforts to encourage young people to pursue technical careers.
Experts said events of this kind give children and teenagers an opportunity to learn more about careers as pilots, engineers and aircraft technicians. Seeing aircraft up close and speaking directly with industry professionals can help spark young people's interest in aviation and engineering careers, they said.
Participants also focused on the development of general aviation. They said this would require fostering a stronger aviation culture, raising public awareness of opportunities within the sector and regularly holding events open to the public.
Akimat of Almaty Region
The main programme of Sky of Baiserke 2026 began after the press conference. Visitors were treated to flight demonstrations and displays of aviation equipment, as well as entertainment and educational activities. Guests were able to see aircraft up close and learn about their features and careers in the aviation industry.
Tourism development was another key theme of the festival. Organisers said Almaty Region's natural landscape and vast open spaces offer opportunities to develop aviation tourism and attract more visitors to the region.
The Sky of Baiserke 2026 festival aims to promote aviation, introduce young people to technical careers and showcase the tourism potential of Almaty Region.
The LOTUS FEST 2026 cultural and tourism festival has opened in the village of Teniz in the Kurmangazy district, the regional communications service said.
Akimat of Atyrau region
The festival is dedicated to the region’s lotus fields and aims to attract more tourists to the Atyrau Region.
Akimat of Atyrau region
"This festival not only introduces the wider public to the natural beauty of the lotus fields, but also helps boost the region’s tourism potential. Such unique natural attractions will help increase the number of visitors to the Atyrau Region," Kurmangazy district akim Abat Zhangaliyev said at the opening ceremony.
Akimat of Atyrau region
A concert programme was organised for festival visitors, featuring performances by the Sarmad ethno-folk ensemble, the Zhaiyk Kyzy folk dance ensemble and singer Kuandyk Rakhym.
Astana Plans District Boundary Changes and Seven New Bus Routes
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Astana authorities plan to revise the boundaries of several districts and launch seven additional bus routes, officials said at a city maslikhat meeting on Aug. 14.
Altynbek Akhmetov, head of Astana’s Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Land Relations, said certain sections of the boundaries had been adjusted where they followed the riverbed.
Following the revisions, the district areas will change as follows:
Almaty district will shrink by 106 hectares, from 8,518 to 8,412 hectares;
Yesil district will expand by 87 hectares, from 20,431 to 20,518 hectares;
Saryarka district will expand by 369 hectares, from 6,775 to 7,144 hectares;
Nura district will shrink by 411 hectares, from 18,927 to 18,516 hectares;
Baikonyr district will expand by 61 hectares, from 18,129 to 18,190 hectares.
The changes are intended to update land registry records and bring the districts’ official boundaries into line with their actual boundaries.
The meeting also addressed the development of public transportation. Askhat Karagoishin, head of the Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development, said officials had proposed launching seven additional routes in response to residents’ requests:
No. 67: Prigorodny residential area to Yryskeldi Kazhy Mosque;
No. 74: Uly Dala Avenue to the Yugo-Vostok residential area;
No. 76: Alai Market to the Zheleznodorozhny residential area;
No. 83: Ondiris residential area to the railway station;
No. 506: Zhansugurov Street to the Family Village cottage community;
No. 507: Nurly Zhol railway station to the Zhagalau-4 residential complex;
No. 508: Nurly Zhol railway station to the Logistics Department.
Karagoishin said the new routes were expected to be in high demand, carrying up to 30,000 passengers a day.
