Almaty is hosting its first large exhibition of Afghan goods from Oct. 20 to 22, featuring over 80 companies. This is the second event aimed at strengthening economic ties between Kazakhstan and the Taliban government, which regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021. A Kursiv LifeStyle correspondent attended the exhibition, which was opened by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade Arman Shakkaliyev.
The first such event was held in August 2023 in Astana, with Taliban officials in attendance, even while the group was still on Kazakhstan’s list of banned terrorist organizations. It wasn’t until June 2024, just months before the Almaty exhibition, that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev removed the Taliban from that list.
One of the pavilions at the Atakent Expo Center in Almaty was dedicated to showcasing Afghanistan’s traditional crafts and products.
More than 150 private entrepreneurs and over 80 companies from Afghanistan participated in the event. The main attractions were unique handmade goods, including carpets priced as low as $165, jewelry starting at $51, copper jugs from $103 and other antiques. A highlight of the exhibition was the antiques with international certificates, being displayed for the first time. For instance, the exhibition featured a jug made more than 10 centuries ago, sabers from the 19th and 20th centuries and various other artifacts.
Antique dealers hope to establish close ties with Kazakhstan’s museums. However, it remains unclear when the Taliban regime began to prioritize cultural values. In 2001, they famously destroyed the Buddha statues in Bamiyan, which had stood since the 3rd century A.D., citing that the depictions of human faces violated Sharia law.
Some vintage items on display at Atakent appeared to be artificially aged replicas. For example, one seller struggled to answer simple questions about the history and significance of vintage Afghan signet rings. The enterprising individual merely noted that the rings were about 100 years old and priced at only $51. Similar rings are available on other online marketplaces but at five times the price.
The exhibition also showcased weapons that evoked fear rather than admiration for their craftsmanship. Items such as sabers, daggers, guns, pistols and metal helmets all had histories of over a century and were priced at just $103. When a Kursiv LifeStyle correspondent asked visitors examining the vintage weapons if they were concerned that these items might be replicas, responses were uncertain.
«I doubt it. Obviously, everything here is old. But who knows? You can’t trust anyone these days. The prices are suspiciously low. Their economy is bad; maybe the items are real, just cheap,» one man commented.
The seller declined to speak with the correspondent and didn’t provide any of the international certificates cited by Kazakhstani authorities promoting the exhibition.
«He won’t talk to you; he’s busy right now. They aren’t prone to speaking with journalists; there’s no need for that,» said a translator who was working part-time at the exhibition.
The most popular stands among visitors are those showcasing the famous Afghan carpets, which are sought after worldwide. Prices for some vintage pieces exceed $50,000. Around two dozen Afghan companies are exhibiting carpets in Almaty, offering a wide selection of large, small, vintage, silk and woolen products. Prices start at $82 for a small 2-meter to 1.5-meter carpet, while vintage silk rugs are priced higher, starting at $186.
«I couldn’t believe how affordable Afghan carpets are,» said one buyer. «I bought one for myself and another as a gift, spending $310 for two large carpets.»
Women were notably absent among the Afghan company representatives. Out of more than 80 booths, only two featured Afghan saleswomen, while the rest were staffed by men or Kazakhstani women hired for the event.
An interesting detail: older men were selling carpets, jewelry, weapons and building materials, while young men were handling booths with women’s clothing and handbags. The leather handbags were priced from $41.
In addition to handicrafts, the exhibition featured a wide range of Afghan agricultural products, including fresh fruits, vegetables and exotic spices like saffron. Stands offering nuts and Afghan tea attracted large crowds, with some visitors buying goods in bulk.
The exhibition has proven to be a big hit with Kazakhstanis. Whether it’s genuine interest in goods from Afghanistan or the allure of mystery surrounding the country, thousands of visitors are flocking to the exhibition each day. Interestingly, the most popular Afghan product available in Kazakhstani stores is Golden Life pomegranate soda, which was previously banned in Kyrgyzstan due to the presence of a hazardous dye.
