SCAT Launches Direct Flights Between Astana and Ulaanbaatar
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Kazakh airline SCAT has launched direct flights between Astana and Ulaanbaatar, with services commencing on June 2, 2026, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport said.
The route is operated twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The ministry also noted that Mongolian carrier Hunnu Air currently operates flights between Almaty and Ulaanbaatar three times a week. Beginning June 6, the frequency of those services will increase to four flights per week.
As a result, a total of six weekly flights will operate between Kazakhstan and Mongolia across two routes, further strengthening air connectivity between the two countries.
Alma-Arasan Gorge and Prokhodnoye Gorge Closed Temporarily in Almaty
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The Alma-Arasan area and Prokhodnoye Gorge in Almaty have been temporarily closed due to rockfall mitigation works, the Ile-Alatau State National Nature Park said in a statement.
Access to the area will be restricted from July 13 to July 17, daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Earlier this month, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations stepped up monitoring of mudflow-prone areas and warned residents of the Almaty, Zhambyl and Zhetysu regions about the risk of mudflows and landslides.
It was also reported earlier that temporary evacuation centres were being prepared in one of Almaty's districts due to the threat of mudflows.
Meanwhile, following heavy rainfall, the Aksai River overflowed its banks, flooding the area around the Toimart supermarket along Tashkent Trakt. Videos shared on social media showed several parked vehicles submerged in floodwaters.
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.
Labour Ministry Clarifies Changes to State Guarantee on Pension Savings
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Kazakhstan's Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has responded to discussions in the media and on social media regarding proposed changes to the state guarantee on pension savings.
The ministry recalled that the state guarantee has been in place since 2003. It was introduced at a time when contributors were not allowed to choose how their pension savings were invested. Under the system, if investment returns fell below the rate of inflation, the state compensated contributors for the difference.
Contributors now have the right to choose both their pension asset management company and investment strategy. According to the ministry, under these conditions the state should not be held responsible for the outcomes of investment decisions made independently by individuals.
The ministry also stressed that the state guarantee is a one-time compensation mechanism and does not affect the amount of regular pension payments over the long term.
At the same time, the ministry emphasised that the proposed changes do not mean the state is abandoning its role in safeguarding pension savings. The pension asset management system will continue to operate under a multi-tiered system of state oversight, as before.
Archaeological Breakthrough: Three Rare Neolithic Burials Discovered in Kazakhstan
Images | Kostanay University
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Scientists from Akhmet Baitursynuly Kostanay Regional University have uncovered three rare Neolithic burials in the Auliekol district of Kazakhstan's Kostanay Region, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education said.
Preliminary estimates date the discoveries to the 7th-5th millennia BC.
During excavations, archaeologists found the remains of one child and two adults buried beneath the floors of ancient dwellings. According to researchers, such burials are extremely rare not only in the Kostanay Region but across Kazakhstan as a whole.
Irina Shevnina, head of the research project, said archaeologists typically recover stone and bone tools, pottery fragments and ornaments. Burials beneath the floors of dwellings are encountered far less frequently and are considered to be of exceptional scientific significance.
Another major outcome of the expedition was the discovery of semi-subterranean dwellings belonging to the Makhandzhar culture at the Shili archaeological site. Previous research had largely focused on ancient campsites, while residential structures of this type have now been identified at the site for the first time.
Researchers believe the discovery will provide valuable insights into the lifestyle, beliefs and burial traditions of the ancient populations of Central Asia.
The research is continuing. The next stage will include anthropological examinations, radiocarbon dating and other laboratory analyses aimed at establishing the precise age of the burials and providing new evidence on the Neolithic period in present-day Kazakhstan.
Russia Extends ruID App Pilot for Foreign Nationals Until End of 2027
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Russia has extended its pilot programme for the ruID mobile application, which allows foreign nationals to submit entry information before travelling to the country, until December 31, 2027, the Russian Embassy in Kazakhstan said.
The current entry procedures for foreign citizens travelling to Russia under the visa-free regime remain unchanged. Registration in the Unified System of Identification and Authentication (ESIA) and submission of an entry application through the ruID mobile application continue to be carried out on a voluntary basis as part of the pilot programme," the embassy said.
The embassy stressed that participation in the pilot does not affect the existing visa-free travel arrangements between citizens of Kazakhstan and Russia.
At the same time, we recommend that Kazakh citizens, especially those who regularly travel to Russia, register in the ruID application in advance. The application provides access to government services in electronic format and allows users to receive timely information about any potential entry restrictions," the embassy said.
It added that, as Russia continues to expand its digital public services, the application is expected to make access to government services faster and more convenient in the future.
Around 10,000 Foreign Tourists Expected in Astana for the Games of the Future 2026
Images | gov.kz
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Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has inspected Astana's preparations for the Games of the Future 2026, an international phygital sports tournament scheduled to begin on July 29 under the instruction of the President.
Around 1,000 athletes from 35 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are expected to compete. Heads of foreign states, leaders of international sports organisations and executives from major digital technology companies have also confirmed their attendance at the opening ceremony.
The tournament will be held at four venues: Barys Arena, the QAZAQSTAN Athletics Sports Complex, the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, and the Beeline Arena National Tennis Centre.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabossynov said all venues are fully prepared for the competition. Digital infrastructure has been installed, facilities have been readied for athletes and visitors, and a volunteer centre with more than 1,000 volunteers has been established. Particular attention has been paid to security, logistics and service quality.
Athletes will compete in eight disciplines: phygital football, phygital basketball, phygital shooters, phygital martial arts, phygital dance, Battle Royale, and MOBA competitions on both personal computers and mobile devices. The tournament's total prize fund exceeds $4 million. Kazakhstan will be represented by 11 teams competing across all eight disciplines.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the event is expected to attract around 10,000 foreign tourists, providing a boost to the hospitality, transport and service sectors.
Following the inspection, Bektenov instructed all government agencies and organisations involved in the event to ensure close coordination in the final stages of preparation and during the tournament itself.
BaiQymyz-2026 Festival Featuring More Than 60 Kumis Producers Opens in Astana
Images | gov.kz
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A two-day international gastronomic festival, BaiQymyz-2026, has opened at the Qazanat Hippodrome in Astana, the city administration reported.
More than 60 kumis producers from across Kazakhstan are taking part in the festival, alongside guests from the Kyrgyz Republic and Yakutia (Russia). Visitors will have the opportunity to taste different varieties of the traditional fermented mare's milk drink, learn about its preparation, and watch an international competition in which the best producers will compete for the top title," the administration said.
The festival features a wide-ranging cultural and sporting programme, including masterclasses on preparing traditional Kazakh dishes, the Best Qazy competition, and contests in kokpar, baige horse racing, audaryspak, kyz kuu, traditional archery, and other national sports.
The event also hosts the Dästür Säni: BaiQymyz-2026 competition, aimed at promoting Kazakh culture and traditions. The winners will be announced on July 12.
Performers on the main stage include Sadraddin, the Turan ethno-folk ensemble, Kairat Baekenov and the band Format, Kydyrali Bolmanov, Karakat Abildina, and other artists.
Admission to the festival is ticketed, while pensioners and children under the age of 16 can attend free of charge.
International "Qyzyljar Aueni" Music Festival Underway in Petropavl
Images | qaztourism.kz
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The international Qyzyljar Aueni music festival has opened in Petropavl, bringing together performers from Kazakhstan, Europe and the United States.
The festival is being held on the city's Constitution of Kazakhstan Pedestrian Street.
Every day at 7:00 p.m., the city's main square will transform into a large open-air concert venue, bringing together different musical genres, cultures and generations," the Petropavl akimat said.
qaztourism.kz
Over the five-day festival, audiences will enjoy performances by musical ensembles and solo artists featuring both classical and contemporary works. The programme also includes dance battles and gala concerts.
According to the organisers, the festival has become a hallmark of the cultural life of the North Kazakhstan Region.
This is more than a series of concerts. It is a major event that brings people together through music, art and live interaction. The festival offers audiences the opportunity to enjoy performances by world-class artists, discover new musical styles and spend warm summer evenings in a festive atmosphere," the organisers said.
