This was announced by Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Alim Bayel. According to the diplomat, the Kazakh side had proposed to Azerbaijan resuming passenger ferry services on the Kuryk Port – Baku Port – Kuryk Port route. The service operated until 2020, when it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alim Bayel noted that before the service was suspended, approximately 1,500 passengers per year used the ferry connection across the Caspian Sea. He expressed confidence that even more people would be interested in travelling along this route in the coming period. The resumption of the ferry service will give impetus to the development of passenger connectivity between the two countries, increase tourism exchanges, and expand the opportunities offered by the Middle Corridor.
The Ambassador said that the Azerbaijani side has supported Kazakhstan’s proposal. The transport authorities of the two countries have now begun work aimed at restoring passenger services as soon as possible.
Today, 37 air flights are carried out between Baku and Kazakh cities of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktau and Atyrau.
Date and Time: April 29, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Venue: «Zhastar sarayy» and surrounding areas, Industrial zone
On April 29, from 9:00 AM, the largest event of the year will begin in Kostanay. The family-oriented scientific and innovative festival «QOSTANAI TECH» will bring together Kostanay residents and guests from all regions of the country. The festival will become a landmark event in the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, announced by Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The start of the festival program will be given by Akim of Kostanay region Kumar Aksakalov.
Among the festival’s headliners, who will address the audience in a TED-style format, are representatives of major industrial enterprises, IT companies, and opinion leaders. The speakers include Kim De Ki, General Director of KIA QAZAQSTAN; Temirlan Zinalabdin, CEO of Freedom Cloud and Advisor to the Working Group of the Presidential Council on AI Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Gabit Bekakhmetov, an entrepreneur in the fields of technology and education and the first Kazakhstani to have completed studies at the University of Oxford; and the leadership of Allur Group’s automotive manufacturing sector, among others.
Guests will be welcomed in the foyer of the Zhastar Sarai by the festival’s mascot — the Q-AI transformer — as well as an exhibition of modern technologies.
The interactive zone on the second floor will showcase innovative developments, including Industry 5.0 and smart manufacturing, autonomous systems and swarm technologies, urban digital infrastructure and smart city development, XR-based learning and immersive professions, as well as future environmental challenges, logistics, and digital security, among others.
The festival will serve not only as a celebration of technology, but also as a platform for experimentation. A dedicated Future Technologies Zone will be organized on the second floor for children and teenagers.Visitors can look forward to a cyber sports arena with mini-tournaments, a tech testing ground, an engineering lab, and robotics activities. Particular interest among younger audiences is expected to be drawn by the VR/AI zone, where a simulation lab will allow participants to immerse themselves in real production processes — from operating agricultural machinery to working on electric vehicle assembly lines.
At the outdoor area, children and their parents can enjoy hands-on workshops, interactive experiments, and science shows in chemistry and physics, including demonstrations with liquid nitrogen and a Tesla show.
An exhibition of machinery and equipment from leading regional manufacturers will also take place at the venue.
For those wishing to see automotive production processes and the operations of the region’s industrial giants firsthand, industrial tours will be organized throughout the day. These tours are expected to become a regular offering for both residents and visitors of the city.
A key objective of the festival is to inspire the younger generation to explore programming and AI systems, which are becoming the foundation for the development of the engineering and agro-industrial sectors, while also reinforcing family values, intergenerational continuity, and respect for work and knowledge.
Festival guests can look forward to a rich and engaging program, including:
Everyone will find something to enjoy. For the convenience of guests, a food court will be available on site.
The festival program will conclude at 7:00 PM with a concert featuring Bayansulu, one of the brightest stars of the Kazakhstani music scene.
Representatives of the media, as well as all interested guests, are invited to attend the family-oriented science and innovation festival «QOSTANAI TECH», starting at 9:00 AM on April 18.
For all inquiries, comments, and additional information:
Contact person: Anna Lazareva
Phone: +7 777 370 23 04
From April 22 to 26, the IX International Book Exhibition and Fair Astana Eurasian Book Fair 2026 will be held at the Presidential Center in the capital. It is one of the largest cultural and educational events in Central Asia, according to the official website of the city administration.
The event is organized by Foliant Publishing House with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Akimat of Astana.
Approximately 80 companies representing the publishing, printing, bookselling, and academic sectors will take part in the fair. Around half of them are Kazakhstani organizations, while some 40 companies are expected from Azerbaijan, Russia, Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Spain, China, Iran, Belarus, Portugal, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom.
The five-day program will feature a wide range of cultural and business events, including book presentations, meetings with authors, autograph sessions, and special masterclasses at the children’s activity zone.
Among the highlights are presentations of the following publications: «A Poem-Woman» by Azerbaijani poet Rasmia Sabir, «Turkish Cuisine» (published with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye), Bekarys Shoibekov’s collection of aitys «Bekarys — The Golden Voice of Aitys», Marzhan Yershu’s poem «A Solitary Hand», «Yeldos Smetov. Endurance. Faith. Victory» from the «Contemporaries» series, Yerlan Kozhabayev’s photo album «Kazakh Ornaments», Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novel «The Witcher», Ularbek Daley’s historical novel «Batu Khan», «The Ownerless Shadow» by Alisher Rakhat, «The Journey of Hope» by Spanish writer Javier Moro, «For Whom the Bell Tolls» by Ernest Hemingway, Baiyt Kabanuly’s «Mongol Poetry», «The Tears of the White Zhaiyk» by Nursultan Myktybay, as well as the album books «Turkestan — Eternal and Ever New» and «Dimash Qudaibergen. Infinite Music».
On April 23, in celebration of the National Book Day, an official award ceremony will be held for the winners of the national competition Ulttyq Kitap, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan.
The official opening ceremony of the exhibition will take place on April 22 at 11:00, with the participation of government and public figures, prominent writers, and foreign ambassadors.
The highly anticipated cultural exchange program Voice Beyond Horizon is set to premiere. The show is produced by Hunan Satellite TV’s Luo Xinxing team under the guidance of the International Cooperation Department of the National Radio and Television Administration supported by the Kazakhstan Government and tourism authorities.
Starting Thursday, February 5, 2026, audiences can tune in to Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV at 22:00 (Beijing time) weekly to embark on a musical journey across Kazakhstan. As the first Kazakh-Sino co-produced music variety show dedicated to Silk Road cultural exchange, the program will air simultaneously in both nations, bridging Kazakhstan and China through the universal language of music.
This Variety Show is Packed with "Uniqueness"
Voice Beyond Horizon is not only Mango TV’s first music variety show filmed entirely abroad, but also marks the debut of globally acclaimed vocal powerhouse Dimash Qudaibergen as the show’s initiator and lead.
This “celestial-voiced prodigy” from Kazakhstan burst onto the scene as a dark horse on Singer 2017. He captivated audiences with stunning performances of songs like S.O.S D'un Terrien en détresse and The Show Must Go On. Endowed with an astonishing five-octave vocal range and masterful singing technique, he quickly amassed a global fanbase, and was affectionately dubbed “the beloved imported heartthrob” by Chinese netizens. Now, he returns to Hunan Satellite TV with a brand-new role. Acting as the perfect guide, he leads young musicians from six different countries on an immersive journey through his homeland, Kazakhstan. Through the language he knows best—music—he will help uncover the most engaging landscapes and stories of this treasured land.
The show also features an elite panel of mentors, including four acclaimed Chinese artists—Lei Jia, Li Yugang, Peng Jiahui, and Cai Guoqing—alongside celebrated American music producer Walter Afanasieff. Together, they provide professional depth and emotional resonance to every performance.
The Cross-Border Stage: Six Nations’ Vocalists Await Their Moment of Glory
Heeding the call of Dimash, eight elite vocalists from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Malaysia, and Italy embark on a 22-day “expedition-style” journey across Kazakhstan. Venturing far beyond the typical tourist trails, the artists immerse themselves in bustling local bazaars, vast grasslands, and serene lakesides, forging deep connections with the people they meet in the cities of Turkestan, Aktau, Almaty, and Astana. Even the sites of “Belt and Road” cooperation projects become creative hubs for their musical inspiration. Ultimately, every story told and emotion felt on the road is “translated” into music, culminating in eight spectacular performances that blend ethnic heritage with contemporary creativity.
Every stage is a high-octane collision of inspiration and talent. These global artists are gearing up, treating every performance as a pivotal battle to push their limits as the ultimate showdown approaches. Utilizing a rigorous points-based system, the journey will crown three champions who will be bestowed with the prestigious “Star of Glory” title, officially recognized by the Kazakh government. This is more than a competition, it is a musical diary of the Silk Road, capturing both the warmth of friendship and the adrenaline of elite competition.
Program Highlights: A Hit-Making Factory Meets the Ultimate Travel Guide
The show’s core philosophy is built on three pillars: “Boundary-breaking songs, viral-worthy scenery, and world-class vocals.” By tearing down stylistic barriers, international artists collaborate to create tracks that fuse profound cultural roots with a global edge. Every performance is poised to be a “chart-topping hit” that audiences will have on repeat.
Through the lens, Kazakhstan reveals a mesmerizing, ethereal beauty: The ancient ruins of Turkestan resonate with the echoes of a millennium of Silk Road heritage; In Aktau, the Caspian coastline stretches into the horizon, where crystalline waters melt into an endless azure sky; In Almaty, The snow-capped peaks overlook Xian Xinghai Street, a tribute to the enduring bond between Kazakhstan and China; In Astana, futuristic architecture blends seamlessly into the vast steppes, epitomizing the perfect fusion of the traditional and the contemporary. This intricate tapestry of nature and humanity creates a spellbinding exotic charm, and every frame is a masterpiece worth savoring.
Even more profound is how the show transforms cultural exchange into something tangible and audible. Young talents from six nations use their voices to document their genuine experiences and forge transnational friendships. They turn the vision of "Ten Thousand Miles of Silk Road, One Song from the Heart" into a vibrant musical reality, establishing a groundbreaking cultural IP that bridges nations and revitalizes the spirit of the Silk Road.
In 2026, board this musical caravan and let your ears lead the way on the journey of a lifetime! Starting on February 5, tune in to Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV every Thursday at 22:00 (Beijing time). Let the Silk Road resonate within you—we’ll see you there!
In addition, he invited brotherly countries to use the potential of Central Asia’s first supercomputer, based in Astana, and the recently opened Alem.AI International Artificial Intelligence Center as a launch pad for new ideas and innovations.
At the conclusion of the event, the foreign ministers adopted a number of documents aimed at developing and expanding the work of Turkic organizations, as well as reviewed and approved the draft final documents of the 12th OTS Summit.
In his speech, Minister Kosherbayev emphasized the growing role of the Organization in light of the current geopolitical and geoeconomic situation.
“Today, the OTS is the most important platform for promoting common interests, joint initiatives, and developing coordinated positions on the world stage,” he said.
The Kazakh Foreign Minister called on the meeting participants to launch the Turkic Investment Fund as soon as possible, which can become a key element of economic cooperation in the Turkic world.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev took part in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which was held ahead of the 12th OTS Summit.
During the ministerial meeting, participants exchanged views on further developing cooperation within the Organization and “compared the notes” on current international and regional issues.
Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov.
Minister Nurtleu congratulated the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on the signing of the Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, expressing hope that this historic step will open new opportunities for cooperation and serve as a solid foundation for peace and sustainable development in the region.
In this context, the interlocutors exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation in trade, logistics, and transport, which are emerging in light of agreements on the unblocking of regional communications.
In addition, the parties discussed plans for upcoming interaction, paying special attention to the schedule of high-level events, and agreed to maintain regular contacts on the issues outlined during the conversation.
Following the talks, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to developing the strategic partnership and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in all areas.