«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…
Although the trademark dispute between Chinese tea chain Molly Tea and French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton was decided June 29, the debate surrounding the case continues. Support for the local brand has spread across Chinese social media, with videos and posts drawing millions of views. Louis Vuitton won 10.3…
A wave of criticism erupted on Threads after a Karaganda resident said she was denied a job at a dental clinic because she wears a hijab. Kazakh users sharply criticized the clinic in the comments and accused its management of discrimination. A Threads user shared a screenshot of a conversation…
A heated debate has erupted on Kazakh social media after blogger Bauyrzhan Bakytzhanuly publicly showcased his life with three wives. His posts have fueled discussions about the legality and ethics of polygamous relationships in Kazakhstan, a secular country where polygamy is not legally recognized. Read also: Polygamy as policy: Kazakh…
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,…
