Kazakh Film Festival Inaugurated in Athens

Athens, May 26, 2025 – The official opening ceremony of the Kazakh Film Festival took place in the capital of the Hellenic Republic. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Greece. On the first day of the festival, the audience was presented with the historical epic “Tomiris”, which tells the story of the legendary Saka queen who became a symbol of strength and independence.

The opening ceremony featured welcome remarks by Timur Sultanqozhin, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Hellenic Republic; George Kalamantis, Director of the Directorate of International Relations of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports; and Kulyash Zhumakhanova, representative of Kazakhfilm JSC.

In their speeches, the speakers emphasized the importance of cultural exchange as an integral part of bilateral cooperation, contributing to enhanced mutual understanding and the strengthening of friendly relations between the peoples of Kazakhstan and Greece.

The festival will run until May 28. Over the course of three days, the Athenian public will have the opportunity to enjoy iconic Kazakh films that reflect the richness of the country’s cultural heritage and the achievements of its contemporary cinema. Among the featured titles are “Dos-Mukasan”, dedicated to the legendary Kazakh vocal-instrumental ensemble, as well as the classic “My Name is Kozha”, which has become a cultural touchstone for generations of viewers.

The opening was accompanied by lively discussions involving prominent actor Adil Akhmetov (Tomiris), director Aydin Sakhaman (Dos-Mukasan), members of the Greek film industry, students, media representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, the business community, civil society, and former citizens of Kazakhstan currently residing in Greece.

The festival attracted great interest from the Greek public and became a notable cultural event in Athens, reaffirming the continued relevance and significance of joint cultural initiatives between Kazakhstan and Greece.