Edge Magazine 2012 Issue 1 by Coast2Coast Communications

K a z a k h s t a n

Reaching

New Heights

www.EdgeKz.com

April 2012

Kazakhstan

Your Guide to What’s Hot and What’s Happening

WHAT’S HOT Nightclubs Restaurants Arts & Culture And Much More… Almaty & Astana

www.EdgeKz.com

Fashion KZ Collections Model Finds Maturity

Kazakhs Sail Around the World

Undiscovered

Adventure

Explore Kazakhstan’s little visited treasures

Pink Bunny

Film captures Kazakh youth and audiences

Kazakhstan Takes Lead in Nuclear Security Everything you wanted to know about Kazakhstan, Almaty and Astana 06_final_cover_spead.indd 1

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CONTENTS edge www.EdgeKz.com Published by the International Information Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Editor-in-Chief Patrick Gilsenan Contributing Writers Alex Walters Colin Berlyne Michelle Witte Teri Barner Michael Jacobsen Contributing Photographers Marat Abilov Igor Logvin Research and Production Dionis Chinivizov Marzhan Kemelbayeva Designed by Addnoise Dimitra Darlioti Evdokia Stivaktaki Consultants Jennifer Grinnell Paula Mahoney With thanks for assistance and photography Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kazakhstan Federation of Ice Hockey

The Coolest Ride Around Almaty opens Central Asia’s newest subway

New Heights Kazakh climber is among the best in the world

Pink Bunny Film captures Kazakh youth and audiences

Kazakhstan on Ice The country has a passion for hockey

The Kazakh Steppe Ancient landscape informs the modern world

EXPO 2017 Astana seeks to host major international exposition

The Next Place for Undiscovered Adventure Explore Kazakhstan’s little visited treasures

Kazakhstan Sets Sail Adventurers sail around the world promoting Kazakh culture

Seoul Nuclear Summit Kazakhstan plays lead role in nuclear security

Space Bound Kazakhstan readies for space exploration

Fashion Kazakh designer brings theatricality to daily life

Building a Business Culture Kazakhstan’s first independent generation

Kazakh Model Young woman finds maturity on the catwalk

Dombra The instrument of a nation

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Astana Listings 66

Restaurants

CafĂŠs

Bars

Nightclubs

Arts & Culture

Fitness & Banya

Hotels

Shopping

100 Almaty Listings Useful Information

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108

Kazakhstan

110

Astana

114

Almaty

118

Astana Map

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Central

Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newest Subway Opens

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By Colin Berlyne

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A O

It took 23 years to give the 1.4 million inhabitants of Almaty their first subway, but it was worth the wait. The first 8.56 km stretch of track and first seven passenger stations of the new rapid transit underground rail system opened in December 2011 and Almaty residents tell EdgeKz Magazine they are excited to have it. “I don’t have a car and I travel on buses. In comparison to the mass transit buses, there are no crowds. It’s clean and it’s fast,” said Ludmila Smertina, a 65year old retiree from Almaty. “Right now there is slush and mud on the streets, but the subway is neat and comfortable.” When fully completed, the metro system will total 45 km of track on three lines. Construction has started

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on an extension line to the western suburbs that will add five stations. And work on a 17 km-long second line is scheduled to start next year. “We have been waiting for the opening of the subway,” Almaty school teacher Inna Fedorenko, 40, told EdgeKz. “I hope that the second phase will start as soon as possible and quickly reach into the (outer) neighborhoods.” But it’s not just the system’s convenience that is winning praise. The new metro has also already been included on the list of the top ten “coolest” and most beautiful subway systems in the world by the TheCoolest.com website. “The world’s youngest subway is immediately amongst the world’s most beautiful, featuring a design

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Above and opposite: Almaty’s new metro system

character that is at once modern and classical. Stained glass windows, geometric paint patterns, glossy floors and ornate chandeliers make this subway system a destination in its own right,” the website wrote. TheCoolest.com lists the Almaty Metro alongside the famous Washington, DC, and Moscow systems. Almaty’s system is much smaller but equals or surpasses the others for its unique design and atmosphere. Stations and tunnels shine in turquoise blue and their arches and entrances are shaped in the design of traditional Kazakh caravanserai, or inns along the Great Silk Road. Stained glass windows glow with unique designs. Ornate chandeliers grace many of the tunnels. And giant, specially commissioned paintings of richly colored scenes from Kazakh history and culture adorn the walls. Ornate glazed tiles on the walkways also display traditional artistic motifs and architectural designs. As a result, the metro offers not just a quick commute across Central Asia’s main business center, but a visually pleasing refuge from the bustle of 21st century life on the streets above. “I really like our subway,” said Olga Bobrova, 26, of Almaty. “If you compare it, for example, to Paris… It’s wide and beautiful.” The metro project is a pioneering one. Only one other subway system has been built in Central Asia.

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That system is in Tashkent, the capital and largest city in Uzbekistan. The Almaty system currently includes four deeplevel stations and three sub-surface stations. Seven gleaming, sleek trains service the first line. The construction cost is estimated at around $1.1 billion. Construction of the eighth and ninth stations in the system, Sairan and Molodezhnaya, has already begun. Today, passengers can ride the first section of Line One beginning at the Rayimbek Batyr terminus and pass through the five transfer stations of Zhibek Zholy, Almaly, Abai, Baikonur and Auezov Theatre before coming to Alatau. Work is underway to extend Line One from Alatau to Kalkaman, a residential district on the outskirts of Almaty. Line 3 will connect the Rayimbek Batyr in the commercial heart of the city to the Almaty-1 railway station in its northern suburb. South Korea’s Hyundai Corporation won the $150 million contract in December 2007 to build the 28 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains for the system as well as the vehicle depot tools, escalators and signal systems. The system was designed by the Kazakh

The world’s youngest subway is immediately among the world’s most beautiful featuring a design that is modern and classical

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10 Riders on Almaty’s new metro system

Metroproject company and its construction was carried out by Almatymetrokurylys, a special company set up for the purpose. The first stage of the system can carry 26,000 commuters and runs seven days a week from 6 a.m. until midnight, and has won a reputation for cleanliness and safety. The trains and walkways are monitored by 29 security systems. The transit system is also an important component of Kazakhstan’s strategy of encouraging renewable and environmentally clean energy: When completed, it’s expected to replace no less than 300 surface bus routes. This will dramatically reduce congestion on Almaty’s teeming streets and reduce the discharge of greenhouse gases.

The system has also been designed to the highest international safety standards. Its tunnels have been built to be earthquake-proof. Almaty has always been a city loved for its leafy charm, wide boulevards and spectacular mountains. The new Metro system is a major step towards preserving that gracious legacy and ensuring the city’s rise as the business capital of Central Asia. “Today is an exciting historical day for our country, when Kazakhstan’s first metro facility was put into operation,” President Nursultan Nazarbayev said during a commissioning ceremony in December 2011. “It is a great gift to the citizens of Almaty for the (December 16, 2011) celebration of the twentieth anniversary of our country’s independence.” e

Stained glass windows, geometric patterns and ornate chandeliers make this subway system a destination in its own right

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Kazakh Film

Captures Unique Moment

TIMELESS TALE SET AMONG Modern Kazakh YOUTH By Alex Walters

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Above: Scenes from the film The Tale of the Pink Bunny

The film touches on the lives of not only Kazakh youth, but the plot is relevant to youth around the world

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Now is a unique time in the history of Kazakhstan and for the first generation of Kazakh youth to come of age in an independent country. Young Kazakhs today have educational, social and professional opportunities open to them that were unthinkable to their parents under the Soviet Union. A recent Kazakh college graduate can now get on the Internet and blog about their lives or see how the rest of the world lives. They can study in New York or Paris. Or they can stay in Kazakhstan and start their own businesses in the country’s emerging capitalist society. But with these new opportunities come new temptations and new risks. And with no previous generation to show them the way into this new world, Kazakh youth are left to navigate these complex changes on their own. That may be the one reason a recent film which captures well this moment in time in Kazakhstan has become the highest grossing domestic film in Kazakh history and has been well received at festivals around the world. “I really liked the movie as I’ve watched it 4 or 5 times,” 23-year-old Makpal Shomenova of the Bolashak Center for International Programs in Astana told EdgeKz. “I was satisfied by the whole idea of the film. The film touches on the lives of not only Kazakh youth, but also the plot of the film is up-to-date for the youth of the whole world.”

The Tale of the Pink Bunny is a dark story written and directed by one of Kazakhstan’s young directors, Farkhat Sharipov, and was first released in 2010. It tells the timeless story of a small town boy who leaves his village in search of success in the big city. In the case of the Tale of the Pink Bunny, the main character Erlan, leaves his family to study in the city. There he meets and befriends society’s new gilded youth. But he has money troubles and is offered a lot of money if he can find someone willing to go to jail for someone else. It is through this story that he navigates change, temptation and ultimately loses his innocence. The movie seems a uniquely apt metaphor for a Kazakh youth culture facing their own influences, temptations and consequences. “They try to set up their lives in a magic manner only believing in the power of money, not more than that,” Sharipov told EdgeKz. “I think they differ from older generations quite a lot, as in the rest of the world… especially in attempting to black out a huge layer of Soviet culture (that) has broken many lives of older generations.” But, says Sharipov, he didn’t want to make a simple movie about right and wrong, but rather to show the difficulty and complexity of coming of age. “I think the main idea was to show that everything in life is trifles except the life itself that Zhan (another character in the film) so foolishly lost. But I wanted my movie to be complex and to contain many messages and meanings,” he said. He is also quick to point out that Pink Bunny isn’t just a movie about Kazakhstan. “A good movie does not have a nationality,” he says. Sharipov added that youth around the world have often a difficult time finding their place. “Many (young people) are distressed for their motherland’s destiny, but for some reason they don’t believe that its destiny is in their own hands, and mostly they feel the mass weakness that I cannot understand and just drift with the stream,” he said. “I’m not talking about global reforms: I’m only talking about some apathy within the public and social lives of people.” Not all young Kazakhs agree, however. Aliya Akhmedova, a 24-year-old government worker in Astana told EdgeKz she doesn’t believe things are as dark for her generation as some parts of the movie depict. “I think the world is not as bad as it is shown in this film. It is necessary to believe in people and encourage them to have positive emotions,” she said. The complexity of the film is even reflected in its name. Sharipov choose the name Pink Bunny because a big pink bunny would normally be looked on as something positive without showing the reality behind the costume.

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The story is one of the oldest in world culture, but in this director’s hands it becomes a gripping window on a changing society “(Pink Bunny) is an image that just occurred to me. A bunny is a small creature that is doomed to hiding in order not to be eaten by predators. But a huge pink bunny is like a mask or a world image that is looked at by people through rose-colored glasses,” he said. Sharipov also told EdgeKz that he is concerned about Kazakh youth today because they are becoming more and more influenced by the Western culture

they see on the internet and in movies, which shows only a narrow, distorted view of the West. “It’s not usually truthful information from the Internet. So a youth’s outlook towards things is very narrow,” he told EdgeKz. The director, himself only 29, was able to draw on a broad array of experiences in creating the story. Sharipov is a product of the big city. He was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis and main business center. He is a graduate of the Los Angeles branch of the highly respected New York Film Academy and made his name as a young rising star with shorts, especially his graduate movie, Happy and Unhappy. Sharipov believes his time in the U.S. and Los Angeles gave him insights into the shared experiences of his fellow young Kazakhs in feeling the effects of the impact of Western culture. And though Sharipov believes this story could be about youth anywhere, his roots and directorial influences are rooted in his home country. “I have no other experience than in Kazakhstan,” he said. “I think all directors’ and movie-makers’ in general work is based on their life experience,” he said. Sharipov’s movie also reflects the influence of the great Japanese movie master Akira Kurosawa in his 1940s-50s classics about post-war Japan; a successful, rapidly prospering society where people struggled to regain, or were bewildered by the loss of cherished traditional values. And it is reminiscent of the “New Wave” that transformed British cinema in the 1950s and early 1960s. Pink Bunny is a carefully observed social morality tale that contrasts the lasting vital role of eternal values with the petty vanities of ego and ambition that chart human destiny. The story is one of the oldest in world culture, but in Sharipov’s hands it becomes a gripping window on a dynamic, rapidly growing society. The widely-read, New York City-based Huffington Post blog responded to it by proclaiming “’Move Over Borat, Kazakh FilmMakers Take Control of National Image.” As with many artists, Sharipov would prefer viewers form their own impressions concerning the degree to which the movie reflects today’s Kazakh youth. “You are to judge,” he told EdgeKz. But with today’s Kazakh youth coming of age in a time of new opportunities, influences and temptations, Pink Bunny seems a fitting allegory for a unique time in Kazakhstan’s young history. e

Pink Bunny movie poster

Left: Director Farkhat Sharipov, with camera, on the set of Pink Bunny

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the

Kazakh

Steppe

Ancient Culture Informs Modern World

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Khan Shatyr

By Alex Walters

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Border with Kyrgyzstan

Ruins of Sauran Fortress

The endless, rolling Eurasian steppe has shaped the identity of the Kazakh people. Just as the British look to the sea, the Americans to their fabled Western frontier and the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula to the desert, the Kazakhs remain entranced by their fabled grass ocean. It continues to inspire and guide them today. The Kazakh people learned their reverence for the wonders of nature from the steppe. But they also learned that nature is powerful and extreme. They had to learn to adapt to the extremes of heat in the summer and some of the coldest temperatures on earth in winter. The steppe has no natural defenses. It is open, rolling grassland for thousands of miles. To survive on the steppe requires respect for the individual,

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Zhetysu near Almaty

but above all it requires social organization, cooperation and teamwork. Close family ties and clan identities remain strong in Kazakh society to this day. The clan was essential to the survival of the tribal groups living on the great steppe. Hospitality to strangers became one of the most cherished values of Kazakh society. Everyone needed the help and protection of others from marauding enemies, in times of drought and famine, and most of all from the endless storms and ferocious merciless winds that blow on from the Siberian steppe through the long dark winters. These principles of hospitality saved hundreds of thousands of lives in modern times and ensured Kazakhstan would become the stable, multiracial society it has become after gaining independence.

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The endless, rolling Eurasian steppe has shaped the identity of the Kazakh people

In the 1930s, Soviet dictator Josef Stalin deported hundreds of thousands of people from every ethnic background to Central Asia. They were deported in cattle cars and literally dumped without any support in the middle of the empty steppe. Almost all of them would have died in the extreme weather conditions were it not for the generosity, hospitality and kindness of the local Kazakh people. The ties of friendship and trust created during those incredibly difficult years continue to guide the peaceful multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-faith society of Kazakhstan in this 21st century. Today, hundreds of thousands of people in Kazakhstan are descended from the Germans, Poles, Jews, Koreans, Chechens, and other nationalities who were deported by Stalin in those dark, far-off days only to discover a new life and future for themselves in tolerant and inclusive Kazakhstan. The steppe also provided food. The Kazakh people herded their cattle and also took milk and meat from their horses. Today, Kazakhstan is well on its way to becoming one of the great food-producing nations of the world. Within the next 20 years, current plans call for it to produce and export meat and grain on a scale comparable to Canada, Australia and Argentina. In a world of 7 billion people, the need for new breadbasket lands is greater than it has ever been before. The Ka-

zakh steppe has that potential. And the Kazakh people are combining the expertise of modern farming, agrobusiness and science with their ancient knowledge of their own lands to realize it. It is particularly striking that land reduced by Soviet communism to starvation and the death of more than a million people from famine more than 80 years ago is now emerging as one of the most productive territories in the world. And, according to Zardykhan Kinayatuly, a history professor at the Institute of History and Ethnography in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s growing cities also rely on the steppe for their very survival. “Imagine the large and small cities, industrial centers without the steppe. The city breathes air from the oxygen fields, drinks (the steppe’s) water. Smog coming out of the city is cleared and absorbed by the air and winds of the steppes. Grains and vegetables are grown in fields that are not in the city. Cities and factories operate on raw materials, which are produced in the steppes, but not in the cities… The city is unthinkable without the steppe,” Kinayatuly told EdgeKz. The Kazakh people have made great strides since achieving independence 20 years ago, but they had untold millennia of experience to help them. The nurturing steppe was not only the pantry to feed the horses and herds of the Kazakh clans; it was also the school

This page and opposite: Scenes from Kazakhstan’s Steppe

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The Kazakh people learned that the secret to prospering on the steppe was to cultivate good ties with the nations and civilizations around them that taught the clans the virtues and responsibilities of freedom, self-government and independence. And it guided them to learn the vital necessity of coexistence and cooperation with their neighbors, and of developing the skills of diplomacy to achieve it. Kazakhstan could have retreated into itself after gaining independence 20 years ago, as some of its neighboring nations did. Instead, it built constructive and lasting ties with surrounding nations and faraway governments such as Japan, the European Union and the United States. An independent Kazakhstan has been able to achieve these diplomatic goals because the Kazakh people as a whole recognized their value and remember the lessons that had stood them so well for so long as the great trading and communications people of the steppe. The steppe was always open and the Kazakh people learned the secret to surviving and prospering was to trade and cultivate good ties with the far more populous nations and civilizations that surrounded them. The British liked to call camels the ships of the desert. And the recent archaeological research has shown that the horse was first documented in the

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steppes of Kazakhstan. The small, tough horses of Central Asia became the ships of the steppe. Domesticating them allowed the Kazakh people to become master herdsmen, traders and even explorers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all know that horses (are) Kazakh wings. Kazakhstan without a horse is not Kazakh,â&#x20AC;? Kinayatuly said. Therefore, despite the vast empty plains in which they lived and the harshness of their climate, they never became a suspicious or insular people. This exploration, tolerance and appreciation for the cultures, beliefs and technological inventions of other lands have been Kazakhstanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basis for success in embracing the modern technological world to the benefit of the Kazakh people in the decades since independence. The Kazakhs have also always been a peaceful people who fought wars with renowned skill when they had to, but who preferred the ways of skillful diplomacy and relationship-building trade. The steppe taught them these values. No one could wage wars on the steppe in the depths of the unprecedented Eurasian winter and its apparently endless nights of unrelenting darkness and cold. In such an environment, survival was always a challenge on the very limits of physical possibility. Therefore, it was always clear to the clans

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The steppe’s principles of hospitality have helped Kazakhstan become the peaceful, multi-racial society it has become since gaining independence

of the Kazakh steppe that no one could ever truly win protracted wars. The infrastructure for survival would rapidly be destroyed and no participants in any serious conflict could truly win it. Everyone would die. The implacable harshness of the winter steppe and the renewal it offered each spring is a metaphor for the reemergence of Kazakhstan following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the possibilities ahead for the country. But the poetry of the steppe has, in fact, fired the imaginations of new generations of Kazakhs for centuries. “A lot of works born from the life of the steppes have turned into the classics of our time. (Such as) today’s Kazakh opera “Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu”, Kinayatuly said.

Over the past decade, the steppe has emerged even more strongly to the forefront of the national consciousness since the capital of the country was transferred from Almaty, on the foot-slopes of the Pamir Mountains far to the south, to Astana – the shining new city on the steppe. The master plan drawn up for the new city emphasized its mix and interaction of rural and urban, nature and industry. Far more than Almaty, Astana embodies and reflects the historical identity of the Kazakh nation as a preeminent people of the steppe. The city’s great Khan Shatyr, a spectacular shopping and entertainment center, is designed in the shape of a yurt, aerodynamically shaped to survive and endure the fierce winds and storms of the winter steppe. Nowhere in

Above: Traditional Kazakh yurts, the home of steppe nomads Bellow: Camels cross the vast steppe

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Above: Kazakhstan’s capital Astana. Right: Open steppe grasslands

Astana, a city of more than 700,000 people, are you more than 15 minutes’ drive from the sense of freedom and unlimited boundaries of the steppe. You can never forget the steppe no matter where you are in Astana – and you are not meant to: President Nursultan Nazarbayev and master architects Kisho Kurokawa from Japan and Lord Norman Foster from Britain from the very first days envisioned Astana as a city that celebrated the steppe, and that embodied in its essential nature the interaction of nature and urban life. It teaches its inhabitants to coexist with nature and that they cannot and should not defy her. It is in this spirit of interacting with and harnessing the power of nature that Astana is bidding to host EXPO-2017, the 2017 global exposition, or world’s fair, with the proposed theme of “The Energy of the Future.” Millions of Britons flock to their seaside resorts on holiday weekends and Saudis are still fascinated by their great desert. Similarly, Kazakhs still look to the steppes as the ancestral womb that nurtured them. To this day, the popular customs of religious and national holidays owe their origins to the millennia of steppe life. It is also fitting that the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the first human gateway to the stars, should lie in the remote heart of the rolling Kazakh steppe. The sense of exploration was already inculcated in the ancestors of the Kazakh peoples thousands of years ago when they first domesticated the horse and became the great traders, explorers and communicators of the heartland steppe.

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In April 1961, Yuri Gagarin in the Soviet spacecraft Vostok 1 became the first human being to explore space. Today, more than half a century after Gagarin’s epochal flight, the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan remains the main launch site for space exploration. All Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts who man the International Space Station are still launched from it. The same spirit that propels humans to explore the frontiers of space today is the one that was born among the earliest, courageous explorers of the seemingly limitless steppe thousands of years ago. And just as the steppe nurtured the Kazakh people from the darkest ages of antiquity, the Kazakh people must now also nurture the steppe. “Mankind must save the steppe,” Kinayatuly urges. “The future of the steppe is in the hands of the people.” e

To survive on the steppe requires respect for the individual, but above all it requires social organization, cooperation and teamwork

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Nation

People

Eurasia & World

Society

www.AstanaTimes.kz Your monthly English language newspaper in Kazakhstan

Culture Business Business People Tourism Sports Editorials Country People Society Economy

Opinions

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expo 2017

Astana Seeks a Few Million

New Friends By Michael Jacobsen

If you were a relatively new country open for business with lots to offer but not well known to most of the world, would you want roughly 5 million people to stop by for a visit? Of course. And that’s why Kazakhstan is now on the tail end of an international, multi-year effort to host EXPO 2017, otherwise known as the 2017 International Specialized Exhibition, in its capital city Astana. The tradition of World’s Fairs began in Paris in 1844 with an event called the French Industrial Exposition. Its success quickly sparked more such fairs across Europe and the United Kingdom. And the events soon became the way countries introduced their latest and greatest in the realms of culture, commerce and industrial development. Over the last century and a half, some of these multi-month events have even come to be associated with the introduction of significant steps forward in human achievement. Such World’s Fairs are held every five years, with the next event to be held in 2015 in Milano, Italy. Similar to these fairs are specialized expositions. These are also held every five years, but are devoted to spe-

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cific subjects. The next such event will be EXPO 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea on the subject of “Living Ocean and Coast”. EXPO 2017 will be one of those specialized events. Its topic has not yet been determined. Both styles of expos have traditionally attracted millions of visitors. EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, China attracted a record-breaking 73 million people over 184 days. It is for that reason that Kazakhstan, an emerging business, energy and culture hub in the heart of Eurasia, is hoping to land the 2017 event. “If EXPO 2017 is held in Kazakhstan, it will leave a great cultural heritage for the people of the country and will be financially beneficial for the state. The EXPO will enhance the credibility of the country and put it on the same level with developed nations,” said Juan Correas, Kazakhstan’s general consultant on EXPO 2017. Hosting the expo would also boost what has already been a successful, but short history of the independent country. Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in late 1991 and has since attracted more than $150 billion dollars in foreign direct

Kazakhstan is the first country from Central Asia to submit a bid to host a major International Specialized Exposition

Drawing: Kazakhstan plans to build state-of-the-art facilities if awarded EXPO 2017

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Above: Volunteer draws her support for EXPO 2017 bid Left: Astana city center and the Ak Orda Presidential Palace with blue dome

Kazakhstan’s efforts to land the EXPO have been comprehensive and international, reaching all the way to the president’s office investment, has remained one of the most politically and socially stable countries in the region and continues its tradition of tolerance and interaction between its dozens of religions and ethnicities. One challenge still facing the country, however, is that not many people know about these successes. Bringing millions of new visitors to Kazakhstan for an exhibition would certainly help change that. EXPO 2017 “should become a true adventure for guests, representing the cultural, political and economic life of Kazakhstan and other countries,” said Rapil Zhoshybayev, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s executive secretary and EXPO 2017 national coordinator. “New discoveries and a huge amount of positive emotions – this is the impression people should get after visiting the exhibition. And EXPO 2017 in Astana should be filled with this type of atmosphere. We have every intention to create it.” But Kazakhstan’s bid to host the event is not just wishful thinking. There are solid reasons that Kazakhstan, given its geopolitical position and relationships in the heart of Eurasia and its role as an emerging international energy source, would be a logical place to host the EXPO. “First of all, it is the first time in its history that an exhibition will come to Central Asia and the entire post-Soviet space,” said Aydar Kazybayev, chairman of the Bidding Committee and chairman of the Trade Committee of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. “Second, our country is a perfect

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place for the EXPO as it is located in the heart of the region, being a bridge between Europe and Asia, and we have historically maintained commercial, cultural and human contacts with both regions.” Kazakhstan would also like to focus the subject of EXPO 2017 on energy and would be an ideal location for an energy-focused expo because it is emerging as a major energy supplier and has made significant advances in the development of both traditional and alternative energy. Kazakhstan has become the world’s primary uranium producer, it is the home to the largest oil find in the last 30 years and it is among the world’s top 20 natural gas producers. Kazakhstan also plans to create an international database on new energy sources to allow nations to demonstrate their achievements in this field should Astana host EXPO 2017. It is also moving forward aggressively to develop alternative energy sources and is planning to invest more than $7.5 billion dollars in alternative energy development by 2015. For all of these reasons, the country has put forth its bid to host the event under the banner, “Energy of the Future”. In 2011, Kazakhstan’s Minister for Economic Integration Zhanar Aitzhanova told the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) General Assembly – the body that decides who hosts the event – that Kazakhstan viewed the EXPO as a perfect opportunity to promote international dialogue on ensuring energy and environmental security, stability, and prosperity on a world scale. Kazakhstan’s efforts to land the EXPO have been comprehensive and international, reaching all the way to the president’s office. In 2011, President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the 38th session of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that he hoped the 57 OIC member states would sup-

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23 port Astana’s bid to host the EXPO. And, in addition to making its formal case to the BIE General Assembly late last year, Kazakh diplomats have also been lobbying officials in countries such as Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, India, Australia and South Africa on behalf of Astana’s bid. Kazakhstan also highlighted its EXPO efforts through its pavilion during the 2011 20th Anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States and has lobbied for the event during major international conferences such as the Astana Economic Forum, the Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Islamic Economic Forum and the European Future Energy Forum. One of the most significant steps in the country’s efforts to land the event over its only rival – the Belgian city of Liege – came in March with a six-day visit to Astana by the expert commission of the Bureau International des Expositions. The commission delegation included such dignitaries as BIE Expert Commission Chairman Steen Christensen, BIE President Ferdinand Nagy, BIE Secretary General Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales as well as officials from Spain, France and Japan. The delegation was greeted by President Nazarbayev at the presidential palace and met with highlevel Kazakh officials, such as Prime Minister Karim Massimov and Majilis (lower house of the Parliament) Chairman Nurlan Nigmatulin. The delegation also got a glimpse of the broad support for the EXPO among Kazakh citizens when it was presented with the efforts of more than 2,000 Kazakh youth who expressed their support in paintings and artistic renderings. The renderings were presented during a ceremony at Astana’s new shopping and entertainment complex, Khan Shatyr. The traditional dance “Kara Zhorga” was also performed for the commission delegates.

The decision on who will host the 2017 event won’t come until November 2012 after the commission has presented its findings to the BIE’s more than 150 member countries, but BIE Secretary General Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales mentioned during the March visit that Kazakhstan’s bid has some attractive elements. “Kazakhstan has an advantage for holding EXPO 2017, since it is the first country from the Central Asian region ever to submit its application,” Loscertales said. The Secretary General also emphasized that Kazakhstan has a successful 20-year history of independence, which can be considered an additional advantage. “Kazakhstan has very good relations with many countries. It is seen in the international community as a peaceful country that stands apart from conflicts in the West and the East and that is why we consider this would play a significant role in the decision making,” the Secretary General continued. One other symbolic reason bolstering Astana’s bid is that in 2017 the city, which has become known internationally for its rapid growth and unique architecture, will celebrate the 20th anniversary as Kazakhstan’s new capital. “I think it is important to hold exhibitions in such regions, which are dynamic and play a significant peacekeeping role; the role of integration between different cultures, religions and political systems,” he concluded. So with the bid in place and a continued lobbying effort underway, Kazakhstan is hopeful that millions of new visitors will soon learn more about this dynamic and emerging nation. e

Kazakhstan would be an ideal location for an energy-focused expo because it is an emerging energy supplier and has made significant advances in the development of alternative energy

Young Kazakh shows her support for Astana’s EXPO 2017 bid

(The Astana Times Reporter Nurgul Alipinova also contributed to this story)

Vicente Gonzales Loscertales, BIE Secretary General (center), and other officials are greeted by Kazakh women in national dresses at the Astana EXPO 2017 stand at a BIE General Assembly in Paris in November 2011

Top: Minister for Economic Integration Zhanar Aitzhanova, at podium, addresses BIE Above: Youth greet the BIE delegation

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Kazakhstan

Sets Sail Around-the-World Trip Spreads Kazakh Culture By Colin Berlyne

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No one had ever before conceived of originating an around-the-world maritime expedition from the center of Eurasia Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and is located in the heart of the great Eurasian landmass. Since national independence, the country’s leaders have sought to make it a bridge linking cultures East and West, North and South. So it’s not surprising that the Kazakh Geographical Society would launch an international project to bring knowledge of Kazakhstan to the wider world. But few would have guessed they would use the ocean to do it. But when biker, adventurer and Kazakh Geographical Society President Dmitry Petrukhin realized no landlocked Eurasian nation had sponsored an around the world ocean passage before, that was good enough reason for him. “The uniqueness of the “Terra Vita (Living World)” project was that no one had ever before conceived of originating an around-the-world maritime expedition from the center of Eurasia,” he told EdgeKz Magazine. “Also, Kazakhstan organized the project entirely by itself without the help of foreign experts and investors.” Little did the organizers know, however, they would face more than just rough seas and that the trip would take more than five years to complete. The Terra Vita voyage began on September 25, 2007 at the port of Aktau on the Caspian Sea. The

Photos this page: Scenes from the around-the-world journey to spread Kazakh culture

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Trip organizer Dmitry Petrukhin, left, and crew celebrate their journey early route took the yacht Shokan Ualikhanov through the Volga-Don canal, Black and Mediterranean seas and then across the Atlantic to the Caribbean island of Barbados. “Everything went according to plan, but the outbreak of a protracted global economic crisis suddenly interrupted the voyage in August 2008,” Petrukhin said. “At that time, the yacht was in the port of Bas du Fort near the island of Guadeloupe. It was later transferred to the dock on the island of Antigua.” The dream of carrying out a complete three-year circumnavigation of the globe was forgotten and chances of reviving the project seemed slim. But Petrukhin won the support of Timur Kulibayev, the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Economic Chamber of Kazakhstan ‘Atemeken Union’. And in 2011, a different yacht was equipped and the dream was alive again. Petrukhin and his crew set sail again in the reconditioned yacht Shokan Ualikhanov and navigated through the Panama Canal to Ecuador. On September 25, 2011, the ship set sail from the port city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Then it crossed the Pacific Ocean, visiting the islands of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea. Next, the Shokan Ualikhanov

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explored the Philippines archipelago, sailed through the islands of Indonesia and on February 12, 2012 it reached the shores of Malaysia. “Wherever we went, we attracted a lot of publicity. In every port, it seemed the local media interviewed us and wrote about us,” he said. “And how could it be otherwise? Kazakhstan is far from the oceans and the seas, and there we were, the most unexpected band of sailors!” The crew stocked up ahead of time with a lot of souvenirs, books and films about Kazakhstan to inform those they met along the way. Petrukhin said he was guided by the philosophy that it is “Better to see once than hear a hundred times.” Along the Pacific archipelagoes, Petrukhin said, it was unlikely that many people had heard of Kazakhstan before the yacht came to port, “But in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh, we discovered that people already knew a lot about our country, thanks to the 2011 Asian Games that were held in Almaty and Astana.” In making their journey, the captain and crew of the Shokan Ualikhanov faced numerous challenges. The team, for ex-

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Photos from the journey

This life in the vast wilderness of the sea facing the unbridled power of the elements became the crew’s everyday experience ample, had to navigate the yacht around Borneo, Java and Sumatra. The Malacca Strait between Sumatra and Malaysia is one of the busiest waterways in the world and is filled with thousands of ships and fishing boats. “It was a difficult test, but our captain, Alexander Lavrinov and his crew passed it with flying colours,” Petrukhin recalled. But few around-the-world adventures can pass without some mishaps. On one occasion, police in Tahiti mistook the noise of a boisterous party on the yacht as indication of illegal drug activity. Their suspicions were unfounded, but the crew was forced to stay on the island for a week while it was all sorted out. Battling the elements on the long Pacific crossing was also quite difficult, he said. But “every time we reached new land or entered a new part of the ocean, we felt the rush of travelers experiencing new forces.” And the hardships bred camaraderie among the crew. “This strange, bracing life in the vast wilderness of the sea when six brave sailors remained alone facing the unbridled power of the elements became familiar to them every day.” The crew also found time to fish, study marine flora and fauna and acquaint themselves with the traditions and customs of the exotic lands they visited, Petrukhin said. But the crew always put its main goal first – to bring

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Kazakhstan’s message of peace and cooperation between different peoples and cultures to the lands they visited. “The people of distant countries, whenever they met Kazakh sailors first-hand, learned about our country with its rich, unique history, culture and traditions,” Petrukhin said. “They were reminded – and so were we – that the world is so big, beautiful and hospitable, and that different peoples can learn to appreciate this variety.” “A country that is open around the world, which demonstrates to the world its achievements, cannot but arouse a sense of respect and admiration in other nations,” he said. The circumnavigation had not finished at the time of publication. The expedition in spring would be visiting the island of Phuket off Thailand. Then it will cross the Andaman Sea to Sri Lanka. Finally, it will head to the port city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and finish the great adventure there. Abu Dhabi is on the same line of longitude as Aktau, so the circumnavigation will be complete. But, Petrukhin says, the mission’s goal of spreading Kazakh culture around the globe has already been a success. e

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Kazakh citizen and adventurer Dmitry Petrukhin has explored much of the world and met numerous leaders including Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov, top right

Kazakhstan’s Philosophical Adventurer Proposed route for Dmitry Petrukhin’s planned 2012 motorcycle journey

By Alex Walters

It’s impossible not to like Dmitry Petrukhin. The man is more than a personality – he’s a force of nature and a colorful unofficial ambassador for Kazakhstan who has forged new ties around the world for his country through his unique adventures. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s national independence, he organized a tour of Kazakhstan’s 20 largest cities by hundreds of bikers with rallies at each stop. He also launched a multi-year circumnavigation of the globe by a Kazakh yacht and handpicked the crew. Sailing around the world seemed an absurd fantasy for anyone from the world’s largest landlocked country. But the yacht is still sailing. And Petrukhin hopes to begin in July an around-the-world motorcycle journey to further spread the culture of Kazakhstan to the furthest reaches of the planet. Petrukhin, whose shaggy salt and pepper gray hair and tattooed arms present an imposing figure, was the popular host of the Terra Vita – Living World TV show. He is also the president

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and driving force behind the Central Asia Geographical Society and has been the president of the Kazakh Geographical Society. He is also a highly successful businessman and respected public figure, a father and a husband. But above all, Petrukhin is a free spirit. “Freedom is an interesting topic,” Petrukhin told EdgeKz. “People often ask me what it means for me. In my view, freedom is the expression of a series of actions that we are free to choose and implement. And the concept of a ‘free man’ is very important and seldom-understood.” “In general,” he continued, “the meaning of this expression lies somewhere very deep. In addition to personal freedom, the human individual needs to express freedom of movement, creativity, consciousness and will. In our time, we need to include the additional dimensions of economic and political freedom. All this makes it possible for people to select, plan, and thereby develop a sense of responsibility for their actions… I believe that this state is liberty,” Petrukhin said. The 55-year-old Almaty resident added that he believes one must strive for balance in practicing freedom. “One of the oldest proverbs says that every person is born with two invisible wings on their backs,” he told EdgeKz. “They are different. One wing helps the person soar upward; the other balances the individual where they are... so that they don’t fall lower.” “But often it turns out that the majority of people are able to manage only one wing well

in their lives. If that’s the wing that carries them upwards, then the person becomes divorced from the material world and becomes a hopeless dreamer,” Petrukhin said. “However, if they use only the wing that keeps them from falling, they never really took flight at all and they cannot soar above the vanities and petty issues of their lives.” But Petrukhin is no empty philosopher. He practices what he preaches and his accomplishments have been recognized by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev who honored Petrukhin with the Altyn Adam, Patriot of the Country, award. Petrukhin has won it twice. Despite his success, Petrukhin urges those who dream big to also reserve time for simple pleasures, “to relax, have a drink with friends, have fun, and take a walk in the open.” “Don’t be afraid to dream,” he concludes. “But always remember: be responsible in your dreams. For dreams come true.” e

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Space Bound

Kazakhstan Looks to the

Next Frontier By Colin Berlyne

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Above and opposite: Scenes of space exploration

Kazakhstan’s relationship with space began in the 1950s with the Soviet Union’s construction of the world’s first space launch facility

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Kazakhstan is the land of exploration and explorers. Its vast Asian steppe served for centuries as a hub along the Silk Road on which caravans of traders set out to seek new trade. Roaming nomadic tribes from the ancient steppe are also now scientifically proven to be the first to domesticate the horse for use by man. The tribes then used the animal to explore previously unknown territories of the vast grassland sea. So it’s fitting that Kazakhstan isn’t content to simply facilitate the exploration of others, but is training its own explorers to once again head into the great unknown. Kazakhstan’s relationship with space began years ago with the construction in the 1950s by the Soviet Union of what was then the world’s first space launch facility and what remains today the planet’s largest and most active space launching center. The center is known as the Baikonur Cosmodrome and it was built roughly 125 miles into Kazakhstan’s desert steppe. The first human being in space, Yuri Gagarin was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in April 1961. He was followed two years later by Valentina Tereshkova who was also launched from Baikonur and became the first woman in space. And today, with the retirement of the Unites States Space Shuttle Program, Baikonur remains the only launch site used to send men and machines to the International Space Station.

With that history, it’s no surprise that Kazakhstan is training its own citizens to head into space, Kazakh Cosmonaut and graduate of Kazakhstan’s cosmonaut training program Aidyn Aimbetov told EdgeKz Magazine. Aimbetov is among the select few Kazakhs who have been chosen for and who have completed the mentally and physically challenging program. “Our space training is intended to give the cosmonaut candidate knowledge, skills, abilities and qualities that form the basis of becoming a professional astronaut. During this training, would-be astronauts form a deep and lasting knowledge of the sciences that form the basis of space,” he said. Program participants must also master elements such as the theory of flight, managing control systems, space navigation basics, and the elements of the launch vehicles and facilities themselves. The potential cosmonauts also learn how to train the crews that will accompany them into space. Candidates practice on-land simulations of the various tasks they would perform in space, including emergency situations. They also perform on the ground the scientific experiments they would be carrying out in space. But, Aimbetov says, the training goes far beyond just how to navigate a craft and eat while floating in a capsule. Astronauts are on their own in space so

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Kazakhstan’s history is rooted in exploration. So it’s fitting that the country is training modern explorers to head into the great unknown

they must have training across a broad spectrum of subjects, both practical and esoteric. “It starts with space navigation and finishes with medicine. After all, you can’t call an ambulance in space,” he said, adding that it took him roughly six years to complete all of his training. Physical training is also important and geared toward working in a weightless environment. “For the cosmonauts there are many ways to be physically challenged,” he said. “But the most important (conditioning element necessary) to work in gravity free environments is cardiovascular system conditioning.” Development of Kazakhstan’s cosmonaut program, Aimbetov says, is key to the country’s future not only in terms of economic development but also scientific advancement. “The flight of a Kazakh cosmonaut and the implementation of a scientific program will produce scientific research... geared toward the development of new equipment and technology at an absolutely new level,” he said, adding that Kazakh space flights could also help spur investment in Kazakhstan’s broader space program. Kazakhstan sent its first cosmonaut, Tokhtar Aubakirov, into space in 1991, but the country’s established space program remains in its infancy and any graduates of the current cosmonaut program will have to

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catch rides on other countries’ missions for a long time, the Chairman of the Kazakhstan National Space Agency, Talgat Mussabayev, said in December. Mussabayev, who flew into space himself several times with Russian missions to the ISS, made his comments while meeting with U.S. National Air and Space Association (NASA) officials about getting a Kazakh cosmonaut aboard a U.S. mission. Kazakhstan has no plans to launch its own manned craft into space and it could be decades before it is ready to do so, Mussabayev said, adding that only Russia, the U.S. and China can currently afford to fund manned spacecraft. But Kazakhstan is taking what steps it can. Also in December, the Kazakhstan government passed legislation making it easier for the government to choose candidates for flights and providing more control over the use of country’s space facilities. Aimbetov has not yet been on a space mission, but was trained to repair the systems of the International Space Station and of the craft that carry astronauts to and from the station. But, he says, he has wanted to go into space ever since a single night as a child when he saw a shooting star flare across the sky. And though Aimbetov hasn’t gotten there yet, Kazakhstan is working to make it easier for the country’s next generation of adventurers to explore the vast Steppe in the sky.e

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Kazakh Cosmonaut Chases

Dream of Space Exploration By Michael Jacobsen

Kazakh Cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov

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Some children want to grow up to be firemen or architects or even the president. Not Aidyn Aimbetov. He knew from the earliest age that what he wanted to do when he grew up was go into space. In fact the 39-year old graduate of Kazakhstan’s cosmonaut training program remembers the very day when he decided he wanted to be an astronaut. “One summer night, I was lying in the newlymowed grass with my parents looking up at the starry sky. It was wonderful and bewitching and beautiful. But suddenly the dark night sky was pierced by a fiery arrow,” Aimbetov told EdgeKz. “My father told me that it was a racing car (hurling across the sky). He also told me that space conceals many riddles and secrets, and some of them we still have to solve. Since then, I have dreamed of traveling into space.” In a country with a long history related to space exploration, Aimbetov’s dream was and is not impossible. Kazakhstan is home to the world’s largest and most active space launch center, Baikonur, and it was the site of the launching of the first man into space in April 1961. Aimbetov was born under the Soviet Union, but Kazakhstan gained its independence from Russia in 1991 and has since been developing its own space program. Seizing that opportunity, Aimbetov says he geared his entire life toward becoming a Kazakh cosmonaut. “Since childhood, I participated in sports so I would be physically fit. I made sure my school grades were perfect and after graduating, I entered the military aviation academy because, at that time to become a cosmonaut, military pilots of (warstyle) aircraft had the best chance,” he said. And all that effort paid off in 2003 when Aimbetov was accepted into Kazakhstan’s cos-

monaut training program. It took six years of academic and physical training to graduate. Aimbetov received broad academic training in the sciences as well as direct training in space navigation and spacecraft systems. He practiced conducting the type of scientific experiences he might complete in space and underwent continual physical training to prepare for space’s weightless environment. Replicas of parts of the International Space Station were also produced on the ground to allow Aimbetov and others to prepare for life aboard the station. In 2009, he graduated from the program as a cosmonaut trained to repair highly specialized equipment aboard the space station, as well as the spacecraft that transport cosmonauts to the station. Kazakhstan’s space program remains in its infancy and only a few countries are able to afford sending their own manned spacecraft into orbit. So Kazakh astronauts must wait their turn to catch a ride on the missions of Russia, the Unites States or China. Aimbetov is still waiting his turn. But in the meantime, he says he would like to encourage today’s young people to have the same feeling he did all those years ago. “Many children want to become cosmonauts, but right now it’s not fashionable. It seems like an old fashion or romantic dream,” he said. So Aimbetov plans to teach and organize competitions to encourage young people. And Aimbetov’s own personal childhood dream of unraveling space’s secrets remains alive to this day. “I hope that the honor will fall to me to execute Kazakhstan’s scientific space program aboard the International Space Station. And a flight to the Moon or Mars doesn’t sound as extreme as it did ten years ago. It is quite possible that after twenty years there will be a lunar laboratory under construction on the Moon and mankind will already be investigating the secrets of the planets of the solar system.” e

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Building Business Culture: Kazakhstan’s Independent Generation By Colin Berlyne After three quarters of a century under the confines of Soviet rule, Kazakhstan has created a thriving business and entrepreneurial environment in its 20 years of national independence. And the first generation of Kazakhs to come of age in that environment is seizing the opportunity to start their own companies and create their own capitalist culture.

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“Our generation is definitely different from our parents’ generation,” 37-year-old labor immigration law consultant Askhat Soltanov, who heads the EFG Group, told EdgeKz. “We caught the early years of independence which came when we were only seven or eight years old. And that is just at the age when a person begins to form their notions about the world.”

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36 Soltanov said independence has replaced the stagnation of the Soviet era with a more dynamic culture. “It would seem that the eternal value of stability changed to a new value – continuous movement. And it is our generation’s adaptation to these new conditions and values that distinguishes us from our parents.” Young business woman Yuliana Nurumbetova, 29, whose company provides translation services and assists with a host of logistics for foreign firms, agrees with that assessment. “I believe we are more mobile,” she told EdgeKz. “We are less connected to material things. However, we are more ambitious and oriented towards realizing our full potential.” Twenty-seven-year-old business and marketing consultant Batyrbek Aubakirov goes even further saying his generation barely identifies with the old system. “I think that we – the first generation of independent Kazakhs – are more oriented to the West than our parents,” Aubakirov said. “For us, the inhabitants of the former Soviet Union are more foreigners than Germans, the French or Americans. For our parents, Moscow, Minsk and Kiev are part of their history, but they are not part of ours. For example, I consider Germany, not Russia or some other former Soviet republic, as my second home.” And that new freedom and perspective, says Nurumbetova, has created an environment in Kazakhstan right now that is ripe for the launching of new businesses. “The business environment in Kazakhstan is very competitive and offers a lot of potential,” she said. “It’s not difficult to start a business. The difficult part is to keep things going and to grow.” Over the next few pages you’ll find the stories of young Kazakh business people who are realizing that potential and creating a new entrepreneurial culture in Kazakhstan.

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Business consultant Batyrbek Aubakirov

Business Consultant Comes a Long Way Batyrbek Aubakirov was born a few years before the breakup of the Soviet Union in the small village of Zerenda in the Akmola region of northern Kazakhstan. But today, at only 27, he is the CEO of his own Astanabased business consulting company. The firm, Inno, provides services in business training and personnel, market research and general business consulting. It also helps European companies ensure their products’ packages carry the proper messaging for sales in Kazakhstan. Aubakirov credits his success to his parents’ emphasis on education, which was not always easy to get, he said. “My parents divorced when I was two years, but my mother was always passionate about my education,” he told EdgeKz. “It was a very difficult time because of the collapse of the Soviet Union when I was a small boy. But at school, I studied diligently.” He graduated high school in 2002 with grades good enough to continue on to Eurasian National University. But, he says, it was a struggle to pay the bills necessary to attend. But he worked hard, paid his bills and was able to study economics and business management. Aubakirov also joined the university’s debating team where he “learned to quickly find information and analyze it,” he said. After college he got a job with an IT development firm. It was a good job and a good salary for a young graduate, but Aubakirov realized he wanted financial independence. So after gaining business experience with the firm, he struck out on his own. “My first success in business came with winning a state order for the training of specialists,” he said. “The amount was not big, but I liked winning and I found that I enjoyed organizing the training program.” Among the keys to success Aubakirov has discovered in his young career are keeping one’s promises and working toward compromise. “I appreciate in people the ability to keep their word, to do quality work and deliver it on time,” he said. “And I believe that my greatest skill is an ability to negotiate and build communication.” He added that in Kazakhstan’s new business environment, it is also important to find niche markets and to join forces with other businessminded people to accomplish goals. “The future of the business culture in Kazakhstan is very promising,” said Aubakirov, who also serves as executive director of the Packers Association of Kazakhstan. “It will be a very interesting environment for businesses.”

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Business Woman Translates Need Into Success Attractive, smart and bursting with energy, Yuliana Nurumbetova is representative of the internationalism Kazakhstan has embraced to become a business hub at the heart of Eurasia. Nurumbetova is a translator who has found success with her own company, A-Z Solutions. The company offers foreign companies and individuals written and verbal translation services as well as assistance with conference organization, transportation, logistics and legal services, she told EdgeKz. “We offer high quality solutions to the most demanding clients employing the best professionals available who have proven their expertise,” she said. Businesswoman Yuliana Nurumbetova Nurumbetova was drawn to the study of languages because “to become a really good interpreter, one needs to have a sharp mind and quick reactions,” she said. But Nurumbetova realized that she would need more than language skills to succeed in business, so she also completed a degree in finance management. She decided to open her own business after realizing working for others was not satisfying. “(I realized my own business) would be more challenging for me than an office environment. After spending a few years in Moscow working for different businesses, I found it difficult to find a satisfying job in Astana upon my return. I also wanted to have more freedom and flexibility in my work.” Nurumbetova says she admires businessmen who think out of the box and follow a unique path to success. “My business is still small. However, I work with a few big companies. It is very encouraging for me as a person who has just started a business,” she said. “I learned that if you serve people professionally, they will come back and recommend you.” Nurumbetova believes that Kazakhstan offers a lot of opportunities right now and that other young entrepreneurs shouldn’t be afraid to launch their own businesses. “It does not matter what kind of business you do or where. What matters is your vision for it,” she said. “It is crucial to try. You can either succeed or fail. But you will never know until you try. Just go for it!”

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Miner’s Son Masters Labour Law Askhat Soltanov is an example of the upward mobility that business success in modern Kazakhstan can afford. Soltanov is the son of a miner who has risen to take on the complex world of labour relations and business law. Soltanov is the owner of EFG Group, which helps international corporations bring in foreign experts and employ them in Kazakhstan. The company also organizes seminars to educate foreign invesBusinessman tors and executives on Kazakhstan’s laws, Askhat Soltanov, standing legal system and government structure, as well as to familiarize them with the way Kazakhstan’s major private and publically-owned corporations operate. Like many of Kazakhstan’s new business people, Soltanov choose the field because he realized it was a niche that needed to be filled. “We know that such processes in our country are complicated by a number of different procedures due to the need to protect the interests of local unemployed people,” he said. “We have done well and recently expanded the type of services we provide.” The company has recently started using video production to diversify the tools it uses to educate foreign companies. “This is what we love producing and the demand is growing for this type of material,” Soltanov said. “We are expanding rapidly and we’ve just had to restructure our operations to keep up with the growing volume of business.” After graduation from the Eurasian National University where he specialized in international law, Soltanov says he knew that he did not want to work in the public sector. “Finishing university, I clearly understood that I was going to build my career in the private sphere,” Soltanov said. “I thought long and hard about what I was going to do. I spent a year preparing for it. Then I got off to a very good start. I got several major contracts that launched my company very quickly.” Soltanov says that though he grew up the son of a miner, education was always emphasized in his household and that education has been the key to his success. Soltanov lists the late Steve Jobs of Apple and Richard Branson of Virgin as his primary business models. And like those two men, Soltanov says, to succeed in business in Kazakhstan you have to have passion. “You’ve got to love what you do,” he said. “You’ve got to want to jump out of bed in the morning to get to work.”

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Kazakh Climber Scales World’s

Highest Peaks Completes One of 2011’s

Greatest Climbs By Alex Walters Kazakh climber Denis Urubko had faced the great peak of Gasherbrum II in the Karakorum Range of the Himalayas before. But Kazakhstan’s greatest climber had never faced it as he did in 2011. It was then that Urubko, and two other climbers, American Cory Richards and Italian Simone Moro, completed the first winter ascent of the Gasherbrum II peak, the world’s 13th highest mountain. The scaling of the 8,035 metre (26,362 foot) peak under winter conditions is considered one of 2011’s greatest mountaineering accomplishments. It was chronicled in international climbing magazines and was the subject of the award winning documentary, Cold. It was also the first time an American, Urubko’s

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climbing partner Richards, had scaled a peak higher than 8,000 metres during winter. “Life without goals and risk is empty. It’s just something inside of my heart that pushes me to take my next steps,” Urubko told EdgeKz of his reasons for attempting such climbs. “If you ask a painter why he continues to (challenge himself) he would say, ‘because of a desire to discover something new in his soul’.” Urubko remembers, however, the doubts that crept into his mind attempting such a dangerous climb. “I felt different emotions from full despair to crazy rapture,” he wrote of the experience. But Urubko and his companions persevered and just before the summit, Urubko realized he had made it. “When I reached the highest point, I lifted my hands to the sun,” he wrote. “I waited a second, laughing. And the thought appeared like an incredible ice crystal, like blue frozen lightning: That’s all. I’m here.”

Kazakh Climber Denis Urubko, left and opposite, has scaled many of the world’s highest peaks

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Photos these pages: Kazakh climber Denis Urubko

But the adventure was not over once they reached the summit. On the way down, the group ran into a massive storm with hurricane force winds and was caught in an avalanche which nearly killed them. “We were walking underneath Gasherbrum V and a massive, massive avalanche hit us, all three of us, and knocked us about 150 meters... Simone was able to get out of the snow and come dig us out... We are all very happy and lucky and I think very grateful to be alive,” Urubko’s climbing partner Richards told The North Face Journal. But the experience was far from the first time the internationally renowned Kazakh climber has faced danger. In 2009, Urubko became only the 15th person in history to ascend the 14 mountains of the world that soar above 8,000 metres. And in 2009, he beat all-comers in the Elbrus Speed Climbing competition finishing almost 40 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Today, he is internationally renowned and sponsored by such giants of the climbing world as The North Face, CAMP and Acerbis. Urubko was born in 1973 into the former Soviet Union in the mountainous region of the North Caucasus of Russia, between the Black and Caspian seas. But he did not seem at first likely to become a master climber as he suffered severe childhood asthma. “My parents made the decision to move to a different region (because of my illness) and relocated to the far east of Russia,” Urubko told EdgeKz. “Maybe it saved my life, but there were low mountains, not more than 1,010 m high. And

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my young crazy soul was looking for adventures.” And he found those adventures in Kazakhstan. So he moved to the country, served in its army and continued to climb the region’s highest mountains. At the age of only 26, in 1999, Urubko broke through onto the world scene. In the Snow Leopard Project of 1999, he successfully climbed all five of the 7,000-metre (almost 23,000 feet) or higher peaks of the former Soviet Union in only 42 days. It was an achievement that put him in a class by himself among climbers in Kazakhstan. And he became a symbol of what the newly independent country could achieve. Since then his career has continued to soar. He has earned the coveted ‘Himalayan Crown’ by conquering each of the fourteen 8,000 metre (26,246 feet) summits of the world without oxygen. Urubko has also earned a reputation for pioneering never-beforeclimbed routes at extremely high altitudes. His triumphs in this field include a route up the South Col of Everest in 2010. In February 2009, Urubko and his long-time climbing partner, Moro, also completed the first winter ascent of Makalu, which is 8,463 metres (27,766 feet) high and located between the Chinese and Nepal borders. Urubko made the ascent without using sherpas, or porters. The feat was praised as a true test of human endurance. But Urubko is not just concerned with winning or getting to the top. He has also earned a reputation as a selfless climber who has sacrificed summits to help other climbers in trouble. Urubko, however, is modest about the help he has given others.

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In 2009, Urubko became only the 15th person in history to ascend the 14 mountains of the world that soar above 8,000 metres.

“Ok, so I’ve helped (other climbers)... But it’s a duty for a normal man in life,” he told EdgeKz. “If tomorrow something happened on the street to somebody, you have to help him. So of course, for me also there is no doubt about helping (someone) in the mountains.” Urubko, who has a wife and children, is vividly aware of the dangers he continues to face and has been affected by the deaths of fellow mountaineers over the last year. “I do not know how to explain that, how it happens,” he wrote. “But I do know that in all acts there is a share of faults by each of us – including me.” But Urubko plans to continue climbing. And through his selfless nature and mountaineering accomplishments, he has become one of Kazakhstan’s most unique sports ambassadors. “It is important that these (Kazakh) mountains are very close to me as a home and as a school. And my soul still seeks to soar here, above the Tian-Shan peaks.” e

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ENERGY of CREATION

The main activities of the company are:

Geological exploration Uranium production Manufacture of nuclear fuel cycle products The electric energy sector

Production of construction materials

Social welfare

Training of personnel

Reactor construction, nuclear power plants Scientific support of production

National Atomic Company “Kazatomprom” JSC Republic of Kazakhstan, 168, Bogenbay Batyr St., Almaty 050012 F: Ò:

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Hockey in Kazakhstan: Passion & By Michael Jacobsen and Colin Berlyne

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Success

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Hockey took a leap forward in Kazakhstan when the country gained its independence in 1991

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There’s something about being a huge, continental-sized country with long, cold winters that creates a passion for ice-hockey. It happened in Canada, the United States and Russia – and Kazakhstan is no exception. “The kids see us and want to be like us,” professional hockey player and Kazakhstan National Team member Talgat Zhailauov, 26, told EdgeKz Magazine. “Hockey is one of the best games in the world.” That passion will be on display in May 2012 when Kazakhstan’s national team will face some of the world’s toughest competition in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship May 4 through 20 in Finland and Sweden. Fresh off the country’s dominance and ultimate triumph at the 2010 Asian Winter Games on its home ice in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh team has – for good or bad – been placed in one of the championship’s most elite brackets. They will have to face the likes of Canada, the United States and 2011 World Champion Finland if they hope to advance. But the love for hockey runs deep in Kazakhstan and miracles do happen. “They are playing for each other,” Kazakhstan National Team Head Coach Andrey Shayanov told EdgeKz of Kazakhstan’s small, elite group of players. “It is like they are coming home when they play for the national team.” It’s not surprising that Kazakhs have a passion for the game as Astana, the capital, is the second coldest

capital in the world behind Ulaan-Baatar in Mongolia. So there’s plenty of time to practice and the country also has a long history of success. Among the first stars of Kazakhstan was Boris Alexandrov who won gold in February 1976 as a member of the Soviet team at the Winter Olympics at Innsbruck, Austria. In autumn 1976, he also played for the Soviet national team in the Canada Cup. That success took a leap forward more recently when Kazakhstan gained national independence at the end of 1991. For the first time, Kazakhstan could field its own national team in the global arena. The new team debuted in April 1992 in the Grand Prix tournament held in St. Petersburg in Russia. The following month, the Ice Hockey Federation of Kazakhstan became a full member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHC) and that August, the country held its first independent national championship. International success soon followed. In January 1995, Kazakhstan won the Asian Cup, and the following year it won the Asian Games championship held in Harbin, China. In February 1995, the country’s student team won the World Student Games in the Spanish city of Jaca, beating Teams Czech Republic and Russia. Another high point came at the Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan in 1998, when the national team reached the quarter finals – making them among the eight best teams in the world. On March 6, 2001 the game in Kazakhstan also received a major boost when the new Kazakhstan Palace of Sports opened in Astana. And in spring 2003,

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Kazakhstan’s men’s and women’s teams both won gold at the 7th Asian Winter Games in 2011

Kazakhstan’s national team won a World Championship division in Budapest confirming its emergence as a team to be reckoned with in international competition. In January 2008, a Kazakh team took bronze at the Continental Cup in Europe and a Kazakh women’s team took third place in the Cup of European Champions. In recent years, the game’s position in Kazakhstan was also strengthened with the launching of the Continental Hockey League across the former Soviet republics of Eurasia. In April 2009, the Kazakhstan national team accomplished a major feat when it won all its matches in the World Championship 1st Battalion division in Vilnius, Lithuania. But one of its greatest and most recent triumphs came in 2011 at the 7th Winter Asian Games. The games were held in January and February in Astana and Almaty and the men’s team won the gold medal and the title of Asian Games champions. The women’s national team of Kazakhstan also won gold. Only two months later in April 2011, came more triumphs. At the World Championships (division I group B), held in Kiyv, Ukraine, Kazakhstan’s men’s team won another gold medal and the right to return to the top division of the world championship. All of that success has led to Kazakhstan being placed among the world’s elite teams for the May IIHF world championships. And it has strengthened the desire of the next generation of Kazakhs to play the game. “It’s developing,” said coach Shayanov, 43, who has been coaching for more than 20 years. “In the last few years they have been creating better facilities for kids.” That wasn’t the case when national player Zhailauov was a kid. Growing up in east Kazakhstan, then under Soviet control, there weren’t many facilities available, so Zhailauov and his friends would spray water and try to create little ice hockey rinks in the street or wherever they could find.

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When Zhailauov was eight years old, a friend asked him to join a school that had hockey facilities. Instantly, he knew the game was for him. “I liked the skating, I liked the speed, I liked the fighting,” he said, adding that he still likes to drop the gloves against other players on the ice. Just seven years after first picking up a stick, at the unusually young age of 15, he turned pro. And just two years after that, in 2003, he joined the national team. The place where Zhailauov and the rest of the national team train now is no frozen puddle in the street. Entering the facility about 35 minutes outside of Astana that the hockey team shares with other national sports is like stepping into a luxury hotel. The lobby is filled with plush seats and flat screen televisions and it even has the ubiquitous hotel-like line of clocks behind the reception desk showing the time for cities around the world. The training complex itself is also impressive with a weight training area, Olympic-sized pool and other general fitness facilities in addition to the team’s ice hockey rink. The increased development and focus on hockey has paid off. The country is now ranked 16 in the world and Kazakhstan’s Ice Hockey Federation lists 4,716 registered players, an impressive number for a country with a population of only 16.5 million. Some of its players have even made it to the renowned United States-based National Hockey League (NHL), including east Kazakhstan native Nik Antropov, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets. But the pool of the country’s elite, world-class level players remains small, says National Team Coach Shayanov. And it will be a great challenge to beat the likes of Canada and world champs Finland. “The world championships are where you see the best players in the world,” said Shayanov. “And our program has been created to win.” e

Above: National Team players with Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov, center. Youth League players, left. Below: National Team Head Coach Andrey Shayanov, top, and national team player Talgat Zhailauov

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VELe THE A TR

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OVERED SC

By Michelle Witte

OR UND I EF

Kazakhstan

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Big Almaty Lake

ith Google, Bing and all the information in the world just an LED screen away, undiscovered adventure have become increasingly hard to find. Hanging out in Prague was passé by 1993. Everyone has already hiked Machu Picchu and you backpacked around Asia years ago after graduating college. So where is the next place you can go to find adventure that everyone hasn’t already been? Kazakhstan. Mention Kazakhstan at most parties and you’ll get only the vaguest glimmer of recognition from most of your friends. They’ve likely heard of the place, but know almost nothing about it. Quiz them on its location and somehow the world’s ninth largest country disappears from the map. But Kazakhstan is now emerging as a global player after just a couple of decades of independence from the former Soviet Union. And despite the letters “Stan” at the end of its name, Kazakhstan has nothing in common with the volatility and troubles of some of the world’s other “Stans.” It is a religiously and ethnically diverse country that embraces tolerance as a cultural value. It has a vast array of natural re-

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sources that drive a strong and expanding economy and it enjoys a peace and stability that few other countries in the region can claim. In other words, it is one of the planet’s truly undiscovered gems for the adventurous traveller. From the history of the yurt-living nomads across the vast Asia steppe, to the futuristic architecture of its new capital city to the prehistoric inscriptions carved into its rocks, Kazakhstan has much to explore. You can hike its nature reserves, heli-ski its mountain peaks and rock its nightclubs. It has sandy beaches on the Caspian Sea, ancient shrines in its south and vibrant urban life to the north. And the place is still affordable for adventurers with small independent hotels and mom-andpop restaurants who welcome new visitors with open arms. And you’ll like being the first in your neighborhood to have been here. The following is a region-by-region breakdown of what the adventurous traveller will find if they come to a country relatively few have visited. So grab your backpack, your sense of discovery and see for yourself what you have only heard about.

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Almaty

Almaty, the old capital, is still the country’s biggest city and cultural heart. Ease into the food, drink, and customs of modern Kazakhstan here.

Take a Bite

S DI

Dive into Kazakh food at the Zelyony Bazar. Check out horse meat butchers, try kumys or shubat (fermented mare’s and camel’s milk) or have tea or coffee and a bowl of laghman (a thick, vinegary soup of onions, garlic, peppers, and usually lamb or goat, plus chewy hand-pulled noodles) at one of the market cafes. And look for street side vendors standing beside large cauldrons – they’re probably cooking plov, a tasty mixture of rice, apricots, lamb, and spices.

Drink with Locals Vodka may be king, but beer is making headway here in the form of pubs like little Shtab, a place to properly worship local and international suds. Bar Pivaltsa is another proper pub in which you’ll be more likely to clink glasses with locals than expats.

Drink with Expats For a bit more English, ease into the evening at expat favorite Soho. There’s live music in the evenings and no cover on weekdays. It’s an expat friendly scene. If you just have to have the comforts of home, head to one of the ubiquitous global Irish pubs such as Mad Murphy’s, Guinness Pub and Dublin Pub.

Pick Up Speed Feel the (freezing) wind in your hair at Shymbulak Ski Resort. Day passes are $40 dollars on weekdays and $44 dollars on weekends, with deals for students and retirees. There are slopes for all levels and some English-speaking instructors. Nearby is the Medeu Ice Rink, which was built for speed skating and is used by nearby top skaters to practice their skills. Rent skates or get some drinks and watch. Be warned: these facilities are at high altitudes and can get very cold. http://www.shymbulak.com/en/

Find Your Bloodlust For centuries, Kazakh nomads hunted with trained eagles and other birds of prey. Some of these birds can take out wolves, and were regularly used to do so not so long ago. You can see hunting traditions in action at the Sunkar Raptor Sanctuary near Almaty, and you can arrange guided hunting trips in many parts of the country. http://welcometokazakhstan.com/en/ tours/2011-01-31-12-00-24 http://www.silkroadadventures.net/en/ Kazakhstan/1Tours/1Tours-11-2.html http://www.eng.artesru.ru/kazax

Moves Like Jagger

Chimbulak Ski Resort Medeu Ice Rink

Almaty has a big nightclub scene. Many of the bigger clubs have a roughly $15 dollar cover charge to shake your booty to a DJ. But often foreigners are given a pass. So make sure to stammer a couple of words of broken Kazakh or Russian and you’ll likely save a few bucks. And dress well as most clubs have dress codes. Pionerskaya Pravda does Soviet chic for the current generation of Kazakhs who have grown up in an independent Kazakhstan. Most Club will take you back to the 1980s and 1990s. It’s always worth checking to see who’s playing at Da Freak, which attracts DJs from Russia, Europe, and the UK.

Mad Murphy’s Pub

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The south eastern corner of Kazakhstan has some of the country’s most striking natural wonders.

Get High Call it “Blood Mountain” or “Lord of the Skies”– or more likely both, – if you dare attempt Kazakhstan’s highest peak, Khan Tengri. The mountain, part of the Tien Shan range, is renowned among climbers for its beauty – glowing a deep red during summer sunsets. It’s also one of the two northernmost 7,000 meter peaks, which shortens the climbing season to about a month at the end of summer. This peak isn’t for the faint of heart – climbers have been killed in a few deadly avalanches over the past few decades. But for the bold, there are several expedition companies that organize trips of around three weeks and cost around $1300 to $3900 dollars. There are, of course, also plenty of less death-defying adventures to be had in the Tien Shan: trekking, horseback-riding, hiking and other options abound.) http://www.adventurepeaks.com/expeditions/khan.htm http://www.adventuretravel.ru/travels/eng/climbing/ khan2.htm http://www.kantengri.kz/index1.html

Read the signs South eastern Kazakhstan is sprinkled with petroglyphs – prehistoric drawings and carvings inscribed in rock. The most famous are within the Tamgaly Tas, a canyon formed by the Ili River. The white pictures carved into the red rock date from the Bronze Age onward. Among the petroglyphs are Buddhist prayers in Sanskrit, pictures, tamgas (family songs), and images of various idols. The images are a prehistoric reminder of the diversity of cultures within these borders.

Ancient petroglyphs

The Old South

Ancient cultures are both preserved and alive in this region. See Silk Road cities, star-crossed lovers, and find the home of the tulip.

Taraz 2000-year-old Taraz is famous for a love story. Among its antiquities is the 12th century mausoleum of Aisha-Bibi, who, legend has it, lost her life while disobeying her father to go and meet her fiancée. The light, lovely mausoleum outside of the town commemorates her. Local women come here to pray for happy families and newlyweds seek blessings. Other mausoleums in the town date from the 11th century onward. Taraz’s Green Bazaar shows that the old Silk Road is still alive, with goods on sale from all points on the map.

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The Wild Southeast

Khan Tengri

Mausoleum of Khodja Ahmed Yassawi

Tian Shan Mountains

Turkestan One of this country’s most important religious sites and one of its greatest historical architectural feats is the 14th century Mausoleum of Khodja Ahmed Yassawi in Turkestan. The beautifully and brightly detailed mausoleum was commissioned by the Mongolian conqueror Tamerlane for the Sufi saint who was credited with converting many Kazakhs to Islam. The shrine is a major site of pilgrimage for Central Asian Muslims.

Homestays and National Parks The Aksu-Zhabagly State Natural Reserve and the Sayram-Ugam State National Park contain some of Kazakhstan’s most diverse terrain: tulip- and wildflower- covered valleys; forests that support lots of native wildlife, including raptors and bears; deep gorges and peaks. The parks require entrance fees and it’s best to sort accommodation out before you arrive. Several organizations organize homestays and guides, including a chance to stay in a yurt – the traditional style felt home of the early Steppe inhabitants. The Ecotourism Information Resource Center (EIRC, http://www.eco-tourism.kz) and Wild Nature (www. wildnature-kz.narod.ru) are two that can help.

Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum

Green Bazaar

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R U N

SCOVERE DI

The Deep West

Caspian Sea

It is here that you’ll find the big industrial moneymakers. Oil, gas, and mining were and are major industries here. Aktobe, Uralsk, Atyrau, and Aktau are to some degree or another industry towns. And given the money to be made there, they have attracted a healthy number of travelling business people. So you’ll be able to find yourself a good number of places to eat, drink, and sleep. Near Aktau you can also explore a wealth of sandy and more rugged Caspian beaches.

Open Space

Ustyurt Reserve

Drink Like A Local: Tea often marks the beginning and ending of social occasions. If you’re offered tea in someone’s house, it would be rude not to accept. The traditional Kazakh way of drinking tea uses a widemouthed cup filled halfway or less. The tea should stay hot, you see, and the pouring and passing of cups ensures social interaction. For something stronger: Vodka is part of many gatherings, formal and informal. It’s traditional to toast before taking a shot – not a sip – so don’t down yours before your hosts can drink to your health. Getting Around: Kazakhstan is huge and getting around it takes time – many large cities are 15-22 hours apart by car. Buses and trains take about the same amount of time, but you’re much more likely to have a chance for chat and interaction on a train. If you don’t want to fly between cities, take a train ride and perhaps make a new friend. Tickets are sometimes cheaper at the stations than through agencies for smaller trips.

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The expanses of the Mangistau region hide treasures–literally. The harsh landscape is filled with underground mosques and burial chambers. One of the most interesting, Shakpak-Ata, is thought to be from the 10th century, carved into a cliff and decorated with inscriptions and pictures; many others date back to nomadic times. The huge necropolises and other religious and funeral structures of this region still aren’t fully excavated or understood. There are natural treasures here, too, like Kazakhstan’s lowest point, the Karagiye Depression (Black mouth) and Karakol lake (Black lake), which draws birds passing through the dry area. There are sweeping desert views and surprising hidden plants. The relative lack of infrastructure means that some reserves in this area, like the Ustyurt Reserve, are Kazakhstan’s bestpreserved areas. For this reason, plan trips out here carefully – hire a guide and a good vehicle. It’s very big, very dry, and very easy to get lost in these wastelands.

Ride with Friends: The bigger cities have good bus systems, with some offering English route maps (www.astana.kz). If you miss the bus, you can just stick out your hand – its custom for regular Kazakhs who want to earn a few tenge to be unofficial cabbies. You’ll need to negotiate a price first, which usually comes to a few dollars. On main roads between towns, you’re likely to find someone going your way. Just make sure you know how to communicate where you need to go as few drivers will likely speak English. Be Prepared: We know adventure travel is often best experienced solo and by the seat of your pants. But outside the cities, Kazakhstan is pretty new to tourism. And going places not many visitors have been to before means travelling through small towns where accommodation – and English – can be limited. In a country with the extremes of terrain, temperature, and weather experienced in Kazakhstan, it’s not nice to be caught without shelter, a map, or a meal. So in rural areas, make use of the Ecotourism Information Resource Centre (EIRC, www.ecotourism.kz). It’s been made just for this.

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Astana, the new capital, is directing the process of forging a strong national identity from Kazakhstan’s many cultures. It’s also keen to put itself on the map, taking a leading role in regional and international affairs and dotting its skyline with interesting, innovative modern architecture at an intense pace.

Pyramids and Petals Astana has a number of new, ambitious and defining buildings. The huge pyramid called the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is intended to promote peace and religious understanding and contains space inside showcasing an array of world religions, a library, a museum of culture, and a research centre. Astana’s Central Concert Hall’s curved outer shapes of different heights and lengths are meant to invoke petals. Then there’s the Baiterek Monument, a visual representation of a Kazakh legend about a mythical bird Samruk whose egg contains all the secrets of human happiness. Atemeken Map

complex is a great spot to people watch the locals and get a sense of the country’s mix of the old and new. For true history buffs who want to get a sense of more recent Kazakh history, there is the unique Antiqvariat shop. This tiny store is half shop and half museum filled with Russian and Kazakh artefacts from the last couple hundred years. If you dig rare, hard-tofind Soviet memorabilia, there are few better places to find it than Antiqvariat.

Khan-Shatyr

Chilly Flamingos The world’s northernmost flamingo colony makes its summer home at the Korgalzhyn nature reserve. Stay a few days to watch them and the other migratory birds that stop here from April through the summer. Homestays can be arranged through the EIRC or other agencies.

Repairing the Damage The pre-independence Soviet era was hard on the Kazakh and regional environment. And Kazakhstan’s north and northeast were the sites of some famous ecological disasters. For a little eco-history lesson you can visit the Karaganda Ecological Museum. Run by an NGO, the museum’s mission is to spread information about the ecology of the region, and to promote awareness of the damage that’s been done and efforts to make things right. The museum is fully interactive: reach out and touch bits of fallen satellites and other unique items. www.ecomuseum.kz

Make Strides Scale tall buildings and see the city in a few steps at the Atemeken Map, a fun outdoor walk-through map of the country with models of cities and historical sites. The Atemaken is right next to the well known Duman Hotel.

Under the Big Tent In another nod by Astana to Kazakhstan’s ancient culture, the enormous Khan-Shatyr entertainment center is shaped like a giant transparent yurt or tent – and is packed inside with shops, restaurants, game centers, and an indoor beach. There is even a small wave pool where – in the middle of the world’s largest land locked country which is home to some of the planet’s coldest winter temperatures – you can lay on a sandy beach, sip a margarita and go for a swim. The

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

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Astana and the North

V E A Le T R T

Baiterek

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The East Buried treasure Some of the few clues to the lives of Kazakhstan’s ancient nomads come from their burial chambers. One of the most recent discoveries is a site near Berel Village, where archaeologists found a number of burial mounds, some amazingly preserved, containing the remains of rulers, their horses, and loads of gold to get them through the afterlife. You can visit the excavations in progress. Much of what is found here is displayed at the Presidential Culture Center in Astana.

But the area around Semey was also the site of devastating nuclear testing by the former Soviet Union at the Semipalatinsk proving ground from 1949 to 1989, when mass protests forced them to stop. The city has been deemed safe for visitors, but long term effects of the testing continue to affect residents and the local ecology. A monument, “Stronger than Death,” has been erected to those victims.

A Literary and Tragic History

Above: Presidential Culture Center in Astana Right: The monument, “Stronger than Death”

Semey is one of Kazakhstan’s oldest cities, and also one that’s been sadly affected by recent history. On the plus side, it’s brought forth several of Kazakhstan’s intellectual heroes, including the poet Abay Kunanbaev, perhaps because it sits in the old territory of the Middle Horde who were known for their eloquence. Fyodor Dostoyevsky was also exiled here; the house next to where he lived is now a museum about his life. (Bring a Russian speaking friend as most of his texts and the tours are in Russian). There are art and regional history museums in town, lovely 19th century wooden buildings, and even a wooden mosque.

Sweating It Out: Kazakhstan’s banya experience is not to be missed. The country is scattered with public and private banyas, which are facilities with various types of saunas, steam baths, and hot and cold pools. They can range from tiny local banyas to Romanesque-style spas at upscale hotels. And they usually serve beer. In community banyas, folks often spend hours drinking, sweating, and gossiping. Many Kazakhs believe regular visits to the banya are essential to having clear skin and improving circulation.

In Sum

You don’t have to visit everywhere in one trip. Kazakhstan is a big place. But if you pick any one of the regions mentioned here, you’ll have more than enough tales of undiscovered adventure to share with friends back home.

Pillow Talk: Prices for accommodation vary greatly across Kazakhstan. Upscale adventurers can enjoy luxury suits in Astana and Almaty that rival any in the world for amenities – and price. For more budget conscious adventurers, smaller private hotels can be found close to transportation centers and can be had for about $35 dollars and up. Some even offer lay-over stays of less than 12 hours and luggage storage.

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Kazakh President Plays Leading Role in

Nuclear

Security Summit

By Alex Walters The two-day Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Seoul, South Korea on March 26-27 marked a significant step towards establishing more effective nuclear security across the globe. Leaders from more than 50 nations attended the summit and agreed on a joint communiqué to cooperate on boosting international cooperation to ensure the safety of “vulnerable nuclear material.” President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan told other government leaders at the summit that the world had taken great strides towards achieving global nuclear safety in the two years since the

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first Nuclear Security Summit was convened by U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington. Nazarbayev said the first of these milestones was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference that was held at the United Nations in 2010. “Second, in two years, the world eliminated a large amount of highly enriched uranium (HEU),” Nazarbayev continued. “More than thirty countries in the world have adopted national commitments to nuclear safety. Third, in 2010, Astana successfully hosted the Conference of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism,” he said.

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Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, center, with U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

The President of the United States also praised what he called President Nazarbayev’s “outstanding leadership” in ensuring the security of the nuclear materials Kazakhstan inherited from the Soviet Union

President Nazarbayev presents President Obama a tumar, an ethnic amulet, wishing him luck in the presidential election in November 2012

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The president said Kazakhstan had also completed an unprecedented effort to transport 210 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel to safe storage. He also noted that Kazakhstan had joined the Group of Eight (G8) Global Partnership against the spread of weapons of mass destruction and it had ratified the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) to bring it into force by 2014. Nazarbayev told the Seoul summit that nations should guarantee the safety of installations for the peaceful development of nuclear industry around the world on the basis of three principles: the adoption of legally binding nuclear safety standards, the establishment of mechanisms for rapid response in case of emergencies at nuclear facilities, and the granting to all states equal access to peaceful nuclear technology and supplies of low enriched uranium (LEU) through an International Nuclear Fuel Bank. Kazakhstan’s president also offered Astana as a venue to host one of the future nuclear security summits to review progress toward establishing international nuclear safety. The two-day summit ended on a high note with the adoption of the Seoul Communiqué which set a target date of 2014 for bringing the amendment of the CPPNM into force. More nations, including Italy,

also pledged to eliminate their stocks of fossil material. And the United States, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands concluded a new agreement to produce medical isotopes without the use of highly enriched uranium by 2015. This was in accord with the call in the Summit Communiqué for all nations with nuclear industries and facilities to reduce their use of highly enriched uranium as much as possible. “It would not take much, just a handful or so of these materials, to kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people and that’s not an exaggeration, that’s the reality that we face,” President Obama warned the conference. “The security of the world depends on the actions that we take.” The President of the United States also praised what he called President Nazarbayev’s “outstanding leadership” in ensuring the security of the huge amount of nuclear material that newly independent Kazakhstan inherited from the collapsing Soviet Union 20 years ago. “As the President of Kazakhstan indicated, this was a major site for nuclear operations during the Cold War. There was a lot of loose nuclear material that was vulnerable to potential smugglers, to potential infiltration. And as a consequence of extraordinary cooperation between our three countries… we’ve been

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Nuclear Fuel Bank: A New Way to go Nuclear able to effectively lock down and secure all this vulnerable material,” Obama said at a joint media availability with President Nazarbayev and President Dimtry Medvedev of Russia. “We have been able to do this in part because of the outstanding leadership of President Nazarbayev and the people of Kazakhstan,” the U.S. leader continued. “We’ve also been able to do it because the United States and Russia over the last several years have shown ourselves to have a mutual interest in making sure that nuclear materials are secured and that they do not fall into the wrong hands.” “This kind of multilateral cooperation is being duplicated as a consequence of this Nuclear Security Summit. And it gives you a specific example of the kind of progress that we’re making,” Obama said. Russian President Medvedev agreed with Obama that Kazakhstan’s work with both nations to secure nuclear material was “a good example of practical cooperation that should be highlighted.” “We managed to show this good example of cooperation, and such an example, I believe, should multiply, should be reproduced, and should also lead other countries to ensure nuclear security,” the Russian leader said. China’s President Hu Jintao urged world leaders attending the summit to create “an international environment conducive to boosting nuclear security.” President Obama also noted that the issue of nuclear arms control “is extraordinarily complex, very technical, and the only way it gets done is if you can consult and build a strong basis of understanding both between countries as well as within countries.” “Twenty years ago, Kazakhstan made a decision not to have nuclear weapons,” President Obama said. “And not only has that led to growth and prosperity in (President Nazarbayev’s) own country, but he has been a model in efforts around the world to eliminate nuclear materials that could fall into the wrong hands. So I very much appreciate his leadership.” Responding to the U.S. leader, President Nazarbayev said he supported Obama’s call “to all nations to struggle for a nuclear-free world. “We fully support the nuclear strategy of the United States, and we say that all the countries that support the Non-Proliferation Treaty will get the support of nuclear powers and will never be threatened by any nuclear state. And I think this is very important,” Nazarbayev added. The government of Kazakhstan has also launched a website called Nuclear Safe World at www.nuclearsafeworld.org.The website seeks to enlighten the international community about what it takes to create a more secure future and to encourage dialogue around the issue of nuclear safety. The next Nuclear Security Summit will be held in The Netherlands in 2014. e

By Alex Walters Nuclear power is a good thing. It provides an alternative energy source for many countries and, depending on your definition, is eco-friendly. The only problem is the stuff used to fuel it could also cause a global security catastrophe if it falls into the wrong hands. So the dilemma is how to enjoy the good parts while reducing the risk of being affected by the bad parts. Answer: A nuclear fuel bank. A nuclear fuel bank, one of the currently discussed mechanisms to ensure the safety of an international nuclear fuel cycle, would essentially be an ultimate guarantee for countries to get the low enriched uranium they need for nuclear power from a centralized international source, in case they are unable to procure such fuel in an open market. According to the proponents of the idea, this bank will then offer an additional guarantee for countries developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The idea of such an international nuclear fuel bank, or INFB, has been on the radar screen of the International Atomic Agency in Vienna, Austria since it was first proposed by the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) in 2006. Since then, diplomats and experts from across the globe have been working to develop a mechanism that would guarantee safe access for countries to nuclear fuel. Kazakhstan has been a leader in this effort and has offered to host the bank. The country’s history, global relationships and leadership on the issue of nuclear safety make it uniquely suited to host the bank. The country was the first nation in history to voluntarily and unilaterally eliminate its nuclear arsenal and shut down the nuclear test site. The arsenal was inherited from the Soviet Union and was, at the time, the fourth largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world. It was larger than the nuclear weapons systems of Britain, France and China combined. Kazakhstan is also a tolerant Muslim-majority secular nation with flourishing Christian and Jewish communities. It enjoys excellent relations with the United States and Russia, Europe and China, India, Iran, the major Arab nations and Israel. It has an unblemished record on nuclear safety and security. And it’s located at the heart of the Eurasian land mass as a bridge between North and South, East and West. “As the world’s largest producer of uranium ore, Kazakhstan is ideally placed to host the first international nuclear fuel bank. The bank, which would be run under the auspices of the IAEA, could provide uranium fuel to enable states to power civilian nuclear reactors without having to bear the risk of not being able to procure uranium at open markets. All countries which meet IAEA conditions would be able to access the bank,” President Nursultan Nazarbayev wrote in an op-ed published in The International Herald Tribune on March 26, 2012. Kazakhstan’s vision is moving closer to becoming a reality. At the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit on March 26-27, U.S. President Barack Obama praised Kazakhstan’s readiness to host the international bank for low-enriched uranium. He also recognized the country’s efforts in promoting international cooperation in strengthening nuclear security. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov has struck a similar optimistic note. He believes Kazakhstan’s consultations with the IAEA on the future fuel bank’s location can be completed this spring. And in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published February 7, Kazykhanov said the government then hopes to bring the facility online by late 2013. Nuclear power isn’t going anywhere and it’s a viable alternative for many countries. And Kazakhstan is on the forefront of a new way to go nuclear.

Kazakhstan secures nuclear materials

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amila

urbani

Diverse influences and theatricality are the hallmarks of Almaty-based international clothing designer Kamila Kurbani’s new collection. Kurbani tells EdgeKz her latest collection was inspired by the theatricality of the well known Cirque Du Soleil circus. “The (Cirque Du Soleil) O Show is inspired by the concept of the infinity and elegance of water in its purest form and pays tribute to the beauty of theatre – from primitive street representations to the most magnificent operas,” she said. The broad scope of Kurbani’s collection’s colors and unique touches, such as high-waisted pants for men, add to its theatricality. Kurbani created her first collection in 2007 as a student at the Kazakh National Academy of Arts and has achieved rapid success. She opened her design studio in 2009 and has designed outfits for some of Kazakhstan’s top stars. In 2010, she launched her brand, Kamila Kurbani, and in late 2011 opened her clothing boutique of the same name in Almaty. To check out Kurbani’s designs, visit her Almaty boutique at 135 Kunayeva St., on the corner of Kabanbai Batyra St., or call +7 (7272) 61 10 05 / +7 (701) 775 52 84. You can also visit www.KamilaKurbani.com.

Photo top left: Designer Kamila Kurbani

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Hard Work Pays Off For Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l

Kazakh Model

By Michelle Witte

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She knows that people assume modeling must be a piece of cake. “I thought that too, before my modeling career,” said Azila Dzhangutdinova

Fashion Week models “don’t sleep for a month,” Dzhangutdinova says

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Azila Dzhangutdinova dreamed of fame and glory, but discovered hard work. Life as a model has brought her long days and long flights, but also the thrill of performance. And after four years abroad, she’s back in Kazakhstan to continue building her career from her homeland. “I think I dreamed of fame as a child, as all children do. But I never thought about modeling,” Dzhangutdinova told EdgeKz. That all changed when she came across an advertisement for a modeling agency in a newspaper when she was 13. Suddenly, everything clicked. After that, she says, she was on fire. “Small beauty contests, photo shoots, small commercials; these were my first small steps toward work abroad and modeling glory.” At one of these modeling contests, Top Model Asia, Dzhangutdinova was spotted by an agency based in St. Petersburg. They offered her a contract. Dzhangutdinova was still a young teenager at the time, so the decision to go was one for the whole family. After a long talk with her parents, the family decided that she should seize the unique opportunity. “It’s not a chance given to everyone, and it might have been the first and last chance for me,” said Dzhangutdinova, now 17 years old. The trip to St. Petersburg was when she made her first portfolio and where her real modeling work began. And it really is hard work, she stresses. She knows that people assume modeling must be a piece of cake. “I thought that too, before my modeling career,” she admits. But the reality is very different. Currently, Dzhangutdinova works with agencies in New York, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Taipei, Paris, Milan, and Malaysia, Thailand, and Spain. The amount of travel she must do can be overwhelming.

“Modeling is constant flights, working from morning straight through to the next morning. It’s very rare to be able to escape back home. You sometimes work seven days a week, going to auditions in different parts of a city, always having to meet some deadline. Some days were so packed, I didn’t even have the time or energy to talk,” she said. Then there are the special events like Fashion Week, when between all the castings and the shows, there’s barely time for a bite to eat. Fashion Week models “don’t sleep for a month,” Dzhangutdinova says. But she’s not complaining. Dzhangutdinova may have worked hard to get where she is today, but it was her choice, and it’s also been a lot of fun. The pace of the work was hard to get used to at first, she says, but it was also just what she needed to help her mature. “Heading to the catwalk, I’ve always felt a pleasant thrill. The shows are full of pleasant, happy moments. Modeling helped me find myself,” she said Dzhangutdinova’s career took her out of her homeland four years ago, but now she’s back. She’s studying marketing at a university in Pavlodar and getting reacquainted with what has been happening in Kazakhstan during her years abroad. She also knows that the modeling will not last forever. “Everyone knows that the career of a model doesn’t last long. And all of us have different values and goals to achieve. I’m thinking about what I want to do next,” she said. e

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Dombra The

Part of the Kazakh Soul By Teri Barner

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Above and opposite: The dombra is incorporated into both modern and traditional Kazakh performances

“When you play, you feel everything from our history, from the time of our ancestors,” said dombra musician Murager Sauranbayev

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Across the vast Asian steppe and through the centuries, the sounds of a simple stringed instrument have formed a backdrop to the lives of Kazakhs. The melodies of the traditional dombra strike a chord with Kazakhs in a way that’s hard for non-Kazakhs to understand, evoking memories of ancestors, of family, of first loves, of patriotism. Soviet leaders understood the dombra’s role in maintaining Kazakh identity, and tried to stamp it out, believing that anything fostering ethnicity hampered the creation of a workers’ paradise. Since independence, the instrument has enjoyed a popular revival. The dombra is such a deep part of the Kazakh psyche that it’s become one of the key symbols of the country’s nationhood and culture, along with horses, the tent homes known as yurts, the steppe, the blue sky, the eagle and the Golden Warrior Prince. “When you play, you feel everything from our history, the time of our ancestors,” said Murager Sauranbayev, one of Kazakhstan’s youngest yet most accomplished dombra players. Sauranbayev began playing at the age of 15 and was so good that within a year he was the only dombra

player in the Kazakh contingent at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood. Since then, Sauranbayev has performed dozens of times in Kazakhstan and in Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, China, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia and Tajikistan. He’s been on television many times, and Kazakhstan radio stations play his music. No one knows how old the dombra is, but lutes stretch back to antiquity – thousands of years. So the dombra has had a long time to reach the depths of the Kazakh soul. The question of where the dombra originated also is a mystery because it and its cousins can be found throughout Central Asia, the Middle East and China. Music scholars argue about whether it originated in Central Asia and spread east to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, or whether it originated along the Mediterranean and spread west. While the basic form of the instrument is the same as it was long ago, the dombra has evolved over the centuries, said Sauranbayev, a native of Taraz in southern Kazakhstan and now a 24-year-old member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press relations

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Dombra Name: Dombra, Dombura, Dambura, Danbura, Dombor Where Played: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia History: Instrument was played as early as the 12th Century Origin: Shares characteristics with Central Asian Dutar and Komuz Materials: Wooden, long necked string stringed instrument with frets. Strings of sinew or modern nylon How It’s Played: Stummed or plucked with tapping on the hollow body for rhythm. Lower strings strummed for melody. Played solo or with a group. Upper

team. For example, today’s version “is bigger to make the sound louder.” Almost every Kazakh family has a dombra, whether or not someone plays, Sauranbayev said. “We believe there should be at least one dombra in a Kazakh home,” he said. Children often begin playing the dombra as early as five or six years of age. “When you play the dombra, you feel good,” Sauranbayev said. “On days when I’ve had unhappy news or troubles, I’ve taken my dombra to my room and begun playing – and I managed to relax.” One thing that amazes foreigners is the range of sound coming from an instrument with only two strings, Sauranbayev said. When he was at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles nine years ago, musicians from other countries and journalists were so intrigued with the dombra that they asked him many questions about it. “How can those two strings produce so many sounds?” was the most common. The great 19th Century musician Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev devoted much of his life to preserving Kazakh music, and Sauranbayev wants to do the same. He noted that dombra masters in villages throughout Kazakhstan have composed wonderful tunes, many of which they haven’t written down. A lot of the tunes

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are spiritual or religious in nature, really touching the heart, he said. Sauranbayev is afraid that when the village dombra masters die, “no one will know about this music. I want to visit these villages and talk to the elders to learn about this music.” His ultimate goal would be to produce a book that preserves the tunes. To introduce the compositions to Westerners, he’d like to see a version in English. Preserving this ageless village music would help ensure that the dombra remains an integral part of what makes a Kazakh a Kazakh. “The dombra is the soul of Kazakhs,” he said. e

The dombra is such a deep part of the Kazakh psyche that it’s become a key symbol of the country’s culture

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Restaurants

hether traveling for business or pleasure, international travelers seem to remember most a few key things after visiting a place for the first time: the people they met, the unlike-home adventures they encountered and the food they ate. Luckily, Kazakhstan offers plenty of opportunities for memories on all fronts. In terms of food, Kazakhstan’s major cities offer a growing array of cuisines that are uniquely influenced by its history as a former Soviet republic and its geographic positioning between East and West. Astana’s Bagrationi is an authentic Georgian restaurant that gives visitors a taste of the traditional food of that former Soviet satellite. Bagrationi is known for importing all of its ingredients – down to the water it serves – from Georgia and is filled with Georgian crafts and photography. Its Khachapuri, a traditional cheese and bread dish, is particularly tasty ac-

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companied by a glass of quality Georgian wine. In Almaty, you can experience a part of Kazakhstan’s strong Korean culture at the Korea House restaurant. The chef is one of 70,000 Koreans living in Kazakhstan and offers a menu of traditionally spicy dishes. The restaurant’s waiters also bow to the guests and deliver all meals with both hands as a traditional sign of respect. From the Asian garden and bamboo plants to the Asian furniture, Korea House offers a unique experience within Kazakhstan. Or for more traditional food, try Almaty’s Namedni where you can enjoy Russian blinys or Astana’s Ali Baba where you can try Kazakh kebabs in traditional private tents known as tapchans. So no matter who you meet or the adventures you have while in Kazakhstan, you’re sure to have a few culinary memories to share back home.

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Bagrationi: An Authentic Slice of Georgia

Austeria After the December 2010 edition of Edge, this successful Almaty chain restaurant extended its reach to Astana – and it has not disappointed. So extensive is the fare, that the restaurant’s website lists 17 different menus to cover it all. Think classic Russian dishes with a good dose of French haute influence, recreating the culinary traditions of late-Czarist Imperial St. Petersburg. Then throw in some Western taste, and you have an adult-ready, kid-friendly mesh of what the Czars may have done if they set out to create their own version of an upscale Ruby Tuesdays. Expect a menu of clay-baked lamb and veal, a steak list with more than 20 entrees, seafood, plus bar food and a children’s menu. And just when you think it’s over, they roll the dessert menu out. There’s even a hookah flavor selection that’s 50 percent off on Wednesday nights. You can enjoy phenomenal wine and spirits and live music, too. Takeout and delivery is available. Take a look at the delivery menu on their website, but it’s also worth coming here just to see the fantastic and unusual interior.

Cuisine: European Address: 8 Vodno-Zelenyi Boulevard in the Keruen Shopping Center Phone: 8 (7172) 79 55 13 Hours: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm Price Range: $$ Website: www.austeria.net/ Al Fresco If you crave some traditional Italian food – whether staple favorites common in Europe and America, to authentic specialty dishes – this menu is sure to satisfy. The chef prides himself in diversity, and loves to mix things up with surprise offerings or accommodating special requests. The attentive staff is really the ones responsible for the great

atmosphere here. Al Fresco is perfect for a power lunch, a business dinner, a date or for a child’s birthday. Service is fast, so if you want you can eat and be out in 30 minutes, but you very well may choose to linger through the afternoon or evening over wine and/or coffee.

Cuisine: Italian Address: 14 Kunayeva Street Phone: 8 (7172) 50-83-85 Hours: 10:00 am – 12:00 am Business lunch: 12:00 pm – 04:00 pm Price range: $$ Arbalet If you would like to forget the mundane for a while and pretend you are back in the Dark Ages or in the Arctic North, this is the place for you. Arbalet has a Viking theme with traditional tall, heavy chairs, stone walls, swords and axes on the walls. It is easy to get to and stays open 24 hours a day. Arbalet is not cheap, but the ambiance is wonderfully romantic, and the food is consistently good.

Cuisine: European Address: 16 Beibitshilik Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 32 40 60 Price: $$$ Arystan Restaurant Most European-style restaurants in Astana are relatively expensive. This one is not, even though it has an impressive interior. Anyone looking for casual dining will like Arystan, and students can afford it.

Cuisine: European Address: 2 Aykayryn Street Phone: 8 (7172) 29 20 36 Price range: $

From the moment you walk into the Bagrationi restaurant in Astana you’re surrounded by the country of Georgia. From the ornate tapestry that greets you in the foyer, to the friendly Georgian general manager, to the traditional menu, you know you’ve stepped into a little corner of the Caucasus. The restaurant opened four years ago at which time Bagrationi’s manager traveled back to Georgia to scout out and recruit chefs from Georgia’s top restaurants. They then set about importing all ingredients – down to the mineral water you drink – from the home country. “The Georgian president and the prime minister have eaten here. And they liked it,” General Manager Ziad Aphazov told EdgeKz Magazine. One of Georgia’s most popular culinary exports is Khachapuri and it’s also one of Bagrationi’s specialties. Khachapuri is leavened bread filled – most often – with a pickled Georgian cheese from the Samegrelo region and other ingredients. Bagrationi usually has at least eight versions of the dish available. Khinkali is another popular Georgian dish which is similar to a dumpling and stuffed with spiced meats, onions, vegetables and garlic. It originated in Georgia’s Pshavi, Mtiuleti and Khevsureti before spreading to the rest of the Caucusus in multiple varieties. Manager Aphazov tells EdgeKz, the restaurant will prepare the dish any way you like it. “Some areas (of Georgia) like Khinkali with bird,” he says. Just tell your server how you want it and if they have the ingredients, they’ll prepare it to your liking. And, of course, no Georgian restaurant would be complete without a quality list of Georgian wines. “Georgian food goes really well with wine. You should always have a good wine with your meal,” says Aphazov. In ancient times, Georgians would convert animal antlers into large wine cups which the drinker would hold vertically and down the contents in one gulp. Bagrationi has a VIP room where such antlers hang on the walls ready for customers to give it a try. The restaurant, located a short taxi ride from the city center, also offers live Georgian music after 7 pm from a band relocated from Georgia. The interior is also filled with Georgian woodwork and unique large black and white photography of the Georgian countryside. A larger, less ornate banquet hall upstairs is offered for larger groups. From the atmosphere, to the food, to the management, Bagrationi is a little slice of Georgia.

Assorti This popular chain has many outlets all over Kazakhstan (including small ones at the Astana and Almaty airports) and an impressive range of cuisine served at reasonable prices. (Of all other places, Assorti

(Please note: the telephone numbers listed here are for dialing in Astana from a cell phone. For more information on making telephone calls, please see the “Practical Information When in Kazakhstan” section.)

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68 Chilli Peppers No local atmosphere here! This is as Western frenetic as they come, which makes it a very popular pizza place for young people. The low prices and good value for portions don’t hurt either. The main room seats about 30 people, and it has a small VIP hall for 10. It’s conveniently located close to the Baiterek Tower, and they deliver as well.

Cuisine: Pizza, European, Italian Address: 33 Sarayshik Street Phone: 8 (7172) 50 37 73 Price range: $ East West

has now been opened in Arlington, Virginia, just across the street from Hell’s Burger, frequented by Barack Obama.) It serves a mixture of Italian, Japanese, Russian and European. The décor and atmosphere are routine, but you can consistently count on good food and good service. Assorti has some of the best pizza, pasta and salads compared to similar franchises in Kazakhstan. The grill is pretty good, too. It is also large, and is often packed at nights, especially weekends. Assorti has buffets during the day.

Cuisine: Russian, Italian, Japanese Address: 9 Dostyk Street (right behind Ramstore) Phone: 8 (7172) 79 53 97 Price range: $$ Astana Nury When you have something to celebrate, this is the place to come. It is easily one of the best restaurants in town with excellent service, a sophisticated, elegant atmosphere and a splendid range of shish kebabs (45 different varieties of shashlyk, including vegetarian). In all, it has 150 selections on the menu. It also has delicious desserts. You will get a 20% discount on the entire menu for lunch, on weekdays from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. With a slice of sophisticated 1920s Cole Porter Paris effortlessly transported to the heart of Central

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Asia, the music alone is worth the trip, and the price. The restaurant is located on the new embankment of the Yessil River with a spectacular view of the cityscape. It is particularly nice in the summer, when you can sit on the veranda and watch people walking along the river, as well as view the lights from the amusement park. Because of its proximity to the river, it’s a big spot for special occasions such as weddings.

Cuisine: Caucasian, European Address: 3/2 Respublika Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 43 93 38/39 Price range: $$$ Website: www.a-n.kz Bagrationi Bagrationi is one of Astana’s most authentic Georgian restaurants. They import all ingredients, including the bottle water, from Georgia and recruited their chefs from top restaurants in Georgia. The restaurant features traditional Georgian food such as Khachapuri and features unique Georgian art, photography and crafts. Live Georgian music is also played most nights.

Address: 25 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 40 21 48, 8 (7172) 40 21 50 Hours: Daily 11:00 am – 2:00 am Price range: $$$ Beerhoff As the name suggests, prepare for a genuine culinary journey through Deutschland and Mitteleuropa (Central Europe). The owners have captured the spirit of these regions’ famous beerhouses superbly, presenting an earthy atmosphere and a hearty selection of juicy sausages, steaks and grilled

meats. If you are a beer connoisseur, or simply a beer lover, this is your place: You’ll find here one of the better selections of draught beer in Astana, especially of the German persuasion.

Cuisine: European Address: 44 Kenessary Street Phone: 8 (7172) 21 00 10, 8 (7172) 21 00 40 Hours: 11am - 2am Price Range: $ Bochonok Brewery For German and Mitteleuropa visitors seeking gemutlechkeit cuisine, or American and Russian engineers thirsty for good beer and food (especially meat), we recommend the Bochonok. Styled after an old European brewery, this restaurant offers a wide variety of beers and has solid and large menu. It sometimes offers grill specials, and it is not too pricey.

Cuisine: European, mixed Address: 75 Kenessary Street Phone: 8 (7172) 37 16 66 Price range: $$ Website: www.bochonok.kz Capital Music and Pub Restaurant For middle-aged partiers in search of a good time, you can’t do better than the Capital. Located in Astana’s spectacular new left bank, not far from Baiterek Tower, it has live music featuring popular Russian and international songs. You can also sing karaoke in the VIP room. The VIP room gets booked early on weekends, so call early if you want to sing with your friends.

Cuisine: European, Kazakh Address: 14 Tauelydzyk Street Phone: 8 (7172) 24 46 71 Price range: $$

A fascinating mix of 21st century sophisticated cuisine and 20th century caution in its décor, East West offers both general international and excellent Indian cuisine. The interior retains a pre-independence style. A must see if you are interested in Soviet décor. Please change that.

Cuisine: Indian, International Address: 2/2 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 24 40 34 Price range: $$ Egorkino Derevnya Located in Restaurant Alley, Egorkino Derevnya is a part of a hotel with the same name. It’s not cheap, but you can get good Russian food here, usually much better than you would find in many parts of Russia. It has excellent meat and very good salads, as well as fish, like sturgeon. Since it opened, this restaurant has maintained a high standard of cuisine. It has two floors and a garden area with a Russian-village theme and heavy wooden doors. It is open from 12:00 to midnight.

Cuisine: Russian Address: 33 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 40 21 81 Price range: $$$ Epoch Anyone who misses the Cold War or still loves old John Le Carre novels has to make a stop here. Epoch has a décor evocative of the Soviet Union – and revels in it. Old Russian-made cars are parked inside and out. This is a great theme restaurant with public and private rooms, depicting Sovietera flags and icons. Some areas have glass floors with memorabilia underneath. The food is bold and innovative, and the menu includes whole-cooked fresh fish, goose and rabbit, all at reasonable prices. It’s a great place to party with live music and dancing on the weekends. A very good value.

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69 Cuisine: European, Kazakh, Russian Address: 9 Valikhanov Street Phone: 8 (7172) 21 01 57 Price range: $$ Europe-Asia Good, solid value and quality food, neither too cheap nor too expensive, with a solid selection of European and Kazakh dishes.

Cuisine: European, Kazakh Address: 30 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 62 87 43 Price range: $$ Farkhi / Ali Baba With its big yurt-shaped building, this place is great fun, and the perfect place to bring kids. Everyone loves the Ali Baba, located just off the big curve of the Yessil Embankment. Serving traditional Kazakh and Uzbek food, with excellent service, it is over-the-top festive nomad in style and décor with the waiting staff in traditional costumes. Kids can play in the lavish indoor playground, which Walt Disney couldn’t have done any better. The garden terrace is popular in summer, with fountains and private cabins. Business people and food lovers fly up from Almaty to savor the fantastic food. It’s known to get busy, especially on weekends. Try their chebureks (a pastry with meat inside); warm and fresh, they are spectacular. It’s a little pricey here, but well worth it. No trip to Astana is complete until you’ve dined there.

Cuisine: Caucasian, Kazakh, Middle Eastern Address: 3 Bukeykhan Street Phone: 8 (7172) 32 04 06 Price range: $$$ French Brasserie Capri Located in the Radisson Hotel alongside the Yessil River, this is another one of the best restaurants in Central Asia. Cuisine is limited in scope and there is no ethnic taste to it. But if you fly in straight from Cannes, you’ll feel

right at home. The Mediterranean cuisine is outstanding. This is also one of the prime locales for sophisticated partiers on a Friday night. Expensive, but worth every tenge.

Cuisine: Mediterranean Address: 4 Sary Arka Avenue, Radisson Hotel Phone: 8 (7172) 99 00 00 Price range: $$$ Fusion Another five-star location for the social set and the hard partiers, Fusion combines traditional world cuisines, and is a classy, top-level restaurant right above the Fashion night club. One unusual feature is that the restaurant sports three main rooms with a different ethnic menu in each (American Steak House, Italian Grill and Japanese), so select your preference before sitting down. The Japanese room is particularly interesting with small wooden bridges over “rivers” of small white stones, surrounded by a wall of glass. The VIP-Fusion room has extra-comfortable furniture and a large plasma TV screen as well as karaoke. Free Wi-Fi.

Cuisine: American, Italian, Japanese Address: 4B Mailina Street Phone: 8 (7172) 22 27 77 Price range: $$ Grilliage Restaurant As the name indicates, this is a refuge for carnivores, not vegetarians, and it offers a wide range of reasonably priced grills in the local, European and Russian styles. Russian cuisine in grilling meat, when done well, is excellent and unique, not to be missed.

Cuisine: European, Kazakh, Russian Address: 1 Zhenis Street Phone: 8 (7172) 32 52 22 Price range: $$ Il Patio and Planet Sushi This is part of a chain of Italian-Japanese restaurants, which means you get reliability and predictability. Il Patio was the first restaurant with a nice salad bar in Kazakhstan, and offers good pizza, pasta and other Italian favorites, and it has a great dessert menu. At all Il Patio locations, you can order sushi on the pizza side, or pizza on the Planet Sushi side, or mix it up. They play background Italian music in Il Patio and Japanese music in Planet Sushi. Il Patio-Planet Sushi remains one of the most popular choices for takeout and delivery across Kazakhstan.

Restaurant Maghreb: International Cuisine, Arabian Nights With new restaurants popping up all the time in Kazakhstan’s rapidly expanding capital, it was important to the owners of Restaurant Maghreb to offer something new. “The main idea of the restaurant was to create something other than the typical oriental restaurant and to bring the color and ethnicity of the whole community of Arab countries such as Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia and Libya,” the restaurant’s management told EdgeKz. “We tried to create an atmosphere of mysterious oriental tales; a place where the sun sets and the hookah flavors and the sounds of an Eastern music festival begin.” The owners, in fact, styled the entire second floor of the restaurant like a magnificent Arabian palace with tents, flowing bright colored fabrics, carved furniture and hand-crafted ornamentation. The second floor of this two-year old establishment also features daily live music and a dance floor. The first level is designed in the style of a peaceful Eastern garden with tree branches spreading out from the center of the room. Here you’ll find soft background music and dim lighting, perfect for a romantic evening. But Maghreb isn’t all show. Chef Vladimir Nizkodubov oversees a large Eastern and European menu with dishes such as besparmak, kuyrdak, laghman, and Kazakh kebabs among its specialties. Veal medallions, salmon and vegetable lasagna are staples of its European offerings. A large cocktail and wine menu is also available. So if you’re in the mood to spend the night dancing, eating and drinking in an Arabian castle, then try Restaurant Maghreb.

Cuisine: Pizza, Italian

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70 Address: 24 Turan Avenue (Saryarka Shopping Center) and 10 Respublika Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 79 22 03 Price range: $$ Jet Set One of the oldest “new” restaurants in Astana, Jet Set opened after the city became the new capital. Reliable European cuisine served in the median price bracket.

Cuisine: European Address: 2/1 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 24 29 04 Price range: $$ Kausar Restaurant Well worth exploring, Kausar offers European and Kazakh food prepared according to Halal standards and very-reasonably priced. This restaurant is far from the new city centre, so be ready for a drive.

Cuisine: Halal Address: 5th Microdistrict, 20/1 Phone: 8 (7172) 34 34 70 Price range: $ Kishlak Kishlak is another super-comfortable Uzbek spot with a really interesting interior, with streams running inside and raised platforms and comfortable cushions. The waiting staff is dressed in Uzbek national garb. The lagman is popular, and comes in clay pots. This place is packed with business people for lunch, but is kind of a party spot during weekends.

Cuisine: Uzbek, European Address: 22/2 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue, Kruglaya Ploshad Phone: 8 (7172) 974 161 or 974 142 Hours: Daily, 12:00 pm to 2:00 am Price range: $

Korean House A part of Restaurant Alley. There are now a lot of South Koreans working at any one time in Kazakhstan, not to mention the fact that there are a lot of people who simply adore Korean food, so this restaurant does a healthy amount of business. It also offers a good introduction to Korean cuisine. The restaurant says its chefs have been trained by great masters from South Korea, and the service is excellent.

Cuisine: Korean Address: 19/1 Sary Arka Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 40 20 99 Price range: $$ La Riviere One of the most expensive restaurants in Astana, but worth every penny: Exclusive atmosphere, exquisite food. It has a cigar room and two VIP-halls – one seating 12 people, and another small one for 4 – while a live pianist provides atmosphere. The only stipulation for the dress code is “no sportswear”. La Riviere also has a children’s menu, a nice fireplace and you can also order Kalyan.

Cuisine: French Address: 2 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue (near Quay Park) Phone: 8 (7172) 24 22 60 Price range: $$$ Line Brew This is another dining place that looks like a medieval castle from the outside (actually built in a transformed old water tower). But there’s a very lively atmosphere inside with an open spit-grill where you can watch the meat cooking. This restaurant offers a wide range of shish kebabs. It’s popular among foreigners, yet quite pricey. Line Brew has some of the best steaks and barbecue in Kazakhstan, which are often cooked over open flame. It also has great fondue and has an extensive wine list. This is also a place known for its selection of beer. It salads are made artfully. You can see some live music here, but it is not overwhelmingly loud.

Cuisine: European, Caucasian

Address: 20 Kenessary Street Phone: 8 (7172) 23 63 73 Price range: $$$ Maghreb Dining at Restaurant Maghreb is like spending the evening in an Arabian palace. The upstairs is designed in the style of an Arabian castle with tents, flowing fabrics, carved furniture and live music. The first level is designed like an Easter garden and perfect for a romantic dinner. The menu features Eastern and European traditional dishes and is accompanied by a cocktail and wine menu.

Cuisine: Eastern, European Address: 20/1 Beibitshilik Street Phone: 8 (7172) 53 44 66, 8777 999 20 09 Hours: Daily 12:00 noon – to last visitor Price range: $$ Medved This is a very Russian style restaurant with rustic décor. Gazprom executives may not dine here but you could easily imagine they would.

Cuisine: Russian Address: 46 Kenessary Street Phone: 8 (7172) 21 28 75 Price range: $$ Melnica “The Windmill” Located in Restaurant Alley, Melnica offers traditional Ukrainian country home-cooked style food. Decorated like a traditional Ukrainian farm house, in the summer the garden is used to grow vegetables, including tomatoes, corn, pumpkins and herbs. Tables and private dining areas are scattered about the garden among the vegetables. The maître d’ is well known as a character in the Astana restaurant world. When you leave, you get a small bag of sunflower seeds.

Cuisine: Ukrainian Address: 31 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 40 21 68 Price range: $$ Most If you love to cook but hate to clean, you’ll love Most Restaurant in Astana. Customers at Most have access to tableside grills where they can prepare their own meat, fish and vegetables. These dishes are then served with a fine whiskey or wine chosen from Most’s extensive drink menu.

Cuisine: European Address: Saraishik Street, Turkestan Street corner “Arailym” housing estate Phone: 8 (7172) 51 40 44 Hours: 12:00 am -2:00am Price range: $$

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Muller If good German sausages and a beer are what you’re looking for then Muller is the place for you. The venue is separated into two main hall providing live jazz and serving a variety of European and German staples. A relaxed atmosphere, Muller is a great place for lazy weekend afternoons over a beer and a snack while enjoying some sporting favorites on giant TV screens.

Music: wallpaper music, jazz, alive Cuisine: German & European Address: 12/1 Gabdulina Phone: 7(7172) 41 19 30, 41 19 32 Opening hours: Mon.-Fri: 11am-midnight, Sat:11am-2am Average price: $ Pivovaroff If you’re feeling cold or blue, this is the place to come to replenish your soul with traditionally hearty German food and beer. The restaurant is decorated in a traditional German country atmosphere, but the music is livelier. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy live Jazz and Blues. On weekdays there is an all-you-caneat buffet.

Cuisine: German Address: 1 Beibitshilik Avenue Phone: 8 (7212) 41 15 62 Price: $$ Portofino This high-end establishment is considered one of the top Italian restaurants in Astana. It also diversifies with great confidence into the vastly different Japanese cuisine as well. Located in Restaurant Alley.

Cuisine: Italian, Japanese Address: 27 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 40 20 34 Price range: $$$

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71 Princess Turandot

Satti

Reasonably-priced and a magnet for visiting Chinese businessmen and engineers, the Princess Turandot chain is famous for offering large portions of very good Chinese food. Princess Turandot first opened in Almaty at the Auezov Theater in 1998, and because of its high value-formoney, it is also one of the most popular take-out restaurants. Everything is prepared by skilled chefs from China. Located on the Right Bank of the Yessil River.

This is good restaurant with good portions of delicious food, and they also feature special entertainment programs. The centre of the restaurant is beautifully decorated like an opera stage, and offers excellent acoustics for entertainers who sing both traditional Kazakh and popular international ballads. A host introduces the entertainment, which includes comedy and music. It serves breakfast, as well as a business lunch for 1,700 tenge, and offers a separate children’s menu. With good service, it’s a strong choice for holding special banquets. It seats 350 people, and has a VIP-hall for 30.

Cuisine: Chinese Address: 40 Sary Arka Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 23 70 55 Price range: $$ Regine’s Located across the street from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the same building as Jimmy’z, Regine’s caters to an older clientele. Its atmosphere is formal and conducive to business lunches and dinners. It’s the perfect place to impress your guests and negotiate a contract. This is a good place to dress up a bit for the occasion.

Cuisine: French, European, Kazakh Address: Astanalyk Business Centre, Left Bank Phone: 8 (7172) 50 21 33 Price range: $$ Rixos L’Olivo Italian Restaurant Rixos L Olivo Italian Restaurant The L’Olivo Restaurant is the Rixos’ Hotel’s new signature eatery. It opened in September 2011 and offers modern Italian cuisine. It’s Milanoborn chef uses classical Italian ingredients to produce modern Italian and Mediterranean dishes.

Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean Address: 7 Kunayeva Street Phone: 8 (7172) 24 50 50 Hours: 12:30pm – 22:30pm Price range: $$$ Samovar Samovar is another place with two locations that are very popular with locals. The layout gives you a bit of privacy, as it’s divided into small sections with curtains covering the booths. It serves up home-cooked style traditional Russian food. It has quite a selection of soups, meats and blini, while Compote is always available. It’s often packed for lunch.

Cuisine: Russian Traditional Address: 22/2 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue, Kruglaya Ploshad, as well as 24 Kenessary Street (near the Sine Tempore Shopping Mall) Phone: 8 (7172) 974 171 Hours: Daily, 12:00 pm to 2:00 am

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and it’s also very popular with local Kazakhs. The menu is very close to the American version.

Cuisine: Kazakh, International Address: 32 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 24 28 48 Price range: $$$

Cuisine: American Address: 10 Respublika Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 79 30 30 Price range: $$

Sbarro

Tiflis

If you’ve eaten in one of these in any airport in the United States, you know what you’re going to get. Far from haute cuisine, but honest Italian staples, competently-cooked and reasonably priced. Sbarro is a quick place to get an inexpensive meal, and is situated in the Mega Centre shopping mall.

Cuisine: Pizza and pasta Address: 1 Kurgaldzhinskoe Highway (Mega Centre) Phone: 8 (7172) 79 14 97 Price range: $ Thank God It’s Friday (T.G.I. Friday’s) If you are from the United States, feeling homesick or culture-shocked, then this is the place to come. Predictable chain restaurant fare and not that cheap, but you’ll always get what you expect. Places like this are good for bumping into foreign friends,

Georgia is known as the “Italy of the Caucasus,” although Georgian cuisine is little known outside the former Soviet Union. But is has always been famous for its hearty opulence. Tiflis is a good place to discover it.

Cuisine: Georgian Address: 14 Imanova Street Phone: 8 (7172) 22 12 26 Price range: $$ Tre Kronor This traditional brewery/restaurant/ pub serves up northern European cuisine in a romantic setting that the 19th century poets would have loved. Located in Restaurant Alley, you can’t miss it: It looks like a Scandinavian traditional house from the outside. Very expensive, but nonetheless, a popular lunch and weekend spot. Also a good choice for doing business.

Maghreb Restaurant

Cuisine: European Address: 17 Sary Arka Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 40 20 50 Price range: $$$ Vaquero Anyone dreaming of char-broiled, Latin American style grill will not be disappointed by this authentic replication of Latino fare – simply muy bueno!

Cuisine: Mexican, Italian Address: 5 Beibitshilik Street Phone: 8 (7172) 39 01 21 Price range: $$ Venice Located in the Sine Tempore shopping mall, Venice is one of the oldest restaurants in “new” Astana. Fantastic pizza, as one might surmise from the name.

Cuisine: Italian Address: 9 Kenessary Street Phone: 8 (7172) 75 39 06 Price range: $$ Zhybek Zholy This lively establishment is a testament to Astana’s rising taste for diverse Asian cuisine. While the overall menu includes traditional Kazakh and European fare, it clearly caters to Chinese and other mainland Asian palates. You can also rack up some billiards before or after your meal, and on select nights, your ears will be treated to themed live music. All told, the place most certainly has the stuff for a full night out.

Cuisine: Kazakh, European, Eastern and Chinese Address: 102 Abay Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 21 05 07, 8 (7172) 21 66 56 Hours: 11.00 am - 03.00 am Price range: $$

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Cafés & Coffee Houses

ew things speak of springtime more than cafe culture and whiling away long afternoons chatting, debating and people watching with your friends over quality coffee. And with spring in the air, Kazakhstan’s two major cities don’t disappoint. In Astana, La Bella offers one of the best outdoor cafe seating areas in the city. It’s located just off the right bank of the Yessil River and within walking distance of the Radisson Hotel. Individual curtained-lined tents with comfy cushions dot a leafy garden and smaller tables throughout the garden also allow you to enjoy the sunshine. La Bella offers a vast coffee, tea and cocktail menu along with international cuisines. It’s tucked away and can be hard to find. But it’s quiet, peaceful and the perfect place to spend a day with friends.

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If you prefer to people watch while sipping your espresso in Almaty, then head to the Segafredo Zanetti Cafe. This well-known cafe has a small, cozy outdoor seating area with large comfortable seats. A patio awning provides shade from the sun for those who want it and the cafe is a favorite among locals. Segafredo Zanetti is one of Italy’s leading espresso companies and this local outlet carries on that tradition. The Almaty coffee house is also known for its desserts. But no matter where you are in the country or how you like your coffee, spring is in the air. So grab a friend and pass some time enjoying Kazakhstan’s cafe culture.

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73 Cafe La This chain of cafes offers good coffee, tasty desserts and sandwiches.

Address: 9 Dostyk Street, Keruen and Sary Arka shopping centers, Astana International Airport Phone: 8 (7172) 79 55 73 Hours: Mon – Fri, 9:00 am – 1:00 am, Sat – Sun, 9:00 am – 2:00 am Café Marzipan

Bar Fontan A lot of people in Kazakhstan go to shopping malls just to have something to eat because of the wide selection usually present. For a small café in the middle of a shopping mall, Bar Fontan is surprisingly popular whatever time of the day you visit. Often packed with people, it is especially known for its delicious pizzas, but also has a full-Russian-style menu, nice salads, fresh juices, alcoholic drinks and some good cakes. Its coffee is pretty basic – Americano regular and cappuccino.

Address: Kenessary Street, Sine Tempore Shopping Mall, 1st Floor, Phone: 8 (7172) 753 906 Hours: Daily, 10:00 am–10:00 pm Bon Bon Located near the Baiterek Tower, Bon Bon is well-known as a relatively inexpensive chain coffee house with properly-made Italian-style coffees. This is a great place to go after visiting Baiterek and the singing gardens. Kalyan (hookahs) are available, but only in the smoking section. The main room seats forty; and it has a 20-seat VIP hall.

Address: Khan shatyr mall Phone: 8 (7172) 57 09 75 Hours: 10:00 pm - 1:00 am Sat – Sun: 10:00 - 2:00 Bukhara This café offers a wide selection of European, Kazakh, Eastern, Caucasian and Asian dishes. It also has live music and shows. It comes complete with 25, 15, and 10-seat VIP halls available.

Address: 7, 3rd Microdistrict Phones: 8 (7172) 35 19 32 8 (7172) 36 57 32 Hours: 12:00 pm - 2:00 am

Café Marzipan was Astana’s first café to open on the left bank of the Yessil River. It is popular for its light lunch menu, which includes different kinds of sandwiches. Relatively large and comfortable, government workers often frequent it at night. It also offers refreshing freshly-squeezed juices. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Address: 1 Magistralnii Street (by the Singing Fountains Square) Phone: 8 701 551 4897 Hours: Daily, 10am–2am Café Star Some people would consider Café Star more of a restaurant than a café. But we will go with the name and call it a café, although a rather fancy one. The atmosphere here is high class, with photos of movie stars on the walls. While pricey for a café, the outstanding food is worth the price. A perfect choice for inviting guests to a pleasant evening with good food and wine.

Address: 13 Dostyk Street (Nursaya-2 Residential complex) Phone: 8 (7172) 79 54 12 Hours: 9:00 am until the last visitor leaves

Daisy Cafe: Convenient and Comfortable Daisy Cafe may have a reputation as one of the most popular coffee shops for Astana’s busy business elite, but this centrally located coffee house and cafe is anything but a lifeless second office. It’s actually a quirky, fun cafe with sofas, big comfy chairs and an interior that is warm and welcoming. The cafe opened a little more than two and a half years ago in the heart of Astana’s left bank and business district inside the Lukoil building. As a result, it is a popular spot for local business people to get some work done and conduct out-of-the-office business meetings. But its black and white photos of famous weddings, diverse seating options, ranging from sofas to padded benches and more work-friendly chairs, as well as its soft colors and lighting make it a great stop for those exploring the attractions and architecture of Astana’s new downtown. You can try its specialty cappuccinos, espressos and regular coffees as well as a quality Italian food menu with a nice selection of pastas and pizzas. And, like many cafes and coffee houses in Astana, Daisy offers a full cocktail menu. The cafe’s management also tells EdgeKz Magazine that it hopes to have a large outdoor terrace ready to open for the warm weather. So whether you’re on a business trip, a sightseeing tour or just want to meet friends over coffee, Daisy Cafe is a convenient place to do it.

Caramel Located on the right bank of the river in the old town centre, Caramel is known for the designs the baristas draw on the cappuccino froth. It has a nice, homey atmosphere, and in addition to enjoying one of its delicious desserts, you can play a game of checkers or backgammon. A great place for an evening out with the family.

Address: 10A Imanov Street Phone: 8 (7172) 53 73 88 Hours: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm Chili peppers If you like your coffee high-tech and Western, head to Chili Peppers cafe. This well established cafe on the left bank was opened in September of 2008 and has been thriving since with young people, locals and expats looking for a taste of the West. As one Chili Peppers employee put it, “No local atmosphere here! This is as

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74 free pastries each Thursday and Saturday to poor and elderly older people in Astana.

Cuisine: French Address: 14 Kunayeva Street. Phone: 8 (7172) 50 83 85, 8 (7172) 50 83 81 Hours: 08:00 am - 12:00 am Price range: $ Website: www:éclair.kz Indiana

Western frenetic as they come!” And to make sure their expat visitors feel welcome, the waiters speak English and have been trained to meet the often demanding nature of its Western guests.

Address: 33 Sarayshik Street Phone: 8 (7172) 50 37 73 Hours: 12:00pm – 1:00am Coffe Nova This new coffee house just opened in the heart of downtown Astana. It is not too large, and has a real intimate feel to it. Even though it is a relatively new addition, already you can find quite a few locals and guests spending the day talking or working on laptop computers. Free Wi-Fi is provided.

Cuisine: European Address: 15 Sagynak Street Phone: 8 (7172) 79 52 55, 8 (7172) 56 69 34 Hours: 09:00 am – 12:00 am Price range: $ Coral Reef Café The beauty of the marine world is on display at this uniquely decorated café. The interior was handcrafted by artists from northern Kazakhstan using clay and other materials. Children and adults alike will have tremendous fun eating and admiring the intricate designs on its walls.

Address: 171 Abay Street Phone: 8 (7172) 21 83 93 Hours: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am Corso Located on the right bank of the river not far from Tiflis, the Corso coffee house bills itself as “A small part of

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Switzerland in Astana.” Comfortable and diminutive, it’s better for good conversation on a date or lunch, rather than with a big crowd. Corso is at its busiest during lunchtime and at night. It gets a decent crowd drinking cocktails and beer, and it can feel a bit more like a bar rather than café. Its cappuccinos are really good, and so are the cookies and cakes. It also serves a nice breakfast. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Address: 12 Imanov Street (between Respublika Avenue and Valikhanov Street) Phone: 8 (7172) 53 73 00, 22 12 49 Hours: 9:00 am – 1:00 am Daisy Cafe Daisy Cafe sits in the heart of Astana’s business district so it is a great place to hold out-of-office meetings or to get some work done away from colleagues. But its comfortable interior and location near major tourist attractions also make it perfect for an after sight-seeing coffee and dessert.

Address: 17 Kabanbai Batyra Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 79 30 20 Hours: 9:00am – to the last visitor Del papa The Del Papa cafe is new in Astana and worth checking out. The cafe opened August 2011 and has been receiving rave reviews. Del Papa’s interior greets you with the warmth of a neighbourhood Italian joint with its checked red-and-white table clothes and bistro-style seating. This cafe caters to families, children and couples. It even has toys out and ready for children to play with. It’s not high tech

or fast paced. It’s just a place to relax and enjoy a warm coffee and good food with friends.

Address: 59 Abaya Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 21 22 22 Hours: 11:00am – 12:00am Sat-Sun: 11:00am – 1:00am Website: http://delpapa.kz/ Demalys Complex This café offers European and Eastern cuisine, including shashlyk (shish kebabs). This is a well-known place for hosting conferences and exhibitions.

Address: Central Park of Astana Phone: 8 (7172) 32 80 29 Hours: 11:00 am – 2:00 am Éclair Éclair is a new franchise, with branches in Almaty and Astana. It is the city’s first real French bakery. This is another spot with a real nice, elegant atmosphere (like a real French bakery), and you will probably find it ideal for treating someone to a business lunch. You can choose from a wide variety of cakes and desserts similar in texture and taste to what you can find in Europe. They also have good, simple sandwiches. Sandwich lovers will be happy to find the bread is nice and fresh as well as soft. The bread alone is a reason to come here, if you like it baked-fresh and piping hot. This is also a good place for takeouts, including coffee to go. Some of the things you probably want to try are their muffins, pies, cookies, croissants, rolls, cheesecakes, and tarts. This company is socially-conscious, and they deliver

This is a nice café with large-screen plasma TVs and beer on tap. Sometimes they hold entertaining shows to accompany the tasty European and American food on the menu. There is no dress code, and you will see people in jeans, etc., capturing the down-to-earth nature of the residents of the middle-American state Indiana the place is named after. Offering a business lunch for 1,000 tenge, it’s also a good place for take-outs as well. Check for their special promotions and get a regulars discount cards.

Address: 22 Sary Arka Street Phone: 8 (7172) 32 34 63 Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am Kvartal (Quarter) This inexpensive, friendly café has live music (mostly traditional) to entertain its patrons. The main hall is spacious, seating up to 70 people, and VIP rooms are available. Offering European-style cuisine, you can get a decent business lunch here during weekdays for a low 500 tenge. It also has secure parking.

Address: 24, 3rd Microdistrict Phones: 8 (7172) 34 11 25 8 (7172) 21 44 90 Hours: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am Fri – Sat 12:00 – 2:00 am La Belle Located in Old Town Astana, La Belle is usually crowded with young people. It has two main rooms with plasma TVs, and patrons can watch soccer and other sports. In the summer, they open their terrace area, which is complete with tents and comfortable pillows where customers can sit back, smoke flavored tobacco from a hookah and sip some drinks.

Address: 12 Irchenko Street Phone: 8 (7172) 23 06 00 Hours: 12:00 pm - 2:00 am Library Café Description: This is a great little café where you can get good Americanstyle coffee, tasty desserts and cocktails. Then you are welcome to kick back and read from their big se-

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Rafe Cafe: Enjoy the Quiet of the Right Bank The Yessil River runs down the heart of Astana and splits the city geographically and in terms of character into the “Left Bank” and the “Right Bank.” The Left Bank refers to the side of the river that has been newly developed and features most of the main tourist attractions such as the presidential palace and the iconic Baiterek. In other words, the Left Bank is the shiny, new, hip part of town. What is known as the Right Bank holds more of the old city and is home to quiet leafy neighborhoods. And in the heart of one of those neighborhoods along a quiet tree-lined street is the Rafe Coffee & Food cafe. This is the place to go when you have just bought a new novel or have somehow found yourself with a couple of hours on your hands and nothing to do. Not only is the cafe located in a cozy neighborhood just a few blocks from both the riverside promenade and major hotels, but its Italian interior was specifically configured to soothe. Rich black walls compliment soothing cream-colored furniture and Feng Shui-esque bamboo stalks climb the walls. And if you look up from your coffee and novel, you’ll see a back-lit glass ceiling lined with images of tree branches. Rafe also offers a separate room for those who need to calm their nicotine nerves. To go with the soothing interior you can order a full menu of European style coffees and desserts and the cuisine is distinctly Italian and specializes in pizza. Rafe also has a cafe on the Left Bank which is convenient to the city’s attractions and offers a totally different interior style and vibe. But if you’d like a break from sight-seeing on the fancy, attraction-filled Left Bank, just cross the nearby bridge, stroll a few blocks into the old town and spend a couple of cozy hours in a neighborhood coffee shop.

Above: The interiors of Cafe Rafe’s two Astana locations

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76 lection of fiction and classics in three languages, including English. Wi- Fi is available. (See sidebar)

Address: 61/1 Kenessary Street Phones: 8 (7172) 20 08 01 8 (702) 6822877 Hours: Tue – Fri 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm Sat 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Sun 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Closed on Mondays) Madlen This coffee house chain (Shymkent, Almaty, and Astana) is not only well known for its baked goods and tasty pastries – including cakes, pies and tarts – but also for pizza, burgers and sandwiches. The Greek souvlaki, both chicken and beef, is just about as good as many places in NYC; a very nice spinach quiche can be had too. Madlen is extremely comfortable and designed to be a great place to bring a small group of friends and just hang out. It is designed with nooks and nice couches so if you want, you can have some semi-privacy. Close to the Baiterek Tower, Madlen is often packed with young people and professionals working away on laptops. Make sure you try the freshly squeezed lemonade.

Address: 12/1 Tauelsyzdyk Street Phone: 8 (7172) 68 96 79 Hours: 10:00 am – 2:00 am Website: www.madlen.kz Mr. Coffee This coffee house is well-known in the city for using only 100% organically grown Arabica beans, while the cakes and cookies are reputed to be the best in Astana. Patrons can also

order sushi and request VIP rooms. It is right next to MEGA Centre, across the street from the Duman Hotel.

Address: 15 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 90 10 33 Hours: 10:00 am – last visitor News Café A diverse menu and accommodating feel makes this a great place to grab a meal any time of day. You can pick and choose from a variety of European, Eastern and Russian cuisine.

Address: 34 12th Street, Diplomat Complex Phone: 8 (7172) 50 35 67 Hours: 10:00 am – 2:00 am Fri – Sun 11:00 am – 3:00 am Oasis While Oasis offers a nice fixed menu with very good European cuisine, the management also tries to keep its offerings fresh. They often run specials, so whenever you decide to visit, it’s possible you can try something you’ve never had before, or get a nice discount on one of your favorite items.

Address: 7 Respublika Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 43 92 40 Hours: 11:00 am – 1:00 am Pizza City This American-style pizza joint is one of the most popular pizza spots in Astana. It has a steady stream of loyal and stylish clientele, partially due to its huge pizzas and its famous pasta. Lots of people come here during late hours for a bite. It has an interesting design with a dark red

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interior, and comfortable sofas mixed with hard metal tables you might see at many pizza parlors in big U.S. cities. They also have good breakfasts, and their croissants are a big hit.

Address: 17 Imanov Street (between Respublika Avenue and Valikhanov Street) Phone: 8 (7172) 20 09 65 Hours: Daily, 8:00 am–2:00 am Redford This moderately-priced café seats up to 45 people in its two main rooms, one smoking, one non-smoking. You usually find people dressed relatively casual here. It has a VIP room with 20 seats, and a separate nonsmoking room. The traditional fare includes European cuisine and shish kebabs, with both shashlyk and other kebabs, and features a 1,000 tenge business lunch. They also offer draft beers and pies to order. Not only is Redford good for take-outs, they also deliver. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Address: 43 Kenessary Street Phone: 8 (7172) 32 82 36 Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am Shambala Shambala has an Indian/Tibetan design, and was recently expanded to three floors with a dance floor, live music, and 30-seat VIP hall. Moderately priced, the cuisine is a mix of Kazakh, European and Tibetan. It serves a good business lunch for 900 tenge, and stays open 24-hours a day.

Address: 30 Republic Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 33 32 25

The "Rafe Coffee & Food" Coffee house This is a very friendly, intimate cafe where you can really relax and forget about work and worry. Popular with Astana residents and visitors alike, Italian designers created the interior, and all materials were imported from Italy. You can enjoy some of the most delicately and artfully prepared Italian food you will find in Kazakhstan. If you are a pasta lover, this is the place for you. The servings are not huge, but they are delicious. In the Italian tradition, they treat each dish like a work of art. You can’t go wrong with the ravioli, the tortellini, or the beautifully done risotto. The lamb chops, the red fish, and the veal are also wonderful. The pizza is one of the best in the country and the calzone is the most authentic we have found. The chefs use all fresh and natural ingredients, with no preservatives, meaning salads are made the way they are supposed to be made – with green and ultra-crisp lettuce, really flavorful plum tomatoes and real parmesan. Their coffee is also authentic and rich. A large banquet hall is available, and free Wi-Fi is provided.

Cuisine: Italian, Halal Turkish (but with a big emphasis on Italian). Rafe serves breakfast from 9am to 12pm Address: 14 Tauelsizdik Street Phone: 8 (7172) 24 49 00 Hours: 08:00 am -12:00 pm Price range: $

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Bars

Jelsomino Karaoke

o matter where you are in the world, bars have a certain culture. It’s a culture of camaraderie and good times. Whether that’s sharing a pint during a football match or laughing at how badly your friends sing Karaoke, bars are the place we go for good times. And that culture is alive and well in Kazakhstan. Karaoke is one of the most predominant elements of bar culture in Kazakhstan and there are plenty of places to enjoy it. Among the most popular is the Han Bel bar in Astana. Han Bel opened just over one year ago and was conceived from the start as a Karaoke bar and restaurant. It’s divided into eight themed Karaoke rooms and is situated conveniently on the right bank of the Yessil River.

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The more traditional bar culture of draft beer, live music and comfort food can also be easily found in Kazakhstan. Among Astana’s favorites are Staut Beer Bar where you can watch football on numerous flat screens while munching on spicy sausages and Guns n’ Roses where you’ll find a live band on weekends playing classic Rock ‘n’ Roll. In Almaty, try the Dublin Pub which offers a traditional dark-wood paneled interior and outdoor seating during the spring and summer. So whether you prefer quiet conversation over a Guinness or embarrassing nights of vodka-fueled singing, Kazakhstan’s bar culture will make you feel right at home.

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78 Address: 7 Respublika Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 21 77 27 Hours: 12:00 pm to last visitor Cigar Bar-Radisson Astana This bar has comfortable leather chairs that give it the feel of a traditional British study. It also has numerous TVs. There are all types of cigars, including Cubans, along with great coffee and service.

Address: 4 Sary Arka Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 99 00 00 Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 am Jelsomino Karaoke 8 Drops music club 8 Drops is a karaoke club with two locations. The song list includes Russian, Kazakh, American and European numbers. 8 Drops holds competitions between tables. Those at the tables sing as teams, and the crowd votes for their favorite. The host eggs people on to jump in.

Address: 29 Abai Street and 6/4 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 46 70 18 Hours: 8:00 pm – 4:00 am Albion This billiards bar has 12-foot pool tables or, if you’re in the mood for a challenge, Russian billiards.

Address: 6 Korgalzhinsky Highway Phone: 8 (7172) 79 69 90, 8 (7172) 79 69 91 Hours: 12:00 pm to last visitor Balkan This recently opened venue, directly above the Che Guevera bar, offers rural Balkan cuisine. Since it’s new, only time will tell how Astana takes to it. But with its comfort and good food, we predict it will be popular in no time.

Address: 8/2 Ryskulbekov Street in the Ak Kaiyn Hotel Phone: 8 (7172) 29 00 90 Hours: Daily 4:00 pm – 4:00 am Beermac Bar (Khan Shatyr) This newly opened, modern bar is a nice place to stop for a beer or snack while shopping in Astana’s largest mall. The menu includes a range of pastries and cookies.

Address: 37 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 73-47-68 (Khan Shatyr main number) Hours: 10:00 am- 11:00 pm Boulevard Grill Bar This popular grill’s menu has European, Japanese and Caucasus meals. The Boulevard is across the street from Cafestar in the Singing Fountains alley near Baiterek Tower. It has 25 types of shashlyk (shish kebabs) and steaks. Customers can watch the cooks using an open fire, which not only adds to the taste, but also to the atmosphere. The bar has two levels with large plasma TVs and quiet background music.

Address: 33A Respublika Avenue Phone: 8 (701) 517 38 86 Hours: 12:00 pm – 2:00 am

Address: 14 Kunayev Street (Nursaya Residential complex) Phone: 8 (7172) 24 45 31, 8 (7172) 24 45 32 Hours: 10:00 am – 1:00 am

Bar Boss

Chelsea English Pub

Bar Boss is a sparkling new gathering spot in the Ak Kaiyn Hotel for Astana’s young, ambitious and upwardly mobile. It is beautifully designed with interesting colors and subdued lighting, many mirrors and comfortable furniture. Boss has three sections, each in a different dominant color. The crowd includes a lot of young local professionals, but expats are showing up as well. And you’ll want to dress casual but well. You can get away with jeans if you do it with style. Bar Boss DJs play a hip mix of modern dance, lounge and trance.

Chelsea offers European and Chinese cuisine. Patrons can watch live sports on one of its large TVs. Its VIP room is terrific.

Cinzano Bar Cinzano Bar offers something for everyone. This locals hangout near the Yessil River and within walking distance to the Radisson Hotel is part pub and part restaurant. On weekends the place pulses with the sounds of a DJ mixing house and lounge music, and during the week Astana’s business class come here to share drinks after work. But Cinzano is also a top restaurant with a large sushi menu and international menu.

Graff is quiet and discreet. Patrons can order from the big menu of the Chalet Restaurant. The venue includes a karaoke bar, VIP zones, saunas and billiards. It has no face control, but you’ll need to dress business or business casual. Graff has a more mature crowd than many bars – upper 20s and older. Its DJs play a mix of contemporary music.

Address: 2 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 55 63 33, 8 777 11534 25 Hours: Lounge bar on Friday and Saturday Daily 7:00 pm - 4:00 am Hotel and saunas – around the clock Website: http://www.astana-park.kz/

Address: 5 Zhenis Street Phone: 8 (7172) 39 07 89, 8 (7172) 39 08 79 Hours: 4:00pm – 4:00am

Cinzano Bar

Comfort Hotel Astana Bar This bar is popular partly because Kazakh celebrities often stay at the hotel. Patrons linger, hoping to run into one of them. The hotel is elegant, with a feel of old Europe.

Address: 60 Kosmonatov Street Phones: 8 (7172) 24 44 44 8 (7172) 24 54 44 Hours: Around the clock Website: www.comforthotel.kz Contrabass This beer bar offers great shashlyk and live music.

Address: 25/3a Ablai Khan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 56 15 01 Hours: Mon – Tue 5:00 pm – 4:00 am Fri-Sat 5:00 pm – 5:00 am Graff Lounge Bar Graff is a relaxed lounge conducive to making connections and discussing deals. Part of the Astana Park Hotel,

Guns n’ Roses Guns n’ Roses is an up-market Irish pub serving draft beer and ale. The house band, Silently Screaming, gets the crowd moving. Both expatriates and local professionals dig the music. You can spot any Guns n’ Roses in Kazakhstan easily because all have red British Telecom boxes outside their main entrances. Guns n’ Roses recently decided to add an on-location butcher. So its steaks should be some of the best in Astana. Guns is a bit pricey. But you can find some of the pub grub you enjoy in the West at an affordable price.

Address: 11 Samal Microdistrict Phone: 8 (7172) 59 18 09 Hours: 11:00 am – 3:00 am Han Bel This is the place for people who love

Kega Sports Bar

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79 Karaoke. Han Bel sits right on the Yessil River and was opened in April 2011 specifically as a Karaoke bar and restaurant. It features eight differently themed rooms were you can get your song on, including an Arabic room, a Korean room and a “glamour” room. If you like Karaoke, this is the place to go.

Khan Belle Address: 1 Sary Arka Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 51 79 79 / 8 (7172) 51 80 13 Hours: Daily noon – 4:00 am Jelsomino Karaoke This is one of, if not the, most luxurious Karaoke bars in Astana. Whether you love Karaoke or hate it, you’ll feel comfortable in Jelsomino’s ultra-chic lounge. Plush red, U-shaped booths offer intimate seating and liberally placed flat screens make sure you won’t miss your friends’ high notes. It has a small bar away from the singing action and a VIP room. But be prepared. Reservations are required on the weekends and a reserved table will run you $500 minimum per night. But if you like your off-key music mixed with luxury, it’s worth it.

Address: 26 Imanova Street, “Rakhat” Residential Complex Phone: 8 701 216 38 88 Hours: Daily 6:00pm – 6:00am Kazbar This place used to be a nightclub, but was converted to a bar because neighbors complained about the noise. It quickly became popular in its new role. One attraction is its reasonably-priced steaks. Its restaurant is at street level, with the bar on top.

Address: 18 Mirzoyan Street Phone: 8 (7172) 92 88 49 Hours: 8:00 pm – 4:30 am (Tue-Sat) Restaurant - 11:00 am – 2:00 am Kega Sports Bar This is a large venue full of bigscreen TVs showing sports from across the globe. Popular among young people, it is linked to the Kega beer brand.

Address: 11/1 Kuyshi Dina Street Phone: 8 (7172) 36 89 99 Hours: Mon- Tue 4:00 pm – 2:00 am Fri – Sat 4:00 pm – 4:00 am Sun 4:00 pm – 2:00 am Krushovitsa You can enjoy live music and various types of shows at the Krushovitsa, as well as Czech food with your beer.

Address: 8 Abai Avenue

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Phone: 8 (7172) 40 72 52 Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am Mindal Mindal is a good place for meetings. You can do business at the same time you’re relaxing. Or you can celebrate a special event.

Address: 25/1 Kuishi Dina Street Phone: 8 (7172) 41 08 11 Hours: Mon – Tue 2:00 pm – 3:00 am Fri – Sun 2:00 pm – 5:00 am Orioke In addition to having a name rhyming with karaoke, this venue is known for its huge song menu, ranging from Kazakh folk to rap. Have fun!

Address: 9 Aliyev Street Phones: 8 (7172) 34 20 59 8 (7172) 34 22 59 Hours: Mon – Tue 5:00 pm – 7 pm Fri – Sun 5:00 pm – 3:00 am Prime This is one of the newest and biggest lounges in Astana. Its classy VIP room includes karaoke and a plasma TV. It also has a cigar room, a dance floor and a water pipe lounge. This is a midrange-priced bar, not terribly expensive, but not cheap, either.

Address: 6 Kurgalzhinskiy Highway Phone: 8 (7172) 79 69 95, 8 (702) 338 21 13 Hours: Fri 6.00 pm – 4.00 am Sat 6:00 pm – 4:00 am Q Night Bar The Q Night Bar follows a Kazakhstan tradition of some bars becoming nightclubs as evening wears on. It can be a lot of fun to watch the scene evolving from subdued to people dancing like crazy. Q Night caters to the young, with loud house music and flashing lights.

Address: 10 Sagynak Street (Nomad Residential Complex) Phone: 8 (7172) 66 14 14 Hours: 6:00 pm – 3:00 am Rixos Irish Bar Rixos’ Irish Bar is spacious and has a pool table and live music. Some of Kazakhstan’s hottest bands play there. In addition to songs that everyone’s heard of, the groups perform their own originals. The Rixos is Astana’s premium hotel, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the menu is a bit expensive. There are affordable items however. The bottled beers are cheaper than draft. Depending on what brand you choose, vodka and cognac can be reasonable. The Irish Bar is a hangout for those who have attended important events in Astana, such as the Astana

Han Bel: Where Karaoke is King For some bars, Karaoke is an afterthought. The owners buy a small sound system, some songs and dedicate a corner of the joint to letting tipsy people sing. Not Han Bel. At Han Bel, Karaoke is king. In fact, the bar’s management tells EdgeKz Magazine that Han Bel was conceived as a place to help develop a singing culture in Kazakhstan. During the early evening you’ll even find kids and families singing along. The bar opened in April 2011 and has a great location immediately on the right bank of the Yessil River. If you’re on the right bank, you can get there by taking a 10-minute stroll west along the river’s broad promenade about a quarter kilometer past the Radisson hotel. The bar’s two huge neon Karaoke signs are easy to spot. Once inside, you’ll find the bar is divided into eight rooms with each having a different theme. Among the themes are an Arabic room, a Korean room and a “glamour” room. If you really want an experience head for the room with the shining silver walls, silver floor and funky silver couches broken up by some serious neon lighting. The bar’s menu is South Korean and European with the specialty of the house being the traditional South Korean dish Kalbi. Kalbi is a beef or pork based dish in which the meat is marinated in Korean soy sauce. Han Bel imports its meat from South Korea for the dish. The bar also offers a large cocktail menu. But the real attraction at Han Bel is the Karaoke and the people who sing it. So on the next warm night, take a walk along the river until you see the big Karaoke signs and step into a place where Karaoke is king.

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80 Energy Forum. It often is the location of a post-event cocktail party. Many event-goers end up migrating to the Rixos after other parties. This means it can be a great place to make contacts. Don’t be surprised if you see well-known faces. The food is excellent. Snacks at the cocktail parties are tastier and the presentations better than at other venues that offer this service.

Address: 7 Kunayev Street Phone: 8 (7172) 24 50 50 Hours: Around the clock Sky Bar

Jelsomino Karaoke: Luxury with a Microphone Karaoke is one of those things many people either love or hate. It’s either an incredibly painful chore to watch person after person belt out off-key and out-of-date songs or a joyous occasion to share in the humanity of amateurs taking part in an ancient ritual – often accompanied by alcohol. Either way, in Kazakhstan a night out means a microphone and a song list. And as long as you’re going to either sing or listen, you might as well do so in nice surroundings. The Jelsomino Karaoke bar is one of – if not the – most luxurious Karaoke bars in Astana. The ownership group responsible for this intimate lounge is also behind some of the city’s hottest and most upscale nightclubs and restaurants such as Chocolate and Kyoto. The first thing you notice about the Jelsomino is its luxury and design touches. White flowers sit atop intimate tables beside deep, plush red U-shaped booths. New flat screens are positioned to be visible from each table and ultra chic-European-designed chandeliers hang from the ceiling. There is even a more luxurious VIP room. But all of this exclusivity comes with a price. Tables cost a minimum of $500 dollars per night and there is a $20 minimum for individuals. Reservations are also required Thursday through Saturday. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you should be able to find a seat just by stopping by. So whether you love Karaoke or hate it, you’ll have a good time at Jelsomino.

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Perched atop Asia Park, Sky Bar offers a panoramic view of Astana. Another unique feature is large screens showing continuous departures and arrivals at the airport. The bar is spacious and offers excellent service. Lounge music plays in the background, and you can hear well enough to have a conversation.

Address: Kabanbai Batyr Avenue (Asia Park shopping center) Phone: 8 (7172) 97 87 70 Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am Sligo Irish pub This is a two-level pub with an Irish and continental European menu, and Wi-Fi. You can catch live music here on Fridays and Saturdays.

Address: 45 Abai Avenue (close to the Ramada Hotel) Phone: 8 (7172) 39 01 82 Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 am Friday-Saturday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 am Sunday – Monday: 1:00 pm – 2:00 am Staut bar Staut Beer Bar is a great place to catch live music. On Thursdays, Staut offers an “Americano” band and on Sundays features a jazz-oriented Saxophone band. But like any good pub, Staut is also equipped to show

the latest football matches on its numerous TVs and offers tasty spicy sausages and grilled steaks. The bar attracts a lot of students and is largely an under 30 crowd. But anyone who enjoys cold beer, tasty food and good company will enjoy Staut.

Address: 4 Altynsaryna Phone: 8 (7172) 97 81 37/38 Hours: Around the clock Website: www.staut.kz Stolichny Pub Stolichny offers a wide range of ethnic food, including Italian, Russian, Uygur, Kazakh and Eastern.

Address: 47 Kenessary Street Phone: 8 (7172) 21 91 21 Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am Sun 6:00 pm – 1:00 am Triumph pub A nice, quiet bar with background music. It has a VIP room and Wi-Fi.

Address: 11 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue (residential complex Triumph Astana) Phone: 8 (7172) 68 91 04 Hours: 12:00 pm – 2:00 am Why Not? Bar Why Not? is a stylish lounge bar with a slick, minimalist interior where comfortable couches coax patrons into staying late into the evening. Many local and expat business people frequent Why Not?, so it’s a good a place to make contacts and have a good time. The bar is in the same building as the well-known Zhibek Zholy restaurant and its extensive menu includes selections from Zhibek Zholy. The bar is popular with a professional, mid-20s crowd and up. It has DJs pumping out lounge and house. The second floor is a smoking bar filled with the sweet smells of tobacco.

Address: 102 Abai Avenue (on the corner with Valikhanov Street) Phone: 8 (7172) 21 05 07, 8 (7172) 21 66 56 Hours: Daily 12:00 pm - 03:00 am daily

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Night Clubs

pring in Kazakhstan is a beautiful thing. Not just because the vast grassland steppe comes to life or because the outdoor living of a bustling society reemerges after a long winter. But because Kazakhs are beautiful people and the warmer it is the more they show that off. So once your work day is done, you’ll find plenty of nightlife where the skirts are short and the dress shirts are pressed and the country’s beauty is on display. Astana and Almaty are the country’s two nightlife hubs and in both cities you’ll find a thriving DJ and dance culture influenced by a visiting rotation of the world’s top DJs. Dubstep, house, techno and the occasional live music venue are all at your disposal come sundown. You can’t go wrong in Astana with the luxurious White Hall nightclub. This new lounge, dance club and karaoke hot spot has something for

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everyone. Its interior is upscale but comfortable with rounded couches for easy conversation, a big square, central bar for quick service and a small dance floor that’s always packed. But what makes White Hall the place to go is its diversity of experiences. You can join the crowd on the dance floor or find a comfortable corner to chat new friends. Dress well and bring some cash in case of impromptu cover charges. Almaty’s nightclub seen is even more established with long-standing goto venues that attract top DJ talent. Da Freak is Almaty’s current spot to find the best DJs. The club regularly brings in emerging talent from Germany, the UK and Russia. The club has two halls, including a main hall usually pulsing to techno beats and a smaller, mellower upstairs hall with electro house. Da Freak is only open weekends, but you can get your groove on until 6 a.m. So enjoy the Kazakh spring, its beautiful people and its hot nights.

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83 Oscar Nightclub

Art Gallery Lots of Astana nightclubs have sleek lounges and many of the city’s bars offer billiards tables and karaoke. But you almost never see a nightclub in any city with bowling. But that is what makes the new Art Gallery Nightclub in Astana unique. Art Gallery has seven bowling lanes, two for children and five for adults. One hour costs 2,400 tenge and two hours 4,800 tenge. The third hour is free. Art Gallery also offers traditional nightclub attractions, such as local DJ Biketen who offers a mix of club, electro house and mini techno.

Cuisine: Mixed, fusion Address: 29 Kunayev Street Phone: 8 (7172) 55 00 77 Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun 11:00am-2:00am Fri-Sat 11:00am-4:00am Azhur This club caters to the luxury niche, starting with its unique and stately interior design – an amalgamation of earth-tone, czarist décor with traditional nightclub neon and flash. An array of soft, spacious couches and chairs you’d want to sleep in flank the hardwood dance floor, and swooning draperies dress the padded and papered walls. Elegant chandeliers are suspended throughout, including above a ritzy, illuminated bar that features an exhaustive selection of spirits. That said, this is definitely a place you can dance and party at. The club often hosts varied theme parties, bringing in some of the top DJ talent from Russian and European, and also features full billiards facilities. Small but always popular, the club has a link with the Portofino Restaurant and is located in the same building. As you would expect given the description, don’t show up looking a slouch: Azhur is strict on dress code and face control.

Cuisine: Italian, Japanese Address: 27 Turan Avenue

Phone: 8 (7172) 40 20 34 Hours: 12:00 pm to last visitor Chocolate Located in the Radisson Hotel on the Right Bank of the river, Chocolate is considered one of the most upscale and hottest – some say the hottest – night clubs in the city, and is popular in particular with locals (especially Friday night). It has a large roster of regulars, and practices strict face control. It has lots of smart, beautiful people, who tend to come in groups. Chocolate is more like a lounge during the week and Sundays, with live jazz. But the party is on Friday and Saturday nights, with guest DJs from Russia, Europe or Almaty. You can sit at the bar, but to grab a table with its cozy furniture, be warned: it will set you back at least $500 per table. Guests at the Radisson should have no trouble getting in. The club is not very big and was recently renovated. Dress code is smart casual.

Cuisine: Japanese Address: 2 Sary Arka Avenue Phone: 8 (701) 550 0017 EL Karnak El Karnak is not just a nightclub. It’s also a Karaoke lounge, live music joint and good all around place to share food and drinks with friends. In fact, the new owner prefers the name, “Entertainment Complex El Karnak.” The owner bought the complex a year and a half ago and renovated nearly the entire multilevel building. Now revelers can spend time in the Egyptian inspired nightclub, sing Karaoke in front of a state-of-the-art screen or just chill out in the top floor lounge. No matter what your preference, El Karnak will have a vibe you enjoy.

Address: 52 Imanova Street Phone: 8 (7172) 37 62 24, 8 (7172) 37 62 24 Hours: Daily 8:00pm – 8:00am

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El Karnak: More Than Just a Nightclub To call El Karnak just a nightclub doesn’t do this newly renovated lounge, Karaoke bar and nightclub justice. In fact, new owner Eduard Obukhov prefers the club’s full name, “Entertainment Complex El Karnak.” El Karnak has been around for a long time, Obukhov told EdgeKz Magazine, but for many years it had fallen into serious disrepair. “I wanted to cry the first time I saw it,” he said. “I used to come for two months to see how many people were there. There were only two or three tables… There was a strip club. It smelled bad.” So a year and a half ago, Obukhov – who learned the nightclub business in Almaty before moving to Astana in 2001 – bought the multi-level complex, reconstructed nearly the entire interior and El Karnak has been packed on weekends since. At its root, El Karnak is a nightclub. Its dance hall space is done with an Egyptian motif with large pharaoh statues and a golden winged woman hanging from the wall. The club’s tables are raised and encircle the dance floor giving everyone a view of who’s hot. The nightclub also features go-go dancers on raised platforms immediately beside the tables, giving everyone a view of who’s really hot. Unlike many clubs, El Karnak doesn’t stick to the usual house or techno. Its DJs play everything from 90s hits to current pop. Anything to get people dancing. The upper level lounge bar is split into two big rooms – one filled with comfortable couch booths where you can relax with friends and the other offering a big bar and a small space where live bands play classic Rock ‘n’ Roll on Fridays and Saturdays. The Karaoke bar is packed with couches aimed at a nice-sized stage backed by new state-of-the art Karaoke equipment. And each of El Karnak’s sections offer a full European menu, six kinds of beers and all the standard nightclub cocktails. And, Obukhov told EdgeKz, El Karnak is different from other nightclubs in that it doesn’t try to be cool and exclusive. It wants to be a place where everyone feels comfortable to dance, sing, drink and have a good time without the pretense of trying to be super hip. So far the formula is working as the place has been packed since Obukhov took over. “I was scared when I bought it. But it has worked out,” he said. So if you’re in the mood for more than just a nightclub, head to Entertainment Complex El Karnak.

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White Hall: Old School Luxury

Fashion Fashion is one of Astana’s top nightclubs. With its big and bold dance floor, the club caters to the under-30 crowd via a number of rotating, big-name DJs. High-profile international DJs mostly come from Russia, with a few from Western Europe. The club is also known for throwing inventive theme parties, and also hosts fashion shows and parties with well-choreographed stage shows. The club is connected with Fusion, one of the top restaurants in Astana (see our review in restaurant listings), so you can eat at Fusion, and party your way into the night downstairs at Fashion – but it will definitely cost you. Fashion is considered an expensive club, so those on a budget beware. It has its own food menu, but portions are on the small side, and pricey.

Cuisine: Italian, American, Japanese Address: 4 Mailin Street Phone: 8 (7172) 22 27 77 Hours: Fri. & Sat. 10:00 pm to last visitor Website: www.fusion.com.kz Jimmy’z Jimmy’z, located on the 12th floor of the Astanalyk building across from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is part of an international showcase that includes 20 capital cities. The place oozes exclusivity when you walk through the door, offering a truly elegant, high-class atmosphere that is not as loud as many clubs. With its brand of interior and existential class, Jimmy’z attracts an affluent and slightly older clientele, often including celebrities and politicians. The club features a cigar bar, karaoke lounge and dance hall, all supported by a phenomenal set of wine, liquor and fine cuisine. It used to be membersonly, but is now open to the public. We need not warn you to dress for the place.

Cuisine: European, Kazakh, French Address: Astanalyk Business centre Phone: 8 (7172) 50 20 33 8 (7172) 50 21 33 Hours: Around the clock Oscar Oscar’s nightclub might be located in the luxury Duman Hotel, but this is no hotel lounge bar. This new addition to the Astana nightclub scene attracts the capital’s young and beautiful with hot music and packed dance floors. Its value is in its music and its highenergy vibe. The club, which opened in February 2011, is spread out over two levels and three VIP rooms. The

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main dance floor is surrounded by comfortable couches where you can watch some of the hottest go-go dancers in the city do their thing. There’s also plenty of room to dance for the rest of us with two bar areas to ensure quick service. The club’s house DJs usually mix club, house and techno music. Club Oscar is open on weekends until 5 a.m.

Cuisine: European snacks Address: 2a Kurgalzhinsk highway Table reserve by phone number: 8 (7172) 79 15 67 Website: http://www.nc-oscar.kz E-mail: info@nc-oscar.kz White Hall When the owner of White Hall decided to open an upscale nightclub in Astana he determined it had to have one thing: light. One of the first things you notice when you walk into White Hall is that it is not some dark, smoke-filled club packed with sweaty bodies. It is light and airy with big white comfortable couches and plenty of room to move around. It also has a large central bar so service is quick. Sure it has DJs and go-go dancers and is filled with Astana’s pretty people. But more than a lot of other clubs, it’s a placed to spread out, relax and enjoy the night.

White Hall nightclub lives up to its name, not only because it’s Astana’s white hot night spot of the moment but because you can actually see when you’re inside. “When go to other nightclubs, it’s all dark. You can’t see,” nightclub owner Eduard Obukhov told EdgeKz. “At my club, there’s light. That’s why we have the name.” Obukhov, 38, knows nightclubs having cut his teeth working in Almaty clubs for years before coming to Astana and opening his own venues. And, like a similar White Hall nightclub in Almaty, he wanted this club to be different. And it is. The first thing you notice when you enter the main room is the upscale atmosphere. Lots of clubs try to be industrial or cutting edge. But White Hall is gracias and elegant. Its soft white walls are covered with intricate tapestry-style designs and it offers lots of comfortable seating, something other dance clubs ignore. The dance floor is also a little smaller than some other clubs, allowing more room for seating and intimate conversation around big white couches. White Hall also offers the usual rotation of local and, occasionally, international DJs. But what makes White Hall different is that it plays all types of music to give everyone a good time, rather than strictly techno. The club opened in October 2011 and is open Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. White Hall also offers a Karaoke room that opens earlier at 6 p.m. The club is geared toward an upscale crowd so make sure to dress your best or you might not get in. And though foreigners usually get a pass on cover charges, you’ll want to bring a little cash just in case. So if you like your good times to be wrapped in a little old school luxury, White Hall is your place.

Address: 12 Mirzoyana Street Phone: 8 (7172) 46 46 16, 8 (7018) 71 81 99 Hours: Thurs-Sat 8 pm – 7 am

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Rising DJ Celebrates All Music Ivan Plujnik was just an impressionable 17-year-old when he stood in the town square of Yekaterinburg City, Russia for the city day celebration in 2007. But it wasn’t the celebration that changed his life. It was the music. “To my surprise there was no limit (to what I felt). That one person standing on the stage provided everyone with an amazing feeling of joy and holiday. It was then that I decided I wanted to become a DJ,” the Astana native and now professional DJ told EdgeKz. But Kazakhstan’s DJ culture is surprisingly crowded. The country’s arts, music, and DJ scene has exploded in the wake of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. So securing a DJ spot in the hottest nightclubs in the nation’s new capital isn’t easy. But Plujnik wanted to give it a shot. So he searched for a year before finding a top Astana DJ, DJ FX (Vyacheslav Mishchenko), who was working at Astana’s Portfolio Fashion Club, to take the young hopeful and teach him how to be a DJ. “Vyacheslav helped me in every possible way and he arranged gigs for me where I could show (my developing skills),” said Plujnik, who now goes by the stage name DJ Humble. The established DJ showed Plujnik the basic techniques, but Plujnik took it from there. “Today, I have worked as a DJ for four years. I work in many clubs in Astana with many DJs. And always in this profession, you study and study. It’s impossible to reach perfection because there’s always something new. That helps me to grow and develop my abilities,” he said. Though Plujnik was lucky to be taught his skills by a top, established DJ, the competition for top spots remains high and Plujnik had to prove himself. “You have to show that you can play, and then you will have respect from colleagues and listeners. It’s necessary to prove to all that you really deserve the right to carry the title of DJ and then all roads are open to you,” he said. Plujnik prides himself on being versed in all forms of music, not just club music. He might start the night working a jazz vibe at a bar and end the next morning controlling a throbbing crowd of hundreds with techno beats at a nightclub. “In the world there is so much good music and it’s necessary to develop musical knowledge,” he said. Plujnik is also proud that the Kazakhstan music scene is on par with other DJ cultures and that local DJs have won numerous international rewards, he said. “I’ve often had to perform with Russian and European DJs and all of them have flatteringly commented about the work and techniques of our DJs,” Plujnik added. “Everyone tries to prove… to the whole world that there are talented people in Kazakhstan.” As for Plujnik, he says he’s begun discussions with music labels to publish his work but hasn’t yet signed a deal. For now, he is content to continue giving others the same feeling he had standing in that square five years ago. “The best part of being a DJ in your own country and city is that people know you and love you for what you do and do honestly, giving others pleasure and making them feel good,” he said.

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Arts & Culture

ften the most telling and diverse history of a place can be found in its art. It is what the musicians and dancers and painters have to say about a region that offers a perspective you can’t find in the history books. And the same is true of Kazakhstan. From classic Russian ballets and operas to cutting-edge modern art, Kazakhstan’s ancient, Soviet and modern independent history can be glimpsed in the country’s many art museums and institutions. In Astana, you’ll want to visit the Museum of Modern Arts which houses approximately 4,000 works and produces more than 50 exhibitions annually from artists across the spectrum of former Soviet republics. For a look at the region’s theatrical arts, try Astana’s National Opera and Ballet Theatre or The Russian Drama Theatre. Both are serious outlets that feature the classics.

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Theatrical performances reflecting modern sensibilities and themes in Almaty can be found at the ARTiSHOK Theatre, which specializes in improvisation and interactive performances. Or for a complete journey through Kazakhstan’s history, stop by Almaty’s Central State Museum, which is of the country’s oldest and largest museums. It’s not exactly an art museum as much as an historical retrospective with more than 200,000 pieces reflecting Kazakhstan’s ancient and modern history. The exhibits at the state museum, as with many in Kazakhstan, are in Russian so you’ll want to bring a Russian speaking friend or inquire about a bi-lingual tour guide prior to arrival. Kazakhstan’s history is broad and complex. Its origins and its emerging role on the international stage are there for you to see in the works, words and performances of its many artists.

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88 American Corners and Cultural Centres in Kazakhstan The long-awaited “American Corner” has been launched at the National Academic Library in Astana, and it’s a gold mine for anyone, of any age, who is interested in practicing English and learning about the United States. You’ll find English-language collections of American fiction, and reference books on U.S. government, history, and culture. Visitors also can learn more via Internet access, audio recordings, and American films and documentaries. For English teachers, extensive materials and Englishteaching curriculums are on hand. The centre also hosts myriad events and clubs for children and adults. Among them are a discussion & debate club, music club, reading club, movie viewing club, and Kids’ Hour. Also featured are local and U.S. guest lecturers dedicated to certain events. Regular Saturday events are: “Movienights” at 17.00; “Discussion Club” at 15.00; and “Reading club” at 16.00. Open to the public.

Address: The National Academic Library (near Baiterek) Phone: 8(7172) 44 62 54 Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am – 08:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 06:00 pm; closed on Mondays and the last Friday of every month. Website: www.amcorners.kz

Alzhir Memorial Museum of Victims of Political Repressions and Totalitarianism On May the 31st, 2007, the Alzhir Museum opened at the location of the former Akmolinsky camp of “Wives of the Traitors of the Motherland.” It memorializes the tragic events of Soviet rule, including the dark times of the 1930s – 1950s. The year 2007 was chosen as the museum’s opening date for its meaning to Kazakhstan and former Soviet countries. It was the 90th anniversary of the October Revolution and the 70th anniversary of the beginnings of the “mass political terror.” During this period 100,000 innocent civilians lost their lives. In Kazakhstan, every May 31st is a day of remembrance for the victims. The memorial complex is a moving experience with many exhibits. English language tours and translations are provided.

Address: Kurgalzhin Highway, 37 km from Astana in village Malinovka Phone: 8 (7172) 49 94 55, 8 (7172) 54 26 69 Hours: 10:00 am – 06:00 pm Website: www.alzhir.ucoz.kz Alzhir memorial museum at the reconstruction until the new year. Atameken: A Walking Map of Kazakhstan

Description: Don’t have time to travel through all of Kazakhstan? Then stroll through the “Atameken,” a 1.7

Opera House in Almaty

hectare, outdoor map you can walk through that essentially is an outdoor museum feting the country’s history, culture and development. See miniaturizations of every Kazakh city, including famous buildings, cultural icons, markets, and mountains – even the famous Cosmodrome in Baikonur. Beautifully landscaped, this unique “ethnopark” reportedly is one of only 20 such exhibitions in the world.

Address: 6 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 24 04 97, 8 (7172) 24 52 72 Hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm Opened from the May till November

Atameken: a walking map of Kazakhstan works during the summer time. Has Sanat Gallery The Has Sanat Gallery has works of well known artists and emerging talent. The core of its collection is paintings by local Kazakh artists, including A. Sadykhanov, A. Akanayev and E. Tolepbay. The gallery also hosts traveling exhibits of work from Kazakhstan and abroad.

Address: 47 Abai Avenue and 14 Kunaev Street (Nursaya-1 residential complex) Phone: 8 (7172) 39 12 68, 8 (7172) 50 84 65 Website: www.hassanat.kz Kulanshi Modern Art Center Description: The Kulanshi Center has a collection that includes European masters such as Albrecht Durer, Rembrandt, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.

Address: 57 Tauelsizdik Street, Palace of Peace and Harmony (6th floor) Phone: 8 (7172) 74 47 17 Hours: Mon. – Fri. : 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sat.: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Modern Art Gallery This gallery of art, located in the Palace of Peace and Harmony, is the place to see the work of modern Kazakh painters. It is divided into several galleries of different colors. The main gallery is yellow and has 100 paintings and 19 sculptures. Here you can see works of modern Kazakh painters, such as K. V. Mullashev, Akanaev and Begalin.

Address: 57 Tauelsizdik Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 70 03 83 Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed Mondays) Shezhyre Gallery National Theater of Opera and Ballet

This gallery exhibits the work of local and foreign artists.

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89 Address: 57 Tauelsizdik Street, Palace of Peace and Harmony Phone: 8 (7172) 74 47 27 The Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall The Kazakhstan Concert Hall has two main auditoriums, one for film and another for the performing arts, such as concerts and ballet performances. The film theater can seat up to 3500 people. The concert hall has a wide orchestra pit, and back stage for theater, ballet and modern or classical concerts.

Address: 10/1 Orynbor Street Phones: 8 (7172) 70 53 02 The Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan This museum is located in the president’s former residence and offers a unique insight into the birth of a nation and its progress through time. The exhibits reveal the most important stages in the formation of an independent Kazakhstan and talks about the life and work of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The interiors are intact and the museum collection of over 60,000 items includes souvenirs, books, archival manuscripts, printed materials, film and documentary photographs, works of fine and decorative arts, weapons, personal belongings and documents offered by the president.

Address: 11 Beibitshilik Street Phones: 8 (7172) 75 12 14/92 The Museum of Modern Art in Astana Originally named the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Modern Art was established in 1980. It started with a collection of 500 works of art, which has grown over the last 30 years to 3,000 pieces. Currently, the collection includes works by artists from Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Tajikistan and other CIS countries.

Address: 3 Respublika Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 44 02 61 Website: www.msi-astana.kz The National Theater of Opera and Ballet Named after Kulyash Baiseitova

Museum of Modern Arts: A Rare Collection and Opportunity Kazakhstan is full of experiences you might not find elsewhere. You can travel the vast steppe, smoke hookah with friends on a traditional tapchan and experience ground breaking architecture. But Kazakhstan also affords visitors the opportunity to view one of the most unique modern art collections in the world. The Museum of Modern Arts in Astana offers the rare opportunity to view in one place some of the most prized art not only from Kazakhstan and Russia but from Armenia, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and other Commonwealth of Independent States Countries. The museum opened 30 years ago with a collection of 500 works transferred to the museum from the then Soviet Union’s national exhibition “Land and People.” Today, the modern art museum owns more than 4,000 works and hosts more than 50 exhibitions annually viewed by roughly 70,000 visitors per year. It also regularly organizes international traveling exhibitions. But it is more than just a museum showcasing the works of modern masters. It is a living institution that encourages today’s artists. The museum each year hosts the International Festival of Creative Youth “Shabyt”, which involves the works of young people 16 to 30 years of age from all parts of Kazakhstan. The museum also holds art classes for kids three to nine years old and sponsors literary and musical events. The museum’s exhibitions are also accompanied by educational programs, such as lectures on art theory and history. Among the most recent exhibitions was a retrospective of French artist Jasenka Tucan-Vaillant featuring more than 100 tapestries, sculptures and paper creations dating from 1995 to 2010. The Museum of Modern Arts in Astana is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to experience the art of a broad region and unique history in one place.

Located near the railway station, this theater is an example late 19th Century architecture. It has gone through a major renovation, and now

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90 holds large and small concert halls, a restaurant and practice rooms. The theater focuses on producing a repertoire of Kazakh musical and cultural performances. World-class talent has been invited to perform classic opera classics, including “The Wedding of Figaro,” “Chio-chio-san,” “La Traviata” and “Eugene Onegin” among others. The National Theater of Opera and Ballet has received recognition for its quality productions in Kazakhstan and abroad. The concert hall is small, but has good acoustics and seats approximately 300 people.

Address: 10 Akzhaiyk Street Phones: 8 (7172) 39 27 60/61 Website: www.astana-anshlag.kz The Palace of Independence The Palace of Independence is used for official state functions, including forums, meetings and conventions. It includes the Gallery of applied art and ethnography, archeology and anthropology, a modern art Gallery, the Museum of City History of Astana. It also has two theaters; one is a 4D Cinema and the other a theater in 360 degrees. The Palace also includes an electronic library and a model gallery.

Address: 52 Manas Street Phones: 8 (7172) 70 03 80/95/89 Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed Mondays) Website: http://tauelsizdik.kz The Presidential Center of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan The Presidential Center of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan is conveniently located at the edge of the Right Bank, and is easily accessible from the Left Bank. The museum boasts 143,000 artifacts related to

Upcoming Events May 23 Concert of the 5th Astana Economic Forum Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall Address: 10/1 Orynbor Street Phone: 8 (7172) 70 53 02 Show Time: Call for starting time Ma y 1 - 3 Kunshuak Festival of Children’s Creativity Zhastar Palace Address: 34 Republic Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 32 80 91 Hours: Call for hours Ma y 1 5 - 17 Kazakh Club of the Funny and Inventive (Comedy Competition) Zhastar Palace Address: 34 Republic Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 32 80 91 Show Times: 7 pm Ma y 1 7 - 19 Leila Makhat Personal Exhibition Kulanshi Modern Art Center Address: 57 Tauelsizdik Street, Palace of Peace and Harmony (6th floor) Phone: 8 (7172) 74 47 17 Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Kazakh archeology, ethnography, history, culture and arts. The “Kazakh Ethnography” collection captures the traditional lifestyles of the Kazakh people and gives visitors a closer understanding of Kazakhstan’s past and present. History comes alive in displays such as a Kazakh yurt, furniture, tableware, clothing, jewelry and many more items. The most striking and valuable exhibit is a bride’s headpiece (saukele) made in the beginning of the 19th century. One of the most interesting collections is of 135 musical instruments on loan from B.A. Sarybaev. The museum also has a library with a collection of more than 700,000 items stored in various media, and a collection of rare books dated between the 17th and the 20th centuries.

Address: 1 Respublika Avenue Phones: 8 (7172) 44 32 33/76 The Russian Drama Theater named after Maxim Gorky Although Astana is a

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May 26 Presidential Concert Celebrating the 20th Summer Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Korea Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall Address: 10/1 Orynbor Street Phone: 8 (7172) 70 53 02 Show Time: Call for starting time J une 14 Exhibition of Young Artists “Here and Now” Kulanshi Modern Art Gallery Address: 57 Tauelsizdik Street, Palace of Peace and Harmony (6th floor) Phone: 8 (7172) 74 47 17 Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am-3:00 pm J une 26-28 Charitable Festival of Classical Music “Gift to Astana” Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall Address: 10/1 Orynbor Street

young capital, it is also old enough to have a theater founded in 1899. Today it is one of the largest and most popular drama theaters, not only in Astana, but in all of Central Asia. It puts on an amazing number of performances for adults and children, including classic works of Shakespeare, Chekhov, Gogol, Mrozhek and others.

Address: 11 Jeltoksan Street Phones: 8 (7172) 32 40 53 8 (7172) 32 05 70, 8 (7172) 32 24 49 The Saken Seifullin Museum Saken Seifullin was a pioneer of modern Kazakh literature, poet and writer, and national activist. He penned controversial literature calling for greater independence of Kazakhs from Soviet and Russian power, and paid for it with his life. Deemed a “threat to the society” and a “nationalist,” Seifullin was executed in Almaty, in 1939. Today he is considered one of the most influential Kazakh thinkers of the 21st century, a major contributor to Kazakh culture and literature,

Phone: 8 (7172) 70 53 02 Show Times: Call for starting times Also Happening in Astana: May 22 -24 Fifth Annual Astana Economic Forum Many of the world’s top economic minds will gather in Astana in late May to spend three days examining and formulating solutions for the socio-economic, legal and cultural issues facing Kazakhstan. Recommendations stemming from the forum will be presented to the Kazakh government, the governments of the participating countries and the Group of 20 (G-20) nations. May 30 -31 Fourth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions This unique world event gathers religious leaders from around the globe across a broad spectrum of religions to promote religious harmony and tolerance and to formulate proposals for increasing inter-religious dialogue. Kazakhstan is an apt location for such a forum as the promotion of tolerance among the country’s many religions and ethnicities is one of the cornerstones of Kazakh society.

and a martyr for freedom. The fascinating museum memorializes his works, but also serves as a research center. Opened in 1988, it’s now called one of the “historical and spiritual centres of Kazakhstan.”

Address: 20A Ayezov Street Phone: 8 (7172)323563 Fax: 8 (7172) 32 84 67 Hours: 10am-6pm The Zhastar Palace This is a popular place for leisure activities – a concentration of the social and entertaining life of the city – and the building is a historical and architectural monument. The four-story structure building was designed to meld into one, such large complexes as an auditorium and gymnasium. After the reconstruction in 2001, the facades were redecorated with modern materials. Visually stunning, presently more than 1,000 children and adolescents are engaged in creative work here.

Address: 34 Republic Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 32 80 91

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Fitness & Banya

fternoons spent smacking your friends on the back with birch branches while nearly naked in a sauna might not be part of your current health and fitness routine, but it should be. It’s a practice passed down through hundreds of years in the region and is a favorite activity of Kazakhs throughout the country. It’s part of what is known as Banya (Russian word for sauna) culture and it’s just one of the ways you can stay fit and healthy while in the country. Banyas are an intricate part of the culture of Kazakhstan and the broader former Soviet Union. Public and private banyas are scattered throughout communities in Kazakhstan and the term refers most broadly to the concept of a steam bath. But today’s Kazakh banyas are a mix of traditional Russian, Turkish and Finnish banya where you can enjoy saunas, warm Jacuzzi-like water and cold bathing pools. Many banyas also serve

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beer. So Kazakhs spend long afternoons lounging, toasting and sweating with friends. As for smacking your associates with tree branches, it is said to improve circulation and open your pours. Upscale hotels often have a form of banya that is high on luxury but low on tradition. If you want a more traditional experience, just ask around for the favorite local public banya. If you prefer more conventional fitness methods, you’ll find plenty of modern, well-equipped health clubs in Astana and Almaty. Fitness First Health Club in Astana is among the most well equipped and has cutting edge equipment designed to target problem body areas. Almaty’s World Class Fitness center also features the latest work out machines. Whether you prefer your sweat to be exercise induced or the result of hot rocks and birch branches, you’ll find a way to stay fit in Kazakhstan.

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92 Daulet Type: Sports complex and tennis courts

Republican Bicycle Track Saryarka: Stay Fit and Enjoy the Architecture If you’re groggy from a long flight into Astana and you think you see a building-sized bicycle helmet by the side of the road on your way into the city, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is the new Republican Bicycle Track Saryarka and it’s one of the best places to keep fit while in the capital of Kazakhstan. The track is one of Astana’s multitude of unique buildings and has already hosted elite world cup level cycling competitions. But it’s also open to the public and offers state-of-the-art fitness and aquatic facilities. If you like to pump iron, you’ll find a full complement of free weights and the latest muscle-specific machines. And runners will enjoy the center’s cardio zone and equipment. One of the cycling center’s main attractions, however, is its pool and sauna area. The center offers a main 25m-by-15m lap pool and a smaller 15m-by-6m pool. The complex also features Turkish and Finnish saunas. The complex is open daily except Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Day passes cost $15 dollars and three-month memberships are available for $136 dollars. So if you’re in the mood to work up a sweat, go for a swim or just check out one of the country’s most unique and modern sports complexes, then head to the new Republican Bicycle Track.

The Daulet centre is the premier tennis complex in Kazakhstan. The training complex includes locker rooms, showers and three cafes, as well as a small hotel and sauna facilities. It boasts three stadium courts, which can seat 583, 1,201 and 2,686 spectators for tournaments. Six training courts, three of clay and three hard, are scheduled to open in December 2011.

Address: 6/3 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 44-56-24 Hours: 8:00 am-11:00 pm Emir Type: Banya This banya is located in the Astana Park hotel. Services include a pool, a Jacuzzi and showers. The facilities also include a dining-room and a billiards room.

Address: 2 Sary Arka Avenue (Left Bank) Phone: 8 (7172) 55 63 33 Hours: Around the clock URL: http://astana-park.kz Fitnation Network Type: Fitness centre The Fitnation club in Astana includes a gym, swimming pool, sparring room and studios for martial arts and fitness classes. Group classes include dancing, cycling, yoga and aerobics, among others. Finnish, Russian and Turkish saunas are available, and the spa offers massage, a sun deck and the services of a manicurist and cosmetician. Fitness programs for children are also available.

Address: 4/1 Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 23 05 95 Hours: 7:00 am-11:00 pm URL: www.fitnation.kz Fitness first Type: Fitness centre Fitness First is one of the most modern fitness facilities in the country and is divided into various zones of training such as cardiac health, power training, and personal training. The cardio zone is among the most extensive with a running track, elliptical trainers and step machines.

Address: Kabanbai Batyra Street, Asia Park mall, 2 floor Phone: 8 (7172) 97 87 77 Hours: 09:00am – 11:00pm Website: http://fitnessfirst.kz/clubs/astana/ Highvill Cultural and Community Centre Type: Fitness centre The Highvill Cultural and Community

Center includes a sports complex with a gym, running track and free weights, as well as a variety of exercise machines. Instructors are available for individual training, and clients can participate in a variety of exercise classes. The Center provides towels and slippers, and there are locker rooms and showers.

Address: 1, 23-21 Street Phone: 8 (7172) 51 32 69 Hours: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm Zhety Kazyna Type: Sauna complex This sauna complex offers three styles of saunas: Coral, Egyptian and Japanese. They also offer massage services, a spa and a VIP cottage.

Address: 18 Bogenbai Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 23 65 09 Hours: Around the clock Website: http://7kazyna.kz Keremet Type: Banya complex This is the largest banya complex in Astana. It has separate areas for men and women with their own pools. The complex includes a Finnish sauna, massage rooms and a hydro-massage area. For those seeking more privacy, there are seven VIP saunas with their own pools. For other types of relaxation, the complex also offers a café with European and Asian dishes, a billiards room and a gym.

Address: 19 Turan Avenue (Left Bank, opposite Mega Centre) Phones: 8 (7172) 79 18 00, 8 (7172) 79 18 03 Hours: 10:00 am-10:00 pm Life Fitness Astana Type: Fitness centre Life Fitness offers all the services of a well equipped fitness centre, including a gym with a variety of exercise machines, a lap pool, personal trainers, group classes and a children’s programme. For post-workout relaxation, the centre also offers two Russian baths with bathhouse services and an attendant masseur.

Address: 2 Turkestan Street Phone: 8 (7172) 79 73 73 Hours: Weekdays 7:00 am-12:00 am Weekends 9:00 am-12:00 am Website: www.life-fitness.kz Republican Bicycle Track Sary-Arka Type: Fitness / Aquatic The Republican Bicycle Track SaryArka is one of Astana’s most unique buildings. It’s shaped like a bicycle helmet and includes a state-of-

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the-art cycling track. It has hosted world cup level events and has been praised by the cycling community. But it’s also a fitness center open to the public with two pools, cardio training center and state of the art muscle training equipment. The complex also offers Turkish and Finnish saunas. Day passes are $15 dollars and three-months passes cost $136 dollars.

Address: 5 Kabanbay Batyr Ave., kilometer 5. Phone: 8 (7172) 707 179 Hours: Tues-Sun 9:00 am – 11:00 pm Rixos President Type: Banya/Spa The Rixos is one of the finest hotels in Astana and its spa and fitness facilities follow suit. A large and luxurious swimming pool helps loosen the muscles and a state of the art sauna will help you achieve ultimate relaxation. The Rixos also offers the full complement of spa services including facials, massage and other body treatments. And if you prefer more vigorous exercise, the Rixos also offers the latest in fitness equipment.

Address: 7 B Kunayev Street Phone: 8 (717) 241 38 38 Hours: 7am – midnight”

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Sharoban Type: Entertainment centre Sharoban is a largescale, modern entertainment center. It is listed here because it includes 20 bowling lanes. It also has a small café, a billiards room and karaoke club for corporate parties.

Address: 38 Seifullin Street Phone: 8 (7172) 32 67 70, 8 (7172)32 67 68 Hours: 3:00 pm – 3:00 am

ness centre in Astana. It is the number one network of clubs out of Russia, in the premium/luxury market. It is the only Russian company to be considered one of the top 25 clubs in the world. It has a fully equipped gym, swimming pool and spa.

It offers group fitness classes, including yoga and pilates, as well as personal training. The centre also has a café.

Address: 1 Pobeda Avenue (Next to the Radisson Hotel) Phone: 8 (7172) 39 13 69, 8 (701) 222 90 90 Hours: Weekdays: 7:00 am - 12:00 am Weekends 9:00 am - 12:00 am URL: www.worldclass.kz

Soluxe Hotel Astana Spa center Type: Fitness center and spa The Soluxe is one of the few places in the city where a professional Chinese masseuse applies his trade. The hotel is also planning to add stone massage services. Your massage can then be followed by the ultimate relaxation of the spa’s Finnish and traditional steam saunas. The Soluxe also offers one of the city’s largest indoor hotel pools.

Address: 27 Syganak, “Beijing Soluxe Hotel Astana” Phone: 8 (7172) 70 15 15 Hours: 10:00am – 10:00 pm Website: http://soluxe-astana.kz/ru World Class Type: Fitness centre and spa World Class is the most high-class fit-

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Hotels

Jelsomino Hotel

azakhstan gained its independence from the Soviet Union just over 20 years ago. Thirteen years ago it built an entirely new capital on the vast Asian steppe. As both the new nation and new capital grow, so too do the number and variety of hotel options available to visitors. Opened in 2012 and just a few months old at the time of publication is Astana’s Jelsomino Hotel. This 23-room boutique hotel brings Kazakh cool to another level. Each room offers a slightly different style but all share the minimalist design and understated luxury that marks cutting edge boutique hotels around the world. If hip isn’t your thing, but you still want a unique hotel experience, Almaty offers the Tau Dastarkhan Resort. Located 30 minutes outside of

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Almaty, Tau Dastarkhan is way more than just a hotel. It features four restaurants, multiple swimming pools and four luxury saunas all tucked into a leafy mountainside. It opened in 2002 and is considered one the country’s best resorts. And for Kazakhstan’s many business travelers, the new capital Astana and the country’s business center Almaty offer plenty of luxury business hotels. The Rixos Hotels in both Almaty and Astana, for example, offer full business facilities, upscale restaurants and complete spa and exercise areas. Well known names such as Hyatt and Radisson are also popping up across Kazakhstan’s larger cities. So whatever your purpose or preference while traveling in Kazakhstan, the options for where to stay in this emerging country continue to grow.

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Manhattan Astana Hotel: Classic New York City Style

Ramada Plaza Hotel Abay Hotel H H H Address: 33,Republic Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 33 01 00 Email: 330414@mail.ru Akku Hotel H H H Address: 22,Ryskulova Street Phone: 8 (7172) 32 41 99 E-mail: akky@inbox.ru Altyn Dala Hotel H H H H Address: 6 Bigeldinova Street Phone: 8(7172) 32 33 11, 8(7172) 32 77 49 E-mail: altyn_dala@mail.ru

Website: www.soluxe-astana.kz Comfort Hotel Astana H H H Address: 60 Kosmonavtov Street Phone: 8 (7172) 24 44 44 Website: http://www.comforthotel.kz Daniyar Hotel H H H Address: 11 Tauelsizdik Phone: 8 (7172) 35 02 15 Diplomat Hotel H H H H Address: 29/1, D. Kunaev Street Phone: 8 (7172) 55 00 01 Website: www.diplomathotel.kz Duman Hotel H H H H Address: 2A Kurgalzhin Road Phone: 8 (7172) 79 15 00 Everest Hotel H H H Address: 7/1, Furmanova Street Phone: 8 (7172) 34 74 75 Email: hotel@everest.kz

The owners and the designers of the Manhattan Astana Hotel were hoping to provide a little slice of the Big Apple here in Astana. And they succeeded. The Manhattan Hotel offers the unmistakable classic elegance and style of America’s most iconic city. From the classic plaid on the comfortable but formal chairs, to the cross patterned carpets, to the heavy curtains in the rooms you’ll feel like you are in the New York City of the 1950s. The Manhattan opened in July 2011 and is the first of what the owners hope will be a string of themed hotels across Kazakhstan. The hotel offers 59 rooms ranging from the Standard King to the twobedroom Royal Family Room. All are equipped with WiFi, flat screen TVs and other amenities you would expect from a modern luxury hotel. Rates range from $169 dollar to $338 dollar per night. But the Manhattan’s real value is in its unique atmosphere. Its rooms’ high ceilings, classic furniture and crisp elegance hearken back to an era before cell phones and laptops when staying in a hotel was a treat and good service was expected. But beyond its ambiance and early-days charm, the Manhattan is also a place to get things done with multiple meeting rooms for up to 10 people and a wellequipped business center with copying, scanning and faxing capabilities. And when you’re finished working, you can relax in the Manhattan’s luxury spa with sauna and massage rooms. You can also enjoy dinner in its upscale restaurant or a drink in the lobby bar. So for those who enjoy the classic style of one of the world’s most iconic cities, Manhattan is the place.

Grand Park Esil H H H H Address: 8 Beibitshilik Phone: 8 (7172) 591901 Website: www.grandparkesil.kz Imperia G Hotel H H H H Address: 63 Abay Street Phone: 8 (7172) 40 55 01 Website: www.imperia-g.kz Rixos President Astana Art Hotel H H H H Address: 42,Zheltoksan Street Phone: 8(7172) 30 20 20 E-mail: artastana@inbox.ru, artastana@gmail.com Astana Park Hotel H H H H Address: 2 Saryarka Street Phone: 8 (7172) 55 63 33 Website: www.astana-park.kz Beijing Palace Soluxe Hotel Astana H H H H H Address: 27 Sagynak Street Phone: 8 (7172) 70 15 15

Jelsomino Hotel H H H H H Address: 26 Imanova Street, “Rakhat” Residential Complex Phone: 8 (7172) 73-13-38 / 39, 8 (7011) 00 02 01 Website: www.GoodProject.kz Kaspiy Astana Hotel H H H Address: 9 Takha Husien Street Phone: 8 (7172) 22 43 54 Website: www.kaspii.kz Katon-Karagay Hotel H H Address: 18 Kuyshi Dina Street Phone: 8 (7172) 40 06 33 King Hotel Astana H H H H Address: 7 Valikhanova Street

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96 Phone: 8 (7172) 70 57 05 Website: www.kinghotelastana.com Lakki Hotel H H H Address: 32/3,Abylay Han Avenue Phone: 8(7172) 34 49 63 Email: complexlakki@mail.ru, Website: www.lakki.kz Lion Hotel H H H Address: 57,Moscovskaya Street Phone: 8 (7172) 39 46 20 Email: lion-hotel@mail.ru, Website: www.lion-hotel.kz Manhattan Hotel H H H H Address: 5 Tauelsizdik Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 36 15 36 Website: www.manastana.kz

Jelsomino Hotel: Understated Cool Hipness is like quality art. There is no real definition to describe it. You just know it when you see it. And the moment you walk into the new Jelsomino Hotel, you know this place is hip. Sleek brown walls and understated art line the lobby and the manager that greets you is dressed head to toe in black with the latest underground style baseball cap and cool, horn-rimmed glasses. But despite its sleek nature, the Jelsomino is surprisingly comfortable and strives to make its guests feel at home. The Jelsomino opened in January 2012 and is one of Astana’s newest hotels. It’s a boutique hotel in the spirit of small, independent, artistic accommodations found in the world’s major cities. Each of its 23 rooms has its own design, with slightly different colorings, art and tone. “The idea is to give a European style. To take from other countries and bring to Astana,” the hotel’s General Manager Rassul Utebayev told EdgeKz Magazine. Utebayev traveled much of the world prior to the design phase of the hotel seeking out the best practices and concepts for the Jelsomino, he said. Though each room varies slightly, they are all outfitted with WiFi, the latest flat screen TVs and sleek, minimalist style bathrooms. And all of the rooms share the sense of understated luxury that close attention to design provides. Rooms range from standard to two bedroom suites with the more expensive rooms featuring Jacuzzi tubs. Prices range from $150 to $600 dollars per night. The hotel also offers a small dining room and bar featuring a European menu and hopes to add outdoor seating in time for the spring and summer. Though the Jelsomino doesn’t have the amenities of larger hotels, such as pools or workout rooms, its charm is its quiet cool. “A lot of people like this hotel because it is very private,” said Utebayev. “We try to make it so that anyone who stays here feels at home.” So don’t worry about being hip. The Jelsomino takes care of that for you.

Mukammal Hotel H H H H Address: 53/1 Pobeda Avenue Phones: 8 (7172) 30 29 06 8 (7172) 30 29 07 Website: www.mukammal.kz Oasis Inn Hotel H H H Address: 12a, Momyshuly Avenue Phone: 8(7172) 51 25 51 Email: reservation@oasisinn.kz, Website: www.oasisinn.kz Prestige Hotel H H H Address: 1 Zheltoksan Street Phone: 8 (7172) 32 51 81 Radisson SAS Hotel H H H H H Address: 4 Sary Arka Street Phone: 8 (7172) 99 00 00 Website: www.astana.radissonsas.com Ramada Plaza Hotel H H H H H Address: 47 Abay Street Phone: 8 (7172) 39 10 00 Website: www.ramada.com Rixos President H H H H H Address: 7 B Kunayev Street Phone: 8 (7172) 24 50 50 Website: www.rixos.com Saryarka Hotel H H H Address: 36,Sembinov Street Phone: 8(7172) 34 66 75 Email: saryarka_1@mail.ru Tengri Hotel H H H Address: 1a, Vavilov Street Phone: 8 (7172)413838 Website: www.tengrihotel.kz Zhasamir Hotel H H H Address: 17 Kenesary Street Phones: 8 (7172) 32 30 95, 8 (7172) 32 33 97 Website: www.jasamir.kz

*Hotel star rating provided by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport

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Shopping

Kazakhstan’s history is long and diverse. It mixes the ancient elements of nomadic steppe culture with the modern living of bustling cities. The shopping options you’ll find in Kazakhstan’s two major cities, Astana and Almaty, reflect that diverse culture. Astana is Kazakhstan’s gleaming new city on the steppe. It’s modern, impressive and home to Kazakhstan’s best known shopping center – the Khan Shatyr. Opened in 2010, the Khan Shatyr has developed into more than a mall. It’s a place to swim, share cocktails, rock climb and huddle against the city’s cold winters. But at its core it is a shopping center where visitors will find three stories of the world’s top international fashions, best known brands and latest electronics. Not as grand, but a favorite of Astana locals is the Kazyna Shopping Cen-

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ter. This two-story mall offers fashions and home goods and is a good place to bring guests to pick up whatever they need while visiting Astana. Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty offers more traditional fare along with its modern options. On the traditional side are Almaty’s Green Bazaar, Barakholka and Adem. The Green Bazaar is a huge indoor-outdoor complex offering traditional Kazakh foods and what many would consider souvenir items. Barakholka and Adem are teeming local marketplaces where you’ll find Kazakhs buying the staples of their day. If you prefer modern convenience to local flavor, then head to Almaty’s Mega Center where you can pick up the latest leather jacket from Zara. Old and young, traditional and modern; shopping in Kazakhstan reflects the country’s rich culture.

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Asia Park This mall and entertainment center is spacious (45,000 sq. meters), up to date, has a 5-theater multiplex and a fabulous entertainment center for the kids. With 168 shops in the galleria, there are plenty of shopping opportunities. It boasts a fully-equipped Fitness First club and offers convenient middle-class shopping in a safe and friendly atmosphere.

Address: 24 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Phones: 8 (7172) 97 87 67 8 (7172) 97 86 00 Hours: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm Website: www.asiapark.kz/gorod_astana Keruen Located on the Left Bank this mall attracts the younger crowd. It includes a food court, restaurants, a full grocery

store and shops. It is considered to have the best multiplex with seven movie theaters.

Mega is family oriented and has movie theaters, a food court and restaurants.

Address: 9 Dostyk Street Phone: 8 (7172) 79 55 20 8 (7172) 79 55 22 Hours: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm Website: www.keruen.kz

Address: Kurgaldzhinskoe Highway Phone: 8 (7172) 79 18 51 Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm Website: http://astana.megacenter.kz

Khan Shatyr

This mall is for the shopping aficionado. It focuses on shopping more than entertainment and has a wide variety of brand name shops and independent boutiques. Of course, it also has cinemas and an extensive food court. But keep in mind that its culture is shopping.

The Khan Shatyr is the latest addition to the Astana shopping and entertainment scene. It has a unique design, like a large transparent tent, created to manage the extreme temperature range of the Central Asian steppe. Described as an urban-scale indoor park, shopping and entertainment venue, the shopping is upscale and varied. This is one place not to miss while in Astana.

Address: Turan Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 73 47 68 Hours: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Website: www.khanshatyr.com Mega Description: Mega is one of the first shopping malls in Astana and is still quite popular. (As part of a promotion, the mall received about 100,000 birthday wishes on stickers on the anniversary of its establishment.) Mega is shaped like a glass doughnut with a dome in the center instead of a hole. As with most malls in Astana,

Sary Arka

Address: 24 Turan Avenue Phones: 8 (7172) 51 56 06, 8 (7172) 51 55 99 Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm Website: www.saryarka.com Sine Tempore This is the oldest shopping center in the city and boats the most prestigious, and expensive, stores and boutiques. This mall is singular in that it does not have a multiplex cinema or entertainment center. The Venice Pizzeria on the premises, however, is quite popular. This mall is convenient to the Right Bank.

Address: 9 Beybitshilik Street Phone: 8 (7172) 75 38 07 Hours: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm

Empire Casa Description: This is the place to get high quality souvenirs of Kazakhstan. They have an exclusive range of products with original designs. Their products are perfect as corporate gifts or for weddings and other memorable occasions.

Address: 11 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue (Triumph Building, Section 2—for corporate clients) Phone: 8 (7172) 68 88 00 (corporate clients/office) Tulpar The Tulpar shopping center is a fourlevel mall that bills itself as the best place for home goods in Astana. And though you may not be interested in its couches and refrigerators, it is also a great place to pick up the things you’ll need for everyday living during an extended stay in Astana. If you need a new T-shirt, a new pair of running shoes, or some cough medicine, this is the place to go.

Address: 24 Valikhanova Street Phone: 8 (7172) 54 98 88 Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 9:00 pm Website: www.tulparcenter.kz Boutiques are also located in the Astana International Airport and the following malls: Mega, Keruen, Sine Tempore.

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Tulpar: The Stuff of Life Some malls are all glitz and no substance. Others give you the best in high-end furs and international brands, but you can’t find an affordable T-shirt or a mug for your morning coffee. Not Tulpar. The Tulpar shopping center is the place to go to find the stuff of everyday life. This four-level mall bills itself as Astana’s best place to find everything you need for the home and it’s the ideal shopping spot for those who are going to be in Astana for an extended visit and need to stock up on items vital to everyday living. The center has been open for many years but one and a half years ago the management that chooses the mall’s shops changed and the shopping center has been thriving since. As a home center, Tulpar offers large household items such as couches, refrigerators, beds and other necessities. But you’ll also find smaller items you might need while in Astana. You can pick up a new pair of Nike running shoes, basic clothing, sporting equipment, gifts, and groceries. You’ll also find a beauty salon and a small Italian restaurant with tasty pizza. The center is owned by the Eurasian Development Management Company which operates other malls throughout Kazakhstan and is planning additional outlets in Astana. In a nutshell, Tulpar isn’t as fancy as some of Astana’s higher-end shopping centers, but it’s a great place to find what you need to make life comfortable and convenient in Astana.

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100

A L M A T Y

CITY

GUIDE

Arts & Culture

Hotels

Fitness & Banya

Bars

CafĂŠs & Coffee Houses

Restaurants

Nightclubs

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Shopping

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101

Restaurants Price Key (per person): $ = 3000 tenge-6500 tenge $$ = 6500 tenge-9500 tenge $$$ = 9500 tenge-13,000 tenge Teatralnoye Cuisine: International / French Address: 51A Zhambyl Street Phone: +7 (727) 272 87 77 Hours: Daily noon-12 am Price range: $$$ Schwabsky Domik Cuisine: European / German Address: 121 Abylai Khan Avenue Phone: +7 (727) 261 05 14 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $$$ Naoro Cuisine: Fusion Address: 17 Abai Avenue (corner of Pushkin Street), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 291 11 45 Hours: Tues-Sat 7 pm-11 pm Price range: $$$ The Grill Restaurant Cuisine: International / American Address: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 29/6 Satpaev Street, Bostandyk District Phone: +7 (727) 250 26 63 Hours: Daily noon-3 pm and 6 pmmidnight Price range: $$$ Bellagio Cuisine: Italian Address: 197 Gornaya Street, Road to Medeo Phone: +7 (727) 250 24 09 Hours: Daily noon-midnight www.bellagio.kz Price range: $$$

Kurmangazy Street), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 291 01 90 Hours: Daily noon-11 pm Price range: $$$ Boudoir Cuisine: Fusion Address: 134 Bogenbai Batyr Avenue (corner of Abylai Khan Avenue), Almaly District Phone: +7 (727) 272 55 55 Hours: Daily noon-2 am Price range: $$$ Alasha Cuisine: Uzbek Address: 20 Ospanov Street, Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 254 07 00 Hours: Daily noon-midnight www.alasha.kz Price range: $$ Sadu Concept Store Cuisine: Mediterranean Address: Mercur Town, 3/25 Samal (Furmanov Street), Samal Microdistrict Phone: +7 (727) 271 68 65 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $$ Namedni Cuisine: Russian Address: 44 Furmanova Street (corner of Makatayev Street) Phone: +7 (727) 273 84 94 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $$ Borgo Antico Cuisine: Italian Address: 11/6 Iskendirov Street, Gornyi Gigant Phone: +7 (727) 293 51 51 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $$

Asian Wok Cuisine: Chinese / Indian Address: 248 Dostyk Avenue (corner of Kazhymukan Street), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 264 4812 Hours: Daily noon-11 pm Price range: $$ Porto Maltese Cuisine: Mediterranean Address: 109 Panfilov Street (corner of Gogol Street), Almaly District Phone: +7 (727) 273 21 78 Hours: Daily noon-11 pm Price range: $$ Primavera Cuisine: European /Japanese Fusion Address: Koktem Business Centre, 180 Dostyk Avenue (corner of Zholdasbekov Street), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 237 5087 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $$ Avlabar Cuisine: Georgian Address: Tau Dastarkhan Family Re-

Di Wang Cuisine: Japanese / Chinese Address: 75 Zhambyl Street (corner of Tchaikovskovo Street) Phone: +7 (727) 272 38 10 Hours: Daily noon-midnight www.diwang.kz Price range: $$ Bibliotheque Cuisine: European Address: 116 Dostyk Avenue (corner of Satpaev Street), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 262 61 22 Price range: $$ Safran Cuisine: Middle Eastern Address: 36 Dostyk Avenue (corner of Bogenbai Batyr Avenue), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 293 86 67 Hours: Mon-Sat noon-midnight, Sun 1 pm-midnight Price range: $$ Zhety Kazyna Cuisine: International Address: 58a Abylai Khan Avenue (entrance on Makatayev Street), Zhetisu District Phone: +7 (727) 273 25 87 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $$

Dali Restaurant Cuisine: Mediterranean Address: Zhailyau Golf Resort, Kargaly District Phone: +7 (727) 277 76 21 Hours: Daily 10 am-midnight www.zgr.kz Price range: $$$

Kishlak Cuisine: Central Asian Address: Seifullin Street Phone: +7 (727) 261 56 01 Hours: Daily noon-1 am Price range: $

Kok-Tobe Cuisine: Kazakh Address: Kok Tobe Mountain Phone: +7 (727) 295 44 44 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $$$ Thai Cuisine: Thai Address: 50 Dostyk Avenue (corner of

sort, Ili Alatau National Park, Alma Arasan Gorge. Phone: +7 (727) 270 57 29 Hours: Daily 11 am-2 am www.tau-dastarkhan.kz Price range: $$

Namedni Restaurant

Sumo San Cuisine: Japanese Address: 159 Baitursynuly Street, Bostandyk District

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102 Namedni Restaurant

Phone: +7 (727) 292 87 38 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $ Pomodor Cuisine: Italian Address: 108 Panfilov Street (corner of Bogenbai Batyr Avenue), Almaly District Phone: +7 (727) 261 83 26 Hours: Mon-Sat noon-11:30 pm Price range: $ Korea House Cuisine: Korean Address: 2 Gogol Street, Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 293 96 87 Hours: daily, noon-midnight Price range: $ Piano Bar Mardi Gras Cuisine: International Address: Palladium Restaurant Complex, 275 Furmanov Street (corner of Al-Farabi Avenue), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 260 89 00 Hours: Mon-Fri noon-3 pm www.palladium.kz Price range: $ Namaste Cuisine: Indian Address: Baitursynov Street (corner of Satpaev Street), Bostandyk District Phone: +7 (727) 292 24 84 Hours: Daily 11 am-midnight Price range: $

Zontiki Cuisine: Japanese / Korean Address: 44 Kurmangazy Street (corner of Tulebaev Street), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 272 6759 Hours: Daily 11 am-midnight Price range: $ Cooshy Sushi Cuisine: Sushi / Japanese Address: 41/15 Gogol Street (corner of Zenkov Street), Medeu District Phone: +7 (727) 273 84 62 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Price range: $

Arts & Culture Kasteyev State Museum of Arts Address: 30a Satpaev Street Phone: 8 (727) 2478356, 8 (727) 2478249 Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (closed on Mondays and last day of each month) Website: www.gmirk.kz Central State Museum Address: 44 Samal-1 Phone: 8 (727) 2644650, 8 (727) 2642200, 8 (727) 2645577 Hours: Wed-Mon: 10:00 am-6:00 pm Abai Kazakh State Opera and Ballet Theatre Address: 110 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 2727934, 8 (727) 2722042 Website: www.gatob.kz State Museum of National Musical Instruments Address: 24 Zenkov Street Phone: 8 (727) 2916326 Hours: Tue-Sun: 10:00 am-5:30 pm Art&Shock Theatre Address: 49/68 Kunayev Street Phone: 8 (727) 2735282, 8 (727) 2735282 Website: www.artishock.kz

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Lermontov Russian Drama Theatre and Tengri Umay Arts Gallery Address: 43 Abai Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 2673131, 8 (727) 2673151, 8 (727) 2673145 Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:00 am-6:00 pm Website: www.tl.kz Deutsches Theater Almaty Address: 64D, Satpayev Street Phone: 8 (727) 3920234, 8 (727) 3920233 Website: www.dta.kz Arvest Art Gallery Address: 75/68 Bogenbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 2914797 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-8:00 pm Website: www.arvest.kz

Hotels Rixos Almaty H H H H H Address: 506/99 Seifullin Street Phone: 8 (727) 300 33 00 Website: www.rixos.com InterContinental Hotel H H H H H Address: 181 Zheltoksan Street Phone: 8 (727) 250 50 00 Website: www.ichotelsgroup.com Hyatt Regency Almaty H H H H H Address: 29/6 Satpayev Street Phone: 8 (727) 250 12 34 Website: www.hyatt.com Royal Tulip Almaty H H H H H Address: 401/2, M. Ospanov Street Phone: 8 (727) 300 01 00 Website: www.royaltulipalmaty.com Dostyk Hotel H H H H H Address: 26 Kurmangazy Street Phone: 8 (727) 255 82 27 Website: http://www.dostyk.kz/en Shera Hotel H H H H Address: 281 Furmanov Street Phone: 8 (727) 313 75 75 Website: www.hotel-shera.kz

Royal Palace Hotel H H H H Address: 178 Zhansugurov Street Phone: 8 (727) 380 79 12 Website: www.hotelrp.kz Ambassador Hotel H H H H Address: 121 Zheltoksan Street Phone: 8 (727) 250 89 89 Website: www.ambassadorhotel.kz Grand Hotel Tien Shan H H H H Address: 115 Bogenbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 244 96 00 Website: www.tienshan-hotels.com Holiday Inn H H H H Address: 2D Temiryazev Street Phone: 8 (727) 244 02 55 Website: www.holidayinn.com Kazakhstan Hotel H H H H Address: 52/2 Dostyk Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 291 91 01 Website: www.kazakhstanhotel.kz Kazzhol Hotel H H H H Address: Gogol Street 127/1, Almaly Phone: 8 (727) 250 89 44 Website: www.hotelkazzhol.kz Almaty Sapar Hotel H H H H Address: 177 Zhamakaev Street Phone: 8 (727) 246 88 66 Website: www.saparhotels.com Uyut Hotel H H H H Address 127/1 Gogol Street Phone: 8 (727) 279 55 11 Website: www.hotel-uyut.kz Voyage Hotel H H H H Address: Furmanov Street, 97a Phone: 8 (727) 272 22 77 Website: www.voyage-hotel.kz Grand Hotel Eurasia H H H H Address 9a Zholdasbekov Street Phone: 8 (727) 380 80 80 E-mail: eurasia_hotel@mail.ru Parasat Hotel & Residence H H H H Address: 10 Elebekov Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 263 55 88, 8 (727) 263 55 99 E-mail: parasathotel@mail.ru

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103 Hours: Daily 7:00 am-midnight Website: www.luxor.kz Alligator Club Type: Banya Address: 1B Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 261 05 22, 8 (702) 33 222 9 Hours: Daily 24 hours Arasan Banya Type: Banya Address:78 Tulebayeva Street, on the corner of Aiteke Bi Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 272 46 71, 8 (727) 272 46 72 Hours: Tue-Sun: 8:00 am-10:0 pm. Closed Monday Fitnation Type: Fitness Center / Banya Address: 15 Respubliki Street Phone: 8 (727) 295 29 39 Hours: Daily 7:00 am-11:00 pm E-mail: sales@fitnation.kz

Rixos Hotel Grand Hotel Aiser H H H H Address: 1 Pozharskiy Street Phone: 8 (727) 296 99 99 E-mail: info@grandaiserhotel.kz

Astra Hotel H H H Address: 12 Zheltoksan Street Phone: 8 (727) 246 86 88 Website: www.astra-hotel.kz

Astana Inter Hotel H H H H Address: 113 Baitursynov Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 250 70 50, 8 (727) 250 10 60 E-mail: info@astana-hotel.com

Olympic Hotel H H H Address: 14 Sanatornaya Street Phone: 8 (727) 250 03 27, 8 (727) 299 02 44 Website: www.baganashil.kz

Hotel Premier Alatau H H H H Address: 105 Dostyk Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 258 11 11, 8 (727) 258 43 12 Website: www.alatau-hotel.kz Jeppesen Hotel H H H Address: 206B Gagarin Street Phone: 8 (727) 275 49 05 Website: www.aviaclub.kz

Fitness & Banya

Almaty Hotel H H H Address: 85 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 272 00 47 Website: www.hotel-alma-ata.com

World Class Fitness Center Type: Fitness Center Address: Mendygulov Street at Al-Farabi (between Furmanova and Dostyk) Phone: 8 (727) 250 6500, 8 (727) 250 91 15 Hours: Daily 7:00 am- midnight Website: www.worldclassfitnesscenter.net

Hotel & Resort “Altyn Kargaly” H H H Address: 204 Zhandosov Street Phone: 8 (727) 250 08 28, 8 (727) 250 08 26 Website: www.altyn-kargaly.kz

Rixos Royal SPA Type: Banya / Spa Address: 506/99 Seifullina Street Phone: 8 (727) 300 33 00, 8 (727) 300 33 33 Hours: Daily 7:00 am-midnight Website: www.rixos.com

Gold Dragon Hotel H H H Address: 402 Seifullin Avenue Phone: 8(727) 279 71 59 E-mail: litule19907@hotmail.com

Luxor Type: Spa / Banya / Fitness Center Address: 341 Dostyk Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 2677 577

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Samal Fitness Center Type: Fitness / Banya Address: 91A Samal 2 Phone: 8 (727) 265 39 10 Hours: Daily 24 hours Website: www.samaldeluxe.kz Nordik Fitness Club Type: Fitness Club Address: Tsum building. Entrance from Zhibek Zholy, inside the glass door on the right. Phone: 8 (727) 273 78 84. Hours: Daily, except Sundays, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Website: www.banzai.kz

FitCurves Type: Fitness Center / Spa Address: 15 Kaldayakov Street Phone: 8 (727) 390 60 90 Hours: Daily 7:00 am-11:00 pm Website: www.fitcurves.kz Teremok Type: Banya Address: 16 Adylova Street, Taugul-3 Microdistrict. Phone: 8 (727) 309 21 21, 309 20 20, 8 (705) 999 30 30 Hours: Daily 24 hours Barskye Zadvorki Type: Banya Address: Dostyk Avenue on the corner of Marat Ospanov Street Phone: 8 (727) 260 45 04, 8 (701) 369 81 56 Hours: Daily 24 hours Website: www.vip-sauna.kz Anira Silk Way City Type: Fitness Center / Spa Address: 142 Dzherzinsky Street, on the corner of Zheltoksan Street Phone: 8 (727) 328-62-46 Hours: Daily 7:00 am-11:00 pm Website: www.anira.kz

Oazis Type: Banya Address: 176 Altyn Besik, on the corner of Tole Bi Yassayu Phone: 8 (727) 226-07-77, 8 (701) 744-98-97 Hours: Daily 24 hours Caesa’r Club Type: Banya Address: 212 Raymbek Avenue Phone: 8 (702) 222 99 90; 8 (727) 269 94 84; 8 (727) 269 94 93 Hours: Daily 24 hours Aprofit Type: Fitness Center Address: 132 Dostyk Avenue Phone: 8(727) 264 34 35, 8 (727) 264 55 48 Hours: Daily 7:00 am-11:00 pm Website: www.aprofit.kz Bella Type: Banya Address: 106A Gurileva Street Phone: 8 (727) 234-46-74, 8 (701) 335 88 38 Hours: Daily 24 hours

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104

For Life Type: Banya Address: 208A Aimanov Street, on the corner of the Dzhandosov Street Phone: 8 (707) 333 88 84, 8 (705) 115 55 33 Hours: Daily 24 hours Car Banya Complex Type: Banya Address: 32 Rymzhanov Street, Kalkaman Microdistrict Phone: 8 (727) 393 90 94, 381 86 86, 8 (777) 809 88 33 Hours: Daily 24 hours Body Dance Type: Fitness Center / Spa Address: 47B Mynbayev Street on the corner of Auezov Street Phone: 8 (727) 375 39 92 Hours: Daily 7:00 am-11:00 pm Medved Type: Banya Address: 60 Makatayev Street, on the corner of Kunayev Street Phone: 8 (727) 297 00 00 Hours: Daily 24 hours

Night Clubs Da Freak Cuisine: European, East Address: 40 Gogol Street, Panfilov Park, Medeu District Phone: 8 (727) 273 1337 8 (727) 273 1337 Hours: Fri-Sat: Midnight-6:00 am Gas Cuisine: European Address: 100 Seifullin Avenue (corner of Shevchenko), Almaly District

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Phone: 8 (727) 272 7474, 8 (727) 272 7474 Hours: Mon: 10:00 pm-6:00 am, Wed-Fri: 10:00 pm-7:00 am, Sat: 10:00 pm – 9:00 am. Closed Tuesdays. Petroleum Cuisine: European, East, Japanese Address: 100 Seifullin Avenue (corner of Shevchenko), Almaly District Phone: 8 (727) 272 7474, 8 (727) 272 7474 Hours: Daily 10:00 pm-6:00 am Cuba Cuisine: European, East Address: 102 Bogenbai Batyr Avenue (corner of Dostyk Avenue), Almaly District Phone: 8 (727) 291 2932, 8 (727) 291 2932, 8 (727)291 4310 Hours: 24 hours daily, live music Thur-Sat: at 10:00 pm Most Cuisine: European, East Address: 12 Kommunalnaya Street (corner of Seifullin Street), Zhetisu District Phone: 8(727) 233 0457, 8 (727) 233 0457 Hours: Fri -Sat: Midnight-9:00 am Website: www.most-club.kz Rai Cuisine: Japanese Address: Tselini Cinema, Kabanbai Batyr Avenue (corner of Masanchi Street), Almaly Disctrict Phone: 8 (701) 687 9587 , 8 (701) 687 9587 Hours: Lounge Thur-Sat: 8:00 pm-6:00 am. Nightclub Thur - Fri: 11:00 pm-6:00 am

Medeu District Phone: 8 (727) 263 3266, 8 (727) 263 3266 Hours: Fri -Sat: 11:00 am-5:00 pm Metro Cuisine: European, Russian, Japanese Address: 2b Zhandosov Street (corner of Baizakov Street), Central District Phone: 8 (727) 247 8166, 8 (727) 247 8166 Hours: Daily noon-5:00 am, Fri -Sat: until 7:00 am Website: www.metro-club.kz

Shopping Mega Center Address: 247A Rozybakiyev Street Phone: 8(727) 232 25 01 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-10:00 pm Website: www.almaty.megacenter.kz Ramstore Trade Center Address: 226 Furmanov Street Phone: 8 (717) 258 75 80, 8 (727) 258 75 81 Hours: Daily 9:00 am-11:00 pm Website: www.ramstore.kz Zangar, also known as Tsum Address: 62 Abylay Khan Street Phone: 8 (727) 273 29 51, 8 (727) 273 06 30 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-9:00 pm

Esperanza Cuisine: East, European, Kazkah, Turkish Address: 481 Seifullin Street (corner of Raiymbek Avenue), Zhetisu District Phone: 8 (727) 299 6699, 8 (727) 299 6699 Hours: Daily 10:00 pm-6:00 am

Barakholka and Adem Address: Take a ‘Barakholka’ bus headed down Rozybakiyev Street from Raimbek Street Phone: Adem: 8 (727) 270 66 66, 8 (727) 270 66 22 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Closed Mondays.

Tornado Cuisine: European, Italian, Japanese Address: Assorti Restaurant, 106G Dostyk Avenue (corner of Abai Avenue),

Zelyony Bazar, also known as Green Bazaar Address: Intersection of Zhibek Zholy Street and Zenkov Street – one street

down from the St. Ascension Cathedral (also known as Zenkov Cathedral) Hours: Daily 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Closed Sundays. Stolichny Address: 121 Abylay Khan Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 266 55 05, 8 (266) 55 15 Hours: Daily 24 hours

Bars Cinzano Address: 109b Dostyk Avenue (corner of Kazhymukan Street), Medeu District Phone: 8 (727) 253 13 45 Hours: Daily, noon-8:00 am Di Wang Lounge Bar Address: 75 Jambyl Street (corner of Tschaikovskovo Street) Phone: 8 (727) 272 38 10 Hours: Sun-Wed: 11:00 am-last customer, Thur-Sat: 9:00 pm-last customer Website: www.diwang.kz Dublin Pub Address: 45 Bayseyitova Street Phone: 8 (727) 272 14 75 Hours: Daily 11:00 am-1:00 am Euphoria Address: 29/6 Satpayev Street, Hyatt Regency Hotel Phone: 8 (727) 226 18 08 Hours: Mon-Wed: 5:00 pm-2:00 am, Thur-Sun: 5:00 pm-5:00 am

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105

Cafés & Coffee Houses 4A Coffee Address: 81 Zhibek Zholy Street Phone: 8 (727) 271 82 37 Hours: Daily 8:00 am-9:00 pm Website: www.4acoffee.com Gloria’s Jeans Cafe Guinness Pub Address: 71 E Dostyk Avenue, near Hotel Kazakhstan Phone: 8 (727) 291 55 85 Hours: 11:00 am-2:00 am

Nirvana Bar Address: Building 2, Dostyk Avenue (Satpaev), Samal Microdistrict Phone: 8 (727) 264 74 50 Hours: Daily noon-midnight

GQ Asia bar Address: 248 Dostyk Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 387 04 03 Hours: Mon-Wed: 5:00 pm-2:00 am, ThurSat: 5:00 pm-4:00 am

OXO Lounge Bar Address: 67a Gabdullin St (Auezov), Bostandyk Phone: 8 (727) 275 62 53 Hours: Daily 6:00 pm-5:00 am

La Fete Address: 44 Kurmangazy Street (corner of Furmanov Street, downstairs in the Hall of Receptions building), Medeu District Phone: 8 (727) 272 78 37 Hours: Daily 6:00 pm-2:00 am

Posh Bar Address: Mercur Town, 3/25 Al-Farabi (corner of Furmanov Street), Samal Microdistrict Phone: 8 (727) 266 39 96 Hours: Daily 9:00 am-last customer

Line Brew Address: 187 Furmanov Street (corner of Abai Avenue), Bostandyk District Phone: 8 (727) 250 79 85 Hours: Daily 12:00 am-last customer

San Siro Address: 117 Bogenbay Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 272 05 94 Hours: Daily 24 hours

Mad Murphy’s Address: 12 Tole Bi Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 291 28 56 Hours: Daily 11:30 am-1:00 am Members Bar Address: 181 Zheltoksan Street, InterContinental Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 250 50 00 Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:00 pm-2:00 am Nice Bar Address: 29 Volodarskogo Street Phone: 8 (727) 292 38 25 Hours: Daily, 12:00 am-2:00 am

L’Affiche Address: 83 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 272 10 92 Hours: Daily 11:00 am-1:00 am Coffeedelia Address: 79 Kabanbai Batyr Avenue Phone: 8 (727) 273 23 94 Hours: Daily 8:00 am-12:00 pm Marrone Rosso Address: 149 Furmanov Street Phone: 8 (727) 261 39 54 Hours: 8:00 am – midnight Website: www.marronerosso.com “Segafredo Zanetti” cafe Address: 46 Dostyk Avenue (corner of Zhambul Street) Phone: 8 (727) 291 02 27

Hours: Daily 9:00 am-midnight Website: www.segafredo.kz Cafe Coffee and Toffee Address: 44 Shevchenko Street Phone: 8 (727) 261 74 16 Hours: Daily 9:00 am-11:30 pm Madlen Address: 115 Ablay Khan Avenue (at the corner of Karasay Batyr Street) Phone: 8 (727) 272 23 86 Hours: Daily 9:00 am-1:00 am Website: www.madlen.kz Cafemax Address: 176 Zhibek Zholy Street (between Kunayev and Furmanov Streets) Phone: 8 (727) 273 95 53 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-9:00 pm Website: www.cafemax.kz “Lounge Bar 29” Phone: 8 (727) 291 97 37 Hours: Daily 9:00 am-2:00 am Gloria Jeans Address: 133 Abylay Khan Avenue (at the corner of Bogenbay Batyr Avenue) Phone: 8 (727) 321 04 88 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-midnight Website: www.gloriajeanscoffees.com

Shtab Phone: 8 (727) 272 24 40 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-midnight Soho Address: 65 Kazybek Bi Avenue (corner of Furmanov Street) Phone: 8(727) 267 03 67 Hours: Daily 9:00 am-3:00 am Website: www.soho.kz Stylish Dog Address: Café Max Internet-Center, 1A Timiryazev Street, Bostandyk District Phone: 8 (727) 260 98 88 Hours: Daily noon-midnight Website: www.cafemax.kz Tinkoff Address: 27a Satpaev Street (corner of Masanchi Street), Bostandyk District Phone: 8 (727) 292 49 00 Hours: Daily noon-2:00 am Website: www.tinkoff.ru Vitalita Address: 63 Tole Bi Avenue (corner of Zheltoksan Street) Phone: 8 (727) 272 74 61 Hours: Daily 10:00 am-last customer

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107

Useful Information i

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108 PRACTICAL

INFORMATION WHEN IN KAZAKHSTAN

Climate Kazakhstan’s distance from the ocean and its vast territory affect the country’s climate. The weather and temperature can vary dramatically based on geography and time of year. Also beware of the wind from the steppe, which can make a huge difference in how the temperature feels. Average temperatures for the two main cities are:

Astana January, -17°C (1°F) July, 20°C (68°F)

Almaty January, -6°C (21°F) July, 24°C (75°F)

Making Telephone Calls in Kazakhstan Making telephone calls in Kazakhstan can be a little confusing for the new visitor. Here are some instructions that will, hopefully, make it a little easier. Local Calls If you are calling locally how you dial will depend on whether you are using a land line or a cellular phone. If you are calling a land line from a land line, it is easy. Simply dial the local number (last six digits). If you are calling a land line from a cell phone, you must dial the prefix: 8 + the city code (7172 for Astana) and then the local number. If you are calling a cell phone from a land line or another cell phone, you must also dial the prefix: 8 + the cell company code + the number

KAZAKHSTAN

Cellular Communications Companies Kazakhstan cell phone companies operate on a prepaid system. A SIM card can be purchased (GSM network) providing a local cell number. As credit runs out, it can be replenished easily by purchasing more via electronic dispensers throughout the city. They are located mainly in supermarkets, convenience stores and major shopping centers. Credit can also be purchased on scratch cards and loaded onto a cell phone by entering the code. No monthly billing plans exist in Kazakhstan at this time.

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International calls If you are calling abroad from Kazakhstan: Dial for international access (810) + the country code + the regional code (if any) + the local telephone number. To call Kazakhstan from abroad: Dial the code for international access + Kazakhstan’s country code (7) + the Kazakhstan city code + the Kazakhstan local telephone number. Kazakhstan Dialing Codes: Almaty region: 727, 728 Astana city dial code: 717

4/10/12 1:07:25 PM

PRACTICAL INFORMATION WHEN IN KAZAKHSTAN 109 News About Kazakhstan and the region

There are a variety of websites in Kazakh, Russian and English with information on Kazakhstan. We have listed many of the websites that include an English language version here. If the site does not immediately open into an English language version, look for the “Eng” button. Not all the websites will have everything translated into English, but most have sufficient information to make the sites useful.

www.centralasianewswire.com (ENG) Leading English language newswire covering Central Asia

General Information: www.EdgeKz.com Edge Magazine www.kazakhstanlive.com International Information Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan www.visitkazakhstan.com/en/ Official Tourism website of the Committee of Tourism Industry Kazakh Government Websites: www.akorda.kz www.akorda.kz/en (ENG) Official site of the President of the Republic www.mfa.kz Official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

http : / / w w w.

Useful Websites

www.mts.gov.kz www.mts.gov.kz/?lang=en (ENG) Official site of the Agency for Sport and Physical Culture www.parlam.kz www.parlam.kz/Information.aspx?lan=en-US (ENG) Official site of Parliament www.government.kz www.en.government.kz/ (ENG) Official site of the government www.almaty.kz www.almaty.kz/page.php?lang=2 (ENG) Official site of the city of Almaty www.astana.kz http://en.astana.kz/ (ENG) Official site of the city of Astana www.astana-almaty2011.kz www.astana-almaty2011.kz/en.html (ENG) Official site of the Astana-Almaty 2011 Asia Winter Games

Tourism and Leisure: www.restoran.kz www.restoran.kz/en (ENG) Restaurant information for Astana and Almaty www.realkz.com www.realkz.com/page.php?lang=2 (ENG) Cities, hotels, restaurants in Kazakhstan www.kaztour-association.com (RUS) Kazakhstan Tourist Association www.centralasia.travel (ENG) Central Asia Travel guide www.eco-tourism.kz www.eco-tourism.kz/index.php?lng=eng (ENG) Kazakhstan Ecotourism

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www.inform.kz www.inform.kz/eng (ENG) Official site of KazInform Information agency

www.khabar.kz Official site of Khabar News Agency www.kazpravda.kz www.kazpravda.kz/l/eng (ENG) Official site of the “KazPravda” daily newspaper

www.astanatimes.kz Official site of the Englishlanguage monthly newspaper The Astana Times out of Astana, updated regularly.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AS OF March 27, 2012 USD EUR RUB AUD GBP BYR HUF DKK AED CAD CNY KWD KGS LVL LTL MDL NOK PLN SAR XDR SGD TJS TRY UZS UAH CZK SEK CHF EEK ZAR KRW JPY

TENGE 147,66 194,90 5,06 154,19 233,38 0,02 0,66 26,21 40,20 147,81 23,39 530,96 3,17 280,03 56,47 12,51 25,59 47,06 39,37 227,67 116,93 31,03 82,08 0,08 18,40 7,90 21,82 161,71 12,48 19,15 12,93 1,78

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110 TRANSPORTATION

& TRAVEL

ASTANA

Weather Essentials

CAR RENTAL COMPANIES Transport Company Riksha Address: 25 Bogenbay Street, office 29 Phone: 8 (7172) 62 72 60 8 (701) 441 75 57

ASTANA Month Low Jan 1°F / -17°C Feb -1F° / -18°C Mar 10°F / -12°C Apr 32°F / 0°C May 46°F / 8°C Jun 56F° / 13°C Jul 59°F / 15°C Aug 55°F / 13°C Sept 45°F / 7°C Oct 33°F / 0°C Nov 16°F / -9°C Dec 5°F / -15°C

High 13°F / -11°C 14°F / -10°C 26°F / -4°C 50°F / 10°C 67°F / 20°C 78°F / 25°C 80°F / 27°C 76°F / 25°C 65°F / 18°C 49°F / 9°C 18°F / -12°C 16°F / -9°C

Hertz Caspian Project Supply Company Address: 6/1 Kabanbay Street Phone: 8 (7172) 58 00 56 8 (7172) 58 04 84

GENERAL

AIRLINES

Astana International Airport Address: Airport 14 OS Phone: 8 (7172) 70 29 99 Website: www.astanaairport.kz

Lufthansa Phone: 8 (7172) 28 64 92 8 (7172) 28 64 93 Hours: Mon-Wed-Sat 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Tue-Thurs-Sun 11:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Train Station Address: Privokzalnaya square Phone: 8 (7172) 105 8 (7172) 38 07 07 8 (7172) 38 33 33 Bus Station Address: Privokzalnaya square Phone: 8 (7172) 39 85 04 8 (7172) 30 35 49

Taxis Arba taxi Phone: 8 (7172) 31 57 13 Hours: Around the clock Green Eyed Taxi Phone: 8 (7172) 34 44 94 Hours: Around the clock Pegasus XXI taxi Phone: 8 (7172) 37 24 24, 8 (7172) 37 18 18 Hours: Around the clock Samal taxi Phone: 8 (7172) 22 22 22, 8 (7172) 22 18 82 Hours: Around the clock Metropolitan taxi LLP Phone: 8 (7172) 32 02 20, 8 (701) 785 57 37 Hours: Around the clock Transport company Riksha VIP taxi Phone: 8 (7172) 62 72 60 8 (701) 441 75 57 Hours: Around the clock Elite taxi Phone: 8 (7172) 34 10 10 8 (701) 610 23 23

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Turkish Airlines Phone: 8 (7172) 77 70 20 8 (7172) 77 70 21 Hours: 11:00 pm-7:00 am Transaero Phone: 8 (7172) 31 70 40 8 (7172) 31 83 50 Hours: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Pulkovo Phone: 8 (7172) 21 69 17 8 (7172) 21 69 18 Hours: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Weekend 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Aerosvit Phone: 8 (7172) 50 82 74 Hours: Round the clock Belavia Phone: 8 (7172) 23 98 48 8 (7172) 23 98 25 Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Air Astana Phone: 8 (7172) 59 14 21 8 (7172) 59 14 22 Hours: 9:00 am – 8:30pm Austrian Airlines Phone: 8 (7172) 28 64 82 8 (7172) 39 00 00 Hours: Round the clock

Bastion.kz Address: 166 Omarov Street Phone: 8 (7172) 34 70 70 8 (7172) 34 70 68 8 (7172) 54 49 63 TANDAU ST Address: 16/1 Maylin Street Phone: 8 (7172) 34 46 65 8 (7172) 34 46 65 VIPCAR KZ Address: 13 Auezov Street Phone: 8 (7172) 47 81 87 8 701 777 93 53 DanZamir Address: 7 Seifullin Street, office 27 Phone: 8 (701) 918 69 17 8 (7172) 23 61 05 KazGPS Address: 19 Imanov Street, office 406B Phone: 8 (7172) 78 74 17 8 (7172) 78 74 18 8 (702) 46 74 538 OKAN Intercontinental Astana Address: 47 Abay Street Phone: 8 (7172) 39 10 00 Rent a Car Astana Address: 40 Auezov Street, office 211 Phone: 8 (7172) 77 96 90 8 (701) 933 26 80 Zhas Kala Address: 1A Mozhayskiy Street Phone: 8 (7172) 54 18 19 Green Spedition International Transport Company Phone: 8 (705) 118 49 18 OKAN Intercontinental Address: 113 Abay Street Phone: 8 (7172) 39 10 00

Berkut Phone: 8 (7172) 75 21 05 Hours: 9:00 am-6:00 pm Zhetyssu Phone: 8 (7172) 94 63 22 8 (7172) 94 62 96 Hours: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION WHEN IN ASTANA

111

Courier Services BaidEx Address: 12 Momushuly Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 45 79 16, 8 (700) 459 87 47, 8 (707) 323 50 25

Astana Cellular Communications Companies Active Locations: 2 Pervaya Street and 21 Barayeva Street Phone: 8 (727) 258 80 00, for mobile 7070 (free of charge) URL: http://www.activ.kz/ Hours: 24 Beeline Phone: 8 (727) 350 05 00 URL: http://mobile.beeline.kz/ Dalacom Address: 5 Republic Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 59 17 00 URL: http://www.dalacom.kz Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Sat 10:00 am-2:00 pm Kcell Location: Astana, Kabanbai-Batyr ave., 10 Phone: 8 (7172) 24 40 07 ext. 5007 URL: http://www.kcell.kz/ Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am-8:00 pm Sat - 9:00 am-6:00 pm Sun - 11:00 am-6:00 pm Parthword Location: 30 Republic Avenue Phone 8 (7172) 59 17 00, 8(7172) 21 77 77 URL: http://www.pathword.kz/ Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am-6:00 pm Sat 10:00 am-6:00 pm

ASTANA Emergency Services Police Landline: 102 Mobile: 102 Rescue Service Landline: 112 Mobile: 112 Astana firefighting and accident rescue operations service Landline: 101 Mobile: 101 Astana City Medical Emergency Service Landline: 103 Mobile: 103

Direct Delivery Address: 12a Kazhymukan Street 9th floor Phone: 8 (7172) 55 62 62 Mobile: 8 (707) 782 22 18 URL: http://www.dd.kz/ FedEx Address: 38 Tulebaev Street Phone: 8 (7273) 56 38 00 URL: http://fedex.com/kz/ Garant Post Service Address: 9 Lomonosov Street, # 203 Phone: 8 (7172) 215-458 URL: http://www.gpserv.kz/ Pony Express Tel.: 8 (727) 258 33 33, 8 (727) 317 26 26 URL: http://www.ponyexpress.kz/

General Information for Astana Landline: 109 Mobile: 109 Service “051” (Directory Assistance) Landline: 051 Mobile: 109 Department for Emergency Situations (Astana) Landline: 32 31 98 Mobile: 8 (7172) 32 31 98 Fire Department of Astana City Landline: 37 41 74 Mobile: 8 (7172) 37 41 74 Astana City Telecommunication Center (Astanatelecom) Landline: 58 07 61 Mobile: 8 (7172) 58 0761 Astana City International Airport (information) Landline: 77 70 50 Mobile: 8 (7172) 77 70 50 Railway Station (information) Landline: 93 39 26 Mobile: 8 (7172) 93 39 26 Bus Station (information) Landline: 38 11 35, 39 85 04 Mobile: 8 (7172) 38 11 35

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ALMATY CONSULATES

113

Consulate of Afghanistan

Consulate of Germany

Consulate of Lithuania

Address: 2 Sholnik microdistrict, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 227 23 90

Address: 62 Kosmonavtov Street Phone: 8 (727) 262 83 41 46/49 E-mail: info@almaty.diplo.de www.almaty.diplo.de

Address: 15 Iskanderovo Street, Gorny Gygant Phone: 8 (727) 263 10 40 http://kz.mfa.lt

Consulate of Hungary

Address: 9A Rubinshtein Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 333 44 83/4/5 E-mail:mwalmaty@nursat.kz malalmaty@kln.gov.my

Consulate of Australia Address: 174B Furmanov Street, 3rd Floor, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 261 51 60 E-mail: ahc.kaz@gmail.com http://www.russia.embassy.gov.au

Consulate Belgium Address: 117/86 Kazybek Bi Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 260 68 63 E-mail: belconsul@nursat.kz

Consulate of Britain Address: Samal-2 microdistrict, 97 Zholdasbekov Street , building 2A, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 250 61 91/92 e-mail: AlmatyVizaGeneral@fco.gov.uk

Consulate of China Address: 12 Baitasov Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 270 02 21

Consulate of Czech Republic Address: 5 Al-Fara bi Avenue, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 277 70 93 e-mail: commerce_almaata@mzv.cz

Address: 4 Musabayev Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 255 13 08, 8 (727) 258 18 36 E-mail: mission.ala@kum.hu

Consulate of India Address: 71 Maulenov Street, 3rd floor, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 278 44 55/65 Email: cons.almaty@mea.gov.in

Consulate of Italy Address: 41 Kazybek bi Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 266 36 09

Consulate of Japan Address: 41 Kazybek bi Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 298 06 00

Consulate of Korea

Address: 15 Teplichnaya Street Phone: 8 (727) 263 96 95

Address: 52a Ivanilov Street, Gornyi Gigant, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 263 26 60/91, 8 (727) 263 29 89, 8 (727) 263 62 28/29 E-mail: embassy_news@mail.ru

Consulate of France

Consulate of Kyrgyzstan

Address: 173Furmanov Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 258 25 04/08, 8 (727) 258 21 81 E-mail: ambafrance@mail.ru

Address: 30A Lugansky Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 264 22 12 E-mail: consul.agencykg@mail.kz

Consulate of Egypt

Embassy of Malaysia

Consulate of Netherlands Address: 103 Nauryzbay batyr Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 250 37 73 E-mail: alm@minbuza.nl

Consulate of Poland Address: 9 Jarkentskaya Street, Gornyi Gigant Phone: 8 (727) 258 16 17; 8 (727) 258 15 51 E-mail: ambpol@poland.kz, polkonsulat@poland.kz

Consulate of the Russian Federation

Consulate of Spain Address: 20A Kazybek bi Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 293 02 40, 8 (727) 293 02 66 E-mail: almaty@mcx.es

Consulate of Tajikistan

Address: 4 Jandosov Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 274 50 87, 8 (727) 274 61 22 E-mail: gcrusalmaata@gmail.com

Address: 16 Sanatornaya Str eet, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 269 70 59 E-mail: tajemb_almaty@ok.kz

Consulate of Singapore

Consulate of Turkey

Address: 21 Koktem-3, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 270 45 61 E-mail: Singapore@nationalbank.kz

Address: 29 Tole bi Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 278 41 65/77 E-mail: almatyturkbe@gmail.com

Consulate of Slovakia

Consulate of Turkmenistan

Address: Almaty region, Energetic village, 1A Tikhii, Phone: 8 (727) 297 74 43 E-mail: obeo.almaty@mail.ru

Address: 137 Furmanov Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 272 69 44

Consulate of Ukraine Address: 13a Makatayev Street, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 230 16 00

Consulate of United States of America Address: 97 Zholdasbekov Street, Samal-2b district, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 250 76 12

Embassy of Uzbekistan Address: 36 Baribayev Street Phone: 8 (727) 291 78 86 Consulate phone: 8 (727) 291 02 35 E-mail: emb-Uzbekistan@mail.ru

Consulate of Yemen Address: 20B Begalin Street Phone: 8 (727) 291 99 72 E-mail: yemen@nursat.kz

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114 TRANSPORTATION

Weather Essentials ALMATY Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Low 17°F / -8°C 19°F / -7°C 29°F / -2°C 43°F / 6°C 52°F / 11°C 60°F / 16°C 65°F / 18°C 62°F / 17°C 53°F / 11°C 40°F / 5°C 30°F / -1°C 22°F / -6°C

High 33°F / 0°C 35°F / 2°C 46°F / 8°C 62°F / 17°C 71°F / 22°C 81°F / 27°C 86°F / 30°C 85°F / 29°C 75°F / 24°C 61°F / 16°C 46°F / 8°C 36°F / 2°C

& TRAVEL

GENERAL

AIRLINES

Almaty International Airport Address: 2 Beimbet Mailin Street, Almaty 050039 Phone: 8 (727) 270 33 33 www.almatyairport.com

Air Astana Phone: 8( 727) 258 41 35, 258 41 36, 244 44 77, 259 87 03 Hours: 9 am-8:30 pm www.airastana.com

Almaty - 2 Train Station Address: 1 Abilai Khana Prospekt Phone: +7 (727) 296 15 44

Air Travel System Phone: 8 (727) 272 27 02, 272 26 99 Hours: 9 am-7 pm www.czechairlines.com

Almaty - 1 Train Station Address: 1 Seifullin Street Phone: +7 (727) 296 33 92 Almaty Bus Station Address: 73 Mate Salki Street Phone: 8 (727) 226 26 44, 226 14 91, 225 08 87 Almaty Sayran Bus Station Address: 294 Tole bi Phone: 8 (727) 276 26 44, 276 26 77

Taxis AZIA Taxi Phone: +7 (727) 299 49 49 Hours: 24 hours Garage Taxi Phone: +7 (727) 276 29 07, 299 90 00 Hours: 24 hours www.garage999.kz Hertz Taxi and Car Rental Phone: +7 (727) 245 88 03 Hours: 24 hours www.hertz.kz Mega Taxi Phone: +7 (727) 233 31 11 Hours: 24 hours Almaty Taxi Phone: +7 (727) 255 53 33 Hours: 24 hours Service-Taxi Phone: +7 (727) 230 22 03 Hours: Around the clock Taxi Profi Phone: +7 (727) 270 70 70 Hours: 24 hours www.taxiprestige.kz Ekipazh Plus Phone: +7 (727) 270 08 88 Hours: 24 Hours Express Taxi Phone: +7 (727) 260 06 00 Hours: 24 hours www.express-taxi.kz Elit Taxi Phone: +7 (727) 278 03 33 Hours: 24 hours www.nettaxi.kz

114-115_PRACTICAL_INFO_ALMATY.indd 114

ALMATY

Air Control Phone: 8 (727) 244 15 90 Hours: 9 am-7 pm www.aircontrol.kz Asiana Airlines Phone: 8 (727) 270 32 34, 270 32 35 Hours: 9 am-7 pm www.flyasiana.com Brauch Office of Lufthansa Cargo Ag in Kz Phone: 8 (727) 388 89 32 Hours: 9 am- 8 pm www.lhcargo.com

BMI Phone: 8 (727) 25 050 52, 272 40 40 Hours: 9 am-6 pm www.flybmi.com East Wing Phone: 8(727) 250 55 42 Hours: 9am- 6pm

CAR RENTAL COMPANIES Dimal Car Rental – Almaty Address: 6 Rozybakiev street 125/1 office 15, Pushkin street 23 office 6 Phone: 8 (727) 275 11 73 www.dimal.kz Dixie Travel Address: 29 Zheltoksan Street, office 3 Phone: 8 (727) 279 28 08, 327 10 10 http://dixie.kz

British Midland Airways Phone: 8 (727) 272 40 40 Hours: 3am-8 pm www.flybmi.com

ASAP Car Address: 92 Panfilov, office 60 Phone: 8 (727) 234 78 39, 8 (777) 270 91 87

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Kazakhstan Phone: 8 (727) 377 88 77 Hours: 9 am-7 pm www.carlsonwagonlit.kz

Autodom Address: 273A Furmanova Phone: 8 (727) 244 34 81 http://autodom-t.kz

China Southern Airlines Phone: 8 (727) 250 94 85 Hours: 9 am-7 pm www.cs-air.com Clintondale Aviation Phone: 8 (727) 257 45 14, 383 83 96 Hours: 9 am-6 pm www.clintondale.com Etihad Airways Phone: 8 (727) 330 30 00 Hours: 9 am-7 pm www.etihadairways.com KlM Royal Dutch Airlines Phone: 8 (727) 250 77 47, 330 21 42 Hours: 9 am-7 pm www.klm.kz Branch Office of Lufthansa Cargo Ag in Kz Phone: 8 (727) 388 89 32 Hours: 9 am-8 pm www.lhcargo.com Turkish Airlines Phone: 8(727) 250 62 20, 333 38 49, 250 62 19 Hours: 9am-8pm www.thy.com

Dilizhans Address: 185 Baizakova Phone: 8 (327) 268 37 22, 8 (333) 216 55 26 www.diligence-kz.narod.ru Almaty International Airport Address: 2 Beimbet Mailin Street, the 1st level Phone: 8 (727) 270 33 33 www.almatyairport.com ARD Kazkhstan Address: 208 Zharokova Phone: 8 (727) 329 43 49 www.ard-ts-kz.ucoz.ru Prestige Taxi Address: 262 Kazybayeva Street, Kulager district Phone: 8 (727) 270 70 70 www.taxiprestige.kz Hertz Address: 42 Timiryazeva, 15/3B office Phone: 8 (727) 245 88 03, 245 88 51, 8 (777) 355 66 55 www.hertz.kz Exotic Limo Address: 53 Dostyk Street Phone: 8 (727) 291 62 90

4/10/12 12:59:33 PM

ALMATY EMERGENCY SERVICES

Almaty cellular Communications Companies

Fire prevention - 101 Police - 102 Ambulance - 103 Gas service - 104 Rescue - 112 or 051

Kcell Address: Samal-2, 100 - Kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;cell Main Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-8 pm, Sat 9 am-6 pm http://kcell.kz

Referral Services Almaty International Airport 006 or 155 Railroad Station Almaty one 105, 8 (727) 296 33 92 Railroad Station Almaty two 8 (727)296 15 44 Bus station Sayran 8 (727) 276 26 44 Bus station Sayakhat 8 (727) 230 25 29 Evacuator (angels.kz) 8 (727) 233 13 42 Free phone referral service 8 (727) 327 00 98 Free phone referral service - 080 Address bureau - 8 (727) 254 46 96 Lost-property office 8 (727) 292 14 39, 8 (727) 328 22 33 Chargeable phone referral service 088 or 177

114-115_PRACTICAL_INFO_ALMATY.indd 115

Activ Address: 2G Timiryazev Street Phone: 8 (727) 258-80-00 Hours: 24 hours Mobile: 3030 http://activ.kz Dalacom Address: 115/105 Kunayeva Street Phone: 8 (727) 259 77 00 Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-7 pm http://dalacom.kz Beeline Address: 55 Tole bi Street Phone: 8 (727) 350 05 00, 8 (727) 350 06 00 Hours: Daily 9 am-8 pm Mobile: 0611 http://mobile.beeline.kz

PRACTICAL INFORMATION WHEN IN ALMATY

115

Courier Services BaidEx Address: 12 Momushuly Avenue Phone: 8 (7172) 45 79 16, 8 (700) 459 87 47, 8 (707) 323 50 25 Direct Delivery Address: 12a Kazhymukan Street 9th floor Phone: 8 (7172) 55 62 62 Mobile: 8 (707) 782 22 18 URL: http://www.dd.kz/ FedEx Address: 38 Tulebaev Street Phone: 8 (7273) 56 38 00 URL: http://fedex.com/kz/ Garant Post Service Address: 9 Lomonosov Street, # 203 Phone: 8 (7172) 215-458 URL: http://www.gpserv.kz/ Pony Express Tel.: 8 (727) 258 33 33, 8 (727) 317 26 26 URL: http://www.ponyexpress.kz/

Pathword Address: 115/105 Kunayeva Phone: 8 (727) 259 77 00, 8(727) 258 17 77 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7 pm

4/10/12 12:59:35 PM

116 DIPLOMATIC

MISSIONS

(Please note: the telephone numbers listed here are for dialing in Astana from a cell phone. For more information on making telephone calls, please see the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Practical Information When in Kazakhstanâ&#x20AC;? section.)

Embassy of Afghanistan 2,3 Karaotkel Microdistrict, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 57 14 42/43/44 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 04 54 E-mail: Af_embassyalmaty@yahoo.com Website: www.afghanembassy.kz Consular section: 21 Dubok, 2nd Microdistrict, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 255 6324 Fax: +7 (7272) 255 5663

Embassy of Armenia 19 Kyz Zhibek Street Komsomolski Microdistrict, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 40 20 15/17 Fax: +7 (7172) 40 19 70 E-mail: armeniaemb.kz@gmail.com

Embassy of Canada 34 Karasay Batyr Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 250 11 51 Fax: +7 (7272) 258 24 93 E-mail: almat@international.gc.ca Office in Astana: 6 Sary Arka Street Phone: +7 (7172) 79 30 64 Fax: +7 (7172) 79 30 69

Embassy of Austria 62 Kosmonavtov Street, 9th floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 97 78 69/78/79 Fax: +7 (7172) 97 78 50 E-mail: astana-ob@bmeia.gv.at Diplomatic Town, B-6, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 15 81 +7 (7172) 24 10 97 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 15 32 E-mail: astana@azembassy.kz General Consulate: 12, 4th Microdistrict, Aktau Phone: +7 (7292) 33 67 06/07

62 Kosmonavtov Street, 3rd Floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 97 44 85/86 Fax: +7 (7172) 97 78 49 E-mail: embassy.astana@diplobel.fed.be Trade-economic department: 5th floor office 501 2A 5 Al-Faraby Avenue, Almaty E-mail: almaty@awex-wallonia.kz

Embassy of Brazil 6/1 Kabanbai Batyr Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 46 82/84 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 47 43 Website: www.brasembastana.kz

116_117_DIPLOMATIC_MISSIONS.indd 116

Astana Tower 17th floor 12 Samal, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 44 21 21 Fax: +7 (7172) 44 21 16

C-4 Diplomatic town, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 32 58 Tel/Fax: +7 (7172) 24 34 26 E-mail: astana.emb.@mfa.gov.ge astana.con@mfa.gov.ge

19 Konayev Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 28 60 92/93 E-mail: astemb@iraqmfamail.com Embassy of Israel 8 Auezov Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 68 87 39 Fax: +7 (7172) 68 87 35 E-mail: ambass-sec@astana.mfa.gov.il

Embassy of Italy

62 Kosmonavtov Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 79 12 00 +7 (7172) 79 12 80 Fax: +7 (7172) 79 12 13 E-mail: info@astana.diplo.de General Consulate: 2 Ivanilova Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 262 83 41/46/49 Fax: +7 (7272) 50 62 76 E-mail: info@almaty.diplo.de www.almaty.diplo.de

Arman Business Centre 6 Sary Arka Street, 13th Floor, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 66 04 72 Fax: +7 (7172) 66 01 42 E-mail: astana@embassy.mzv.cz Office in Almaty: 2A Nurly Tau Business Centre 5 Al-Farabi Avenue 8th Floor Phone: +7 (7272) 77 70 93 Fax: +7 (7272) 77 70 92 E-mail: commerce_almaata@mzv.cz

Embassy of Hungary

62 Kosmonavtov Street, 9th Floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 55 03 23 Fax: +7 (7172) 55 03 24 E-mail: mission.ast@kum.hu General consulate: 4 Musabayev Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 255 1308 +7 (7272) 258 1836 Fax: +7 (7272) 258 1837 E-mail: mission.ala@kum.hu

Embassy of India 5th floor, Kaskad Business Centre 6/1 Kabanbai Batyr Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 92 57 00/03 Fax: +7 (7172) 92 57 15 E-mail: hoc.astana@mea.gov.in

62 Kosmonavtov Street, Chubary, 5th Floor, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 97 78 43 Fax: +7 (7172) 97 78 42 Office in Almaty: 41 Kazybek Bi Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 98 06 00 Fax: +7 (7272) 98 06 01

109 Karaotkel, 2nd Microdistrict Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 56 37 14 +7 (7172) 56 37 55 +7 (7172) 56 37 84 Fax: +7 (7172) 56 38 26 E-mail: gremb.ast@mfa.gr

Embassy of Czech Republic

62 Kosmonavtov Street Chubary Microdistrict, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 33 90 +7 (7172) 24 38 68 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 36 86 Email: ambasciata.astana@esteri.it Email: visti.astana@esteri.it Consular Section: Tel/Fax: +7 (7172) 91 03 08 E-mail: consolare.astana@esteri.it Honorary Consulate: 40 Kazybek Bi Street, Almaty Phone/Fax: +7 (7272) 266 36 09

Embassy of Japan

Embassy of Greece

18 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Office 2 Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 24 67 +7 (7172) 44 94 59 E-mail: natemdacu@mail.online.kz Website: www.cubadiplomatica.cu/kazajstan

B-7 Diplomatic town, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 25 11/12 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 15 37 E-mail: iranembassy@itte.kz

Embassy of Iraq

Embassy of Germany

Embassy of Cuba

30 Sarayshyk Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 28 60 67 +7 (7172) 24 18 30 Fax: +7 (7172) 28 60 50 E-mail: embassy.astana@mfa.gov.eg Cultural Centre: 15 Teplichnaya Street, Almaty

Embassy of Iran

62 Kosmonavtov Street, 4th Floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 79 51 00 Fax: +7 (7172) 79 51 01 Office in Almaty: 173 Furmanov Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7273) 96 98 00 Fax: +7 (7273) 96 98 20 E-mail: ambafrance@mail.ru

Embassy of Georgia

28 Kabanbai Batyr Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 79 35 61 +7 (7172) 79 35 83 (consular section) Fax: +7 (7172) 79 35 65 Trade-Economic Department: B-2 Diplomatic town Phone: +7 (7172) 24 25 10 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 13 81 General Consulate: 12 Baitasov Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 270 02 21

Embassy of Egypt

Office in Almaty: 71 Maulenov Street, 3rd Floor, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 278 44 55/65 Fax: +7 (7272) 278 46 85 E-mail: cons.almaty@mea.gov.in

Embassy of France

Embassy of China

Embassy of Azerbaijan

Embassy of Belgium

Embassy of Finland

Isker Business Centre 15 Sary Arka Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 90 15 15 Fax: +7 (7172) 90 18 19 E-mail: astanabulemb@mail.ru

174B Furmanov Street, 3rd Floor Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan Phone: +7 (727) 2615160 E-mail: ahc.kaz@gmail.com Website: www.russia.embassy.gov.au

35 Kenesary Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 32 48 29 +7 (7172) 32 06 65 +7 (7172) 32 00 34 +7 (7172) 32 48 49 Fax: +7 (7172) 32 18 70 Consular section: Phone: +7 (7172) 32 48 49 E-mail: Kazakhstan@belembassy.org Diplomatic Mission in Almaty: 115/157 Zheltoksan Street Tel/Fax: +7 (7272) 272 9787 E-mail: Kazakhstan@belembassy.org

Phone: +7 (7272) 63 96 95 Fax: +7 (7272) 56 98 02 Trade department: 51 Kaldayakov Street, Office 33 Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 291 8997 Fax: +7 (7272) 293 0391 E-mail: almaty@tamseel-esc.gov.eg

62, Kosmonavtov Street, 6th Floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 55 62 00/19 Fax: +7 (7172) 55 62 12 E-mail: BritishEmbassy@mail.online.kz Website: www.ukinkz.fco.gov.uk Office in Almaty: 97-2A Zholdasbekov Street Samal-2nd Microdistrict, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 250 61 91/92 Fax: +7 (7272) 250 71 12 E-mail: AlmatyVizaGeneral@fco.gov.uk

Embassy of Bulgaria

Consulate of Australia

Embassy of Belarus

Embassy of Britain

Embassy of Jordan 8/2 Novostroitelnaya Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 52 54/55 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 52 53 E-mail: astana@fm.gov.jo

Embassy of Korea

6/1 Kabanbai Batyr Street, 9th Floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 92 55 91/92/93 Fax: +7 (7172) 92 55 96 Office in Almaty: 52a Ivanilov Street, Gornyi Gigant Phone: +7 (727) 263 26 60/91 +7 (727) 263 29 89 +7 (727) 263 62 28/29 Fax: +7 (727) 264 33 51 E-mail: embassy_news@mail.ru

Embassy of Kyrgyzstan

B-5 Diplomatic Town, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 20 24 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 24 14 Consular Section: Phone: +7 (7172) 24 20 40 E-mail: kr@mail.online.kz

4/9/12 12:55:18 PM

i Phone: +7 (7172) 55 11 00 Fax: +7 (7172) 55 11 99 E-mail: emb.astana@mfa.no

General Consulate: 30A Lugansky Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (727) 264 22 12 Fax: +7 (7272) 64 22 11 E-mail: consul.agencykg@mail.kz

Embassy of Latvia 6/1 Kabanbai Batyr Street, Office 122 Astana Phone/fax: +7 (7172) 92 53 17 Fax: +7 (7172) 92 53 19 E-mail: embassy.kazakhstan@mfa.gov.lv Email: consulate.kazakhstan@mfa.gov.lv

Embassy of Oman

3 Novostroitelnaya Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 18 61/62/64 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 18 63

Embassy of Pakistan Beijing Palace Business Centre 27 Syganak, Astana E-mail: parepalmaty@yahoo.com

2 Tauelsizdik Street, 13th Floor, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 79 35 15 Fax: +7 (7172) 79 35 16 E-mail: embassylebanon-kz@hotmail.com

37 Kabanbay Batyr Street, Block 4 Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 28 75 57/62 Fax: +7 (7172) 28 75 55 E-mail: pal.emb@rambler.ru

Embassy of Libya

Embassy of Poland

6, 36-8 Street, Karaotkel, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 56 37 64/5/6 Fax: +7 (7172) 56 37 23

Isker Business Centre, 15 Sary Arka Street, 6th Floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 90 10 11/14 Fax: +7 (7172) 90 10 12 Email: joanna.jessa@poland.kz General Consulate: 9 Jarkentskaya Street, Gornyi Gigant Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 58 16 17 +7 (7272) 58 15 51 Fax: +7 (7272) 58 15 50 E-mail: ambpol@poland.kz E-mail: polkonsulat@poland.kz Trade Mission: 72 Zatayevich Street Phone/Fax: +7 (7272) 64 79 11 +7 (7272) 63 44 27 E-mail: almaty@pol-trade.kz

Embassy of Lithuania 6/1, Kabanbay Batyr ave. BC Kaskad, office 103 010000 Astana Tel.: +7 7172 925 850 Fax: +7 7172 925 853 Office in Almaty: Gornyj Gigant, 15, Iskanderov Str. 050059 Almaty Tel.: +7727 263 1040 +7727 263 2505 Fax: +7727 263 1975 E-mail is common: amb.kz@urm.lt Website: http://kz.mfa.lt/ 9A Rubinshtein Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7273) 33 44 83/4/5 Fax: +7 (7273) 87 28 25 E-mail:mwalmaty@nursat.kz

Embassy of Norway 17th floor, Astana Tower, 12 Samal Astana

116_117_DIPLOMATIC_MISSIONS.indd 117

20A Saraishyk Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 28 61 23 Fax: +7 (7172) 28 61 33 E-mail: qatarembassy.astana@gmail.com 28 Sarayshyk Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 28 62 03 Fax: +7 (7172) 28 62 03 E-mail: amb@romania.kz

1 Musabayev Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 69 35 36 Fax: +7 (7272) 58 17 27 Consulate: +7 (7272) 229 37 90 E-mail: info@mongemb.kz 62 Kosmonavtov Street, Office 801 Astana Phone: +7 (7272) 55 54 50 Fax: +7 (7272) 55 54 74 E-mail: ast@minbuza.nl E-mail: nl_embassy.astana@yahoo.com Office in Almaty: 103 Nauryzbay Batyr Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 50 37 73 Fax: +7 (7272) 50 37 72 E-mail: alm@minbuza.nl

Embassy of Qatar

Embassy of Romania

Embassy of Mongolia

Embassy of Netherlands

Embassy of Palestine

Embassy of Lebanon

Embassy of Malaysia

DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS 117 Embassy of Turkey

Consulate: 78 Mukhit Street, Uralsk Phone: 8 (7112) 51 16 26 Fax: 8 (7112) 24 24 86 Trade Missions: 39 Kenesary Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 32 77 89 Fax: +7 (7172) 32 81 51

6/1 Kabanbay Batyr Street, Office 23, 101, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 92 58 70/73 Fax: +7 (7172) 92 58 74 E-mail: astanaturk@gmail.com Office in Almaty: 29 Tole Bi Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 78 41 65/77 Fax: +7 (7272) 78 41 68 E-mail: almatyturkbe@gmail.com

4 Jandosov Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 75 49 55 Fax: +7 (7272) 75 46 06 E-mail: torgrf-astana@mail.ru

Embassy of Saudi Arabia 19 Akyn Sara Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 92 57 52/53/54/55 Fax: +7 (7172) 92 57 62 E-mail: kzemb@mofa.gov.sa

Embassy of Turkmenistan

Embassy of Slovakia 5 Karaotkel – 2nd Microdistrict, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 56 37 90 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 20 48 Defense Attaché: Phone: +7 (7172) 24 40 55 E-mail: zuastana1@post.sk Trade Mission: 1A Tikhii, Energetic vil. Almatinskaya Oblast Phone/Fax: +7 (7272) 97 74 43 E-mail: obeo.almaty@mail.ru

Embassy of South Africa 6/1 Kabanbay Batyr Street, 17th Floor Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 92 53 27/28/29 Fax: +7 (7172) 92 53 29 E-mail: cons@saembassy.kz Email: administration@saembassy.kz

Embassy of Spain

Embassy of the Russian Federation 4 Barayev Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 44 08 06 +7 (7172) 44 07 93/83/86/92/89 +7 (7172) 44 08 01 Fax: +7 (7172) 44 08 07 +7 (7172) 32 22 09 E-mail: rfekz@yandex.ru Website: www.rfembassy.kz Consular section: Phone: +7 (7172) 44 07 83 +7 (7172) 44 04 80 Fax: +7 (7172) 44 07 84 General Consulate: 4 Jandosov Street Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 74 50 87, 274 61 22 Fax: +7 (7272) 74 71 68/72 E-mail: gcrusalmaata@gmail.com

47-25 Kenesary Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 20 15 35/6/7/8/9/0 Fax: +7 (7172) 20 03 17 +7 (7172) 20 02 24 (consular section) E-mail: emb.astana@maec.es Trade-Economic Department: 20 A, Kazybek Bi Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 93 02 40 +7 (7172) 293 02 66 Fax: +7 (7272) 93 02 59 E-mail: almaty@mcx.es

8/1 Otyrar Street, Astana Phone/Fax: +7 (7172) 21 08 82 +7 (7172) 21-08-23 Military Attaché: +7 7172 20-12-95 E-mail: tm_emb@astanatelecom.kz Consular section: 6/109, Abay Street, Almaty Phone/Fax: +7 (7272) 50 96 04

Embassy of Ukraine

41 Kenesary Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 32 60 42 Fax: +7 (7172) 32 68 11 Consulate: Phone/Fax: +7 (7172) 32 43 25 E-mail: embassy_ua@inbox.kz General Consulate 13a Makatayev Street , Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 30 16 00 Fax: +7 (7272) 30 26 01 E-mail: uaconsul@gmail.com Trade Mission: Phone/Fax: +7 (7272) 32 74 80 E-mail: tem_ua@mbox.kz

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates C-15 Diplomatic Town, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 36 75 +7 (7172) 28 60 47 +7 (7172) 28 60 75 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 36 76 E-mail: emaratembassy_kz@yahoo.com

Embassy of the United States

12 Samal District, 17th Floor, Astana

3, 22-23 Street, Ak Bulak 4, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 70 21 00 Fax: +7 (7172) 34 08 90 Consular Section: Phone: 70 21 00 Fax: +7 (7172) 70 22 80 E-mail: info@usembassy.kz

Embassy of Switzerland

Embassy of Uzbekistan

8th floor Kosmonavtov Street, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 97 98 92/93 Fax: +7 (7172) 97 98 94 Visa section: Phone: +7 (7172) 97 98 95 Fax: +7 (7172) 97 98 96

36 Baribayev Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (7272) 91 78 86 Fax: +7 (7272) 91 10 55 Consulate Phone: +7 (7272) 91 02 35 E-mail: emb-Uzbekistan@mail.ru

Embassy of the Vatican

Embassy of Tajikistan

20 Zelenaya Alleya Street Chubary Microdistrict, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 24 16 03, +7 (7172) 24 12 69 Fax: +7 (7172) 24 16 04 E-mail: nuntius_kazakhstan@lycos.com

Embassy of Sweden

15 Marsovaya Street, T Chubary Aicrodistrict, Astana Phone/Fax: +7 (7172) 24 09 29 E-mail: embassy_tajic@mbox.kz Office in Almaty: 16 Sanatornaya Street, Baganashyl vil. Phone/Fax: +7 (7272) 69 70 59 E-mail: tajemb_almaty@ok.kz

Embassy of Vietnam 6 Sary Arka Avenue, Astana Phone: +7 (7172) 66 03 75 Fax: +7 (7172) 66 03 79

4/9/12 12:55:19 PM

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4/10/12 12:33:03 PM

06_final_INSIDEcover_spead.indd 1

4/9/12 2:47:31 PM

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