A historic match for Kazakhstan kicks off tomorrow, Sept. 30, 2025, as Almaty’s Kairat faces Real Madrid. Kursiv LifeStyle reports on the creative and desperate ways fans without tickets try to watch. Some supporters have attempted to get into Central Stadium «from the inside.» The stadium’s official website recently listed…
Kazakhstan’s biggest city, Almaty, has recently hosted several international events, including concerts by Jennifer Lopez and the Backstreet Boys, and it is preparing to host the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Kairat on Sept. 30. Although international tourists may come specifically for such events, Almaty also offers…
On the night of Sept. 29, a charter flight carrying Real Madrid players landed in Almaty. Among the arriving athletes were stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham. The team was accommodated at the five-star InterContinental Almaty, which is closed to other guests until the team leaves…
Real Madrid CF has released the list of players selected for the upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Kairat in Almaty, scheduled for Sept. 30. The squad, coached by Xabi Alonso, includes: Forwards: Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Rodrygo, Gonzalo García, Brahim Díaz and Franco Mastantuono. Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo…
Travelling to Central Asia — Almaty in particular — might seem challenging not only in terms of time spent in the air and layovers, but also from a gastronomic perspective. However, while traditional cuisine may differ from what is commonly popular worldwide, Almaty is a large multicultural city with a…
On Sept. 30, Almaty will come alive with football as Kairat hosts Real Madrid. Not everyone has tickets to the stadium, so many fans are looking for places to soak up the atmosphere outside the stands (“unofficial fan zones”). Bars, restaurants and terraces with large screens are among the most…
Kylian Mbappé, the most anticipated Real Madrid player in Kazakhstan and ambassador for the renowned Hublot brand, unveiled a limited-edition watch. The Swiss brand recently celebrated two significant milestones: the 70th anniversary of the European Cup and the 10th anniversary of its partnership with the UEFA Champions League. To commemorate…
Almaty is going to host a UEFA Champions League match, part of one of the most remarkable football tournaments in the world. The nearest match is scheduled for Sept. 30, with Real Madrid playing against FC Kairat at Central Stadium, just a 10-minute walk from Baikonur metro station. The city…
The cult pop boy band, at their peak in the late 1990s, shared their impressions in a large, heartfelt post on Instagram, accompanied by a photo set from performances and backstage moments in Almaty and Astana. «From the moment we touched down till the moment we departed, we felt truly…
With the landmark Kairat vs. Real Madrid match just days away, visiting fans are urged to prioritize their safety while in Almaty. A new official portal and mobile app, Safetravel.kz, is now the go-to resource for all travelers. Key features Mobile app access: Enables instant communication with police by dialing…
Amid the excitement surrounding the Champions League match between Kairat and Real Madrid, Almaty residents and visitors are searching for every possible way to watch the game. Kursiv LifeStyle reports on the best view of Central Stadium. Ticket sales for the anticipated match started at 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 23.…
Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and was once its capital. It’s rich in culture, natural beauty and modern conveniences. With tree-lined streets, lively cafés and mountain views close by, Almaty is a great place to visit. If you’re coming for the first time, here’s what you need to know about…
Former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev once sought to buy a villa (previously owned by Mobutu) on the French Riviera, Russian businessman Shalva Chigirinsky said in an interview with journalist Yuri Dud. Chigirinsky originally purchased the property in 2001 for $14.5 million. After leaving Russia, he sold it to Gazprom Neft,…
Digital nomads don’t seem to be rushing to Kazakhstan. Only 27 foreigners have obtained a Neo Nomad Visa since 2024. Kazakhstan does not appear to be among the most attractive destinations for foreign tourists with remote jobs. «Since the launch of the Neo Nomad Visa last year, 27 foreign nationals…
The Backstreet Boys’ official Instagram account uploaded a photo of Kevin Richardson wearing a shapan (a traditional Kazakh coat) with a golden eagle perched on his hand, set against the backdrop of the Almaty mountains. The photo appeared as a kind of answer to the ultimate question: «Where was Kevin…
A study out of Japan may disappoint die-hard ramen fans. Researchers in Yamagata Prefecture, the region where ramen is consumed most frequently, found that eating the dish too often is associated with a higher risk of death. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, showed…
Authorities in the South Korean city of Suwon, the capital of Gyeonggi Province south of Seoul, have launched an initiative to give the city a more «Korean» look by announcing a subsidy program to encourage small business owners to prioritize signboards in the Korean alphabet Hangul, rather than in foreign…
The Backstreet Boys shared photos from Kazakhstan’s capital after their concerts in Almaty and Astana. One of their activities was unwinding in a local steam bathhouse. Photos of four group members wearing sauna hats, steaming and plunging into a pool were uploaded to the boy band’s Instagram. «Found some time…
Crocs has prepared a surprise for horror movie fans, announcing the limited Classic Clog Horror Pack 2025 to celebrate Halloween. The line consists of three pairs referencing iconic characters from classic horror films. The new collection pays tribute to three legendary antagonists. White clogs with blood splatters reference Jason Voorhees…
Muscovites are buzzing about one of this fall’s biggest openings: a North Korean restaurant called Pyongyang. It is the first such venture from the DPRK in Moscow in 15 years. Singing for Kim Jong Un Locals say the restaurant occupies the space of the former Verba eatery. The name isn’t…
Kazakh horseman Ernar Zhasuzak from the Top Zhargan national arts center set a world record by riding two horses simultaneously for 2 kilometers at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour at the Almaty Hippodrome. The spectacular stunt, performed before a live audience, was officially recorded by representatives of the…
Nick Carter, one of the vocalists of the Backstreet Boys, caught the attention of Kazakhstani fans with an unusual detail in his outfit. In an Instagram Stories post from aboard an aircraft, Carter was sitting next to his groupmate Kevin Richardson while watching a video on a smartphone. What drew…
Every third Sunday of September, Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, marks City Day. This year, the celebrations took place on Sept. 21 and were spread across various tourist locations. A Kursiv.media correspondent visited one of the main festival venues on Sunday. The usual hotspots for events of this kind are Panfilov…
The sci-fi action film «Alter,» directed by Timo Vuorensola and starring Tom Felton, spotlights Astana as the nucleus of a futuristic society. The city’s bold architecture, needing minimal alteration, vividly conveys the cyberpunk aesthetic central to the film’s worldbuilding. “Alter” follows Leon (Tom Felton), a wheelchair-bound rebel championing society’s marginalized…
