Scientists have found evidence suggesting that the famous Terracotta Army in China may not have been built by adult men alone. An analysis of fingerprints preserved on the clay figures indicates that more than half of the prints examined may have belonged to women and children under age 15. The…
As Kazakhstan recently celebrated Republic Day, we look back at a holiday tradition: the presentation of state awards to distinguished citizens. Among these honors, the title of «Halyk Kaharmany» («People’s Hero») holds a special place as one of the country’s highest distinctions. Kursiv.media’s editorial team has analyzed publicly available data…
The annual Inktober challenge is coming to a close. Running from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, the monthlong celebration of ink-based art encourages artists of all skill levels to create and share one drawing each day, fostering practice, creativity and a sense of community. Kursiv.media presents its selection of the…
YouTube could expand beyond video and music to become a destination for audiobooks. The company is reportedly in talks with book publishers about licensing titles for a dedicated audiobook offering, which could be added to its YouTube Premium subscription as early as 2027, according to The Wall Street Journal. The…
Soviet animation icon Yuri Norstein has reportedly decided to donate his archive — including sketches, storyboards and drafts for «Hedgehog in the Fog» — to the Ghibli Museum in Japan. To Hayao Miyazaki. Not to Gosfilmofond, Russia’s state film archive and not to the long-promised Moscow animation museum that has…
The historical and educational project Qalam has explored how livestock were treated on the steppe before the advent of antibiotics and modern veterinary medicine. Kursiv LifeStyle looks at some of the unconventional methods used to care for horses, sheep and other animals. Herbs and toxic plants Nomads most often relied…
On Oct. 14, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians visited Almaty as part of their state visit to Kazakhstan, which ran from Oct. 11-14. Kursiv LifeStyle looks back at the royal couple’s visit to the country’s largest city. The royal couple shared photos from Almaty on social media.…
The Rolling Stones are reportedly working on new material, just three months after releasing their latest album, «Foreign Tongues.» Jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine, who recently recorded with the band, revealed the news, suggesting that the rock veterans have no plans to slow down. Speaking on the BBC Radio 3 program…
The original Darth Vader lightsaber used in the «Star Wars» films «The Empire Strikes Back» and «Return of the Jedi» is going up for auction again. The sale is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026, through Heritage Auctions. The prop was used during the lightsaber duels between Darth Vader and Luke…
«Digger,» a new film starring Tom Cruise, is now showing in Kazakhstan. In it, the actor steps away from his familiar action-star persona. One of the year’s most anticipated releases, the film has received a mixed-to-negative response from Western critics. After failing to make the Venice Film Festival lineup despite…
An unusual open-air museum, long rumored to be inaccessible to the public, is gaining popularity on social media. The place is real, and ordinary tourists can visit it. Kursiv LifeStyle explains where it is located and how to get in. The museum, called Ush Qiyan (“Three Expanses”), was founded by…
A new handbag collection from Italian fashion house Etro has divided social media users in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan into two camps. While some marvel at seeing “our patterns on the Milan runway,” others are demanding that the brand acknowledge the intellectual property rights of an entire region. Kursiv LifeStyle explores…
The best films created using artificial intelligence were recognized at the Astana AI Film Festival, where Latvian filmmaker Nikolay Shestak won the Grand Prix and a $450,000 prize. The festival took place Oct. 1-3 as part of AI Month, a series of events dedicated to artificial intelligence. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev…
Following the success of “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and the second season of “Weak Hero Class 2,” Korean series continue to dominate streaming platforms. Tatler Kazakhstan has rounded up the Korean shows worth watching. Read also: Indian filmmakers turn Almaty into South Korea. In 2026, viewers can look forward…
It seems law enforcement is now turning its attention not only to little-known streamers but also to popular bloggers. Two TikTok creators were sentenced to five days of administrative arrest each after posting videos containing profanity. Almaty police came across the videos while monitoring TikTok. The clips featured two young…
On Sept. 24, the exhibition “Jetyqaraqsi” (“Big Dipper”) opened at the Egin Artspace in Almaty, exploring time, distance and space through the work of renowned Kazakhstani artist Askhat Akhmedyarov. At the gallery entrance, visitors were greeted by a large installation made of kazans — traditional cast-iron cauldrons — bolted together.…
In September 2026, the Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Almaty opened its 93rd season. Every performance begins long before the curtain rises: dancers and performers hone their movements in rehearsal halls, sets take shape in workshops, and artists prepare for the stage in dressing rooms. In this…
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has told foreigners who violate Thai laws or exploit Thai people to leave the country, using unusually blunt language in response to a request to establish a private cemetery. Speaking at an Interior Ministry briefing with provincial governors on Sept. 17, Charnvirakul said foreigners who…
In the extreme summer heat, traditional methods of staying cool may seem surprising. Hot green tea instead of ice water, a thick quilted robe instead of an open T-shirt, and a felt yurt instead of a lightweight awning — these time-tested solutions helped residents of the steppes and cities of…
Today, Aug. 10, Kazakhstan celebrates Abai Day, honoring the great Kazakh poet, philosopher and thinker Abai Qunanbaiuly (1845-1904). His “Book of Words” remains widely read and influential in Kazakhstan. “Book of Words” (Kazakh: Қара сөздер, or Qara sozder) is Abai’s most famous prose work. The title is also rendered in…
While Christopher Nolan’s «The Odyssey» continues to rake in box-office revenue, rapper Travis Scott has unveiled a limited-edition clothing collection inspired by the film. Meanwhile, Alesya Kalish of Tatler Kazakhstan explores why the costumes in Nolan’s new hit are simultaneously impressive, irritating and never quite cohesive. First impressions Warnings about…
It turns out that sheep teeth are a time capsule, helping scientists track how medieval Kazakhs altered their lives to match a merciless climate. An international team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Michigan analyzed the enamel of sheep molars recovered from the archaeological site of Zhankent.…
The real-life inspiration for Princess Turandot, the legendary heroine of the opera by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, lived in what is now the Almaty region, according to Kazakh historian Zhaksylyk Sabitov, who has proposed making her part of the city’s cultural brand. Sabitov believes the historical figure behind the legendary…
