Traditional clothing once worn mainly by older generations during holidays and public festivities is now increasingly embraced by younger people in Kazakhstan. Another emerging trend at large celebrations is the appearance of robots dressed in chapans with traditional patterns.
In Almaty, this year’s Nauryz festivities placed a strong emphasis on digital technologies. The city integrated artificial intelligence into key elements of the program as part of the Year of Artificial Intelligence, according to the mayor’s office.
Digital yurts at the main venue
The main celebrations took place at Astana Square, where six themed yurts were installed. Two of them were dedicated to technology.
One yurt featured an interactive space showcasing robots, drones, student-developed projects, artificial intelligence solutions and a virtual reality zone.
Multimedia and city history
Another yurt presented the Digital 360 — Welcome to Almaty multimedia platform. Using panoramic projections and digital tools, visitors were able to explore how the city has evolved across different historical periods.
Read also: Diva energy: How Whitney Houston inspired Kazakhstan’s iconic Nauryz song.
The 2026 celebrations highlighted how Almaty is combining traditional Nauryz customs with modern technology, integrating digital innovation into the city’s cultural program.
