For several months, Gen Z horror films “Obsession” and “Backrooms” have dominated the global box office, outperforming many big-budget Hollywood blockbusters. According to Variety, “Obsession” has grossed approximately $403 million worldwide just two months after its theatrical debut. Of that total, $245 million came from North America, while international markets…
When the famous work “Let’s Be Scared Together!” by Kazakh artist Pasha Kas disappeared from the wall of a building in downtown Almaty in January 2025, residents reacted as though they had suffered a personal loss. Outraged comments flooded social media: “Who could have been bothered by a kitten named…
After nearly two years on the international film festival circuit, where it won several awards, Yelzat Yeskendir’s “Abel” has finally premiered in Kazakhstan — and gone straight into theatrical release. Whether the film will find a broad audience remains an open question. “Abel” is a demanding work, particularly because its…
Social media users in Kazakhstan have recently been circulating a viral image of a portly, mustached man with a worried, wide-eyed expression — a reaction face that quickly became a flexible meme for confusion, shock, or awkward situations. From viral reaction image to global meme The image began trending in…
Just a few hours before showtime at Almaty Arena, the venue is nearly empty. Behind the scenes of Cirque du Soleil’s OVO, however, preparations are already in full swing. While some performers warm up before taking the stage, others apply makeup. Costume specialists inspect hundreds of wardrobe pieces, and musicians…
A controversy has erupted in the Netherlands over human remains that may belong to the legendary French musketeer d’Artagnan, the historical figure who inspired a central character in Alexandre Dumas’ novel “The Three Musketeers.” The bones were discovered during renovation work at a church in Maastricht. Shortly after the find,…
The childhood playground may hold the secret to your future spouse’s tax bracket, though it likely won’t predict their skin color. While sharing a neighborhood can bridge the gap between the rich and the poor at the altar, it does remarkably little to break down long-standing racial barriers in American…
Kazakh dancer Madina Beisekeyeva has announced her appearance in the third season of the HBO series “Euphoria,” marking her acting debut. Beisekeyeva shared the news on Instagram, posting stills from a recent episode and writing: “Watch me on Euphoria S3. My acting debut.” Based on the scenes she shared, Beisekeyeva…
The U.S. has returned 337 ancient artifacts to Italy that were illegally removed from the country, in one of the largest recent recoveries of stolen cultural property, Reuters reported. The artifacts include Roman sculptures as well as Greek, Etruscan and Egyptian objects. They were presented in Rome at the headquarters…
The creators of the sequel to “The Devil Wears Prada” are facing criticism over allegations of racial stereotyping tied to a new supporting character. Read also: Prada reunion: Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep pose for the first time together. Critics have raised concerns about the character Jin Chao, introduced as…
A viral social media video has uncovered a little-known detail about one of Kazakhstan’s prominent landmarks — the Miners’ Palace of Culture in Karaganda. According to the video, a single person served as the model for four of the building’s facade sculptures. One model, multiple figures Tour guide Svetlana Dzen,…
Kazakhstan plans to compile a comprehensive catalog of cultural artifacts that have ended up abroad over time, said Berik Abdigaliuly, director of Kazakhstan’s National Museum. The project is expected to take about five years and will allow the public to identify where key historical objects are currently held. Among the…
Almaty appears to be finding new ways to make everyday life more engaging: visitors can now go to a café or restaurant not only for coffee or dinner, but also for an impromptu art experience. Without planning ahead, diners may simply sit down and find an original painting hanging nearby.…
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…
This year marks 38 years since the revival of Nauryz, the traditional spring equinox holiday in Kazakhstan. Deeply rooted in the country’s cultural identity, the celebration symbolizes renewal, unity and the arrival of spring. Yet for much of the 20th century, it was absent from public life — returning only…
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film «One Battle After Another,» starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, won best picture at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday. It is the director’s first Oscar after many years of critical acclaim, the Associated Press reported. The film, which tells a multi-generational American story about…
A discussion is gaining traction on social media over an unusual apartment in Almaty that the listing’s author, a realtor, described as a true «work of art.» Read also: How photographers saved Almaty’s fleeting street art. The property is located at the intersection of Panfilov and Tole Bi streets in…
Ramadan in 2026 began Feb. 19. The Spiritual Administration of Kazakhstan’s Muslims published guidance explaining the procedure for making up missed fasts, known as qada. Fasting as an act of worship Ramadan is a holy month in which Allah’s mercy is believed to be abundant and spiritual rewards are multiplied.…
In the 19th century, Kazakh girls owned not only dolls but also doll furniture — and not only the wealthiest families. To provide a daughter with a new toy, parents needed craft skills rather than money, and this was never a problem in the Kazakh steppe. «When playing with dolls,…
An unusual dating trend is gaining popularity among young people in China, with individuals recommending their former partners to others as if they were job candidates, according to the South China Morning Post. The idea emerged amid growing frustration with dating apps and a desire to find a «vetted» partner.…
Social media users are discussing an unexpected reason Russians are traveling to Kazakhstan: going to the movies. The conversation was sparked by a post on Threads in which a woman said she flew to Almaty specifically to see the film «Avatar.» A viral post fuels debate The post quickly went…
San Diego Comic-Con, one of the most influential gatherings in entertainment where major studios typically unveil upcoming films, TV series, and video games, has recently revised its stance on AI-generated artwork. The change came after strong opposition from artists, according to reporting by 404 Media. While modest, the decision represents…
A user on the Threads social network recently suggested reimagining «Harry Potter» characters by placing them in a Soviet-era context, rather than J.K. Rowling’s magical world. Hogwarts as a research institute The user shared AI-generated portraits of several «Harry Potter» characters using the prompt: «If Hogwarts were not an English…
Kazakh ethnic designer Tilek Sultan sparked debate after receiving a custom order for a kimeshek, a traditional head covering for married Kazakh women with children. While researching, Sultan noticed confusion between the kimeshek and the Islamic hijab. He raised the subject online, receiving swift, heated responses. A question that sparked…
