The Miss Qazaqstan 2025 pageant will not be open to transgender contestants, according to pageant director Aizhan Ruzayeva. In a recent social media video, Ruzayeva walked back remarks she made during a June 18 press conference. At the time, she stated that both transgender and plus-size women could participate in…
Kazakhstan has marked the 90th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the world’s most widespread peer-support program for alcohol addiction, founded in the U.S. in 1935. Anniversary in Almaty AA has been active in Kazakhstan since 2012, bringing together hundreds of people who have chosen a life free from alcohol. A…
Central Asia — and Kazakhstan in particular — is quickly gaining popularity among travelers from both the West and Asia. But like any destination, Kazakhstan has its quirks that might feel unusual or even a bit surprising to first-time visitors. Dim evening lighting Some travelers, especially those who visited Almaty…
Stray animals are a common sight in many cities and some people go out of their way to make their lives a little easier. In Shymkent, the owner of Mary’s Coffee installed a handmade shelter for a stray cat named Moti right next to her cozy local café, where she…
The most expensive item of clothing ever sold from a pop star’s wardrobe was stitched from a tea towel. This fun fact was revealed by Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls, who wore the now-iconic dress. The fashion item even earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.…
Birdwatchers around the world have a rare opportunity to observe the sociable lapwing (Vanellus gregarius), a species slightly larger than a pigeon that nests exclusively in Kazakhstan and parts of southern Russia. The bird has a light gray-brown plumage, with a distinctive black stripe along the top of its head…
The Almaty Zoo recently shared the inspiring story of Diana, a jaguar who overcame life-threatening injuries and has been living at the zoo for 18 years. As a cub, Diana was seriously injured in an attack by an adult jaguar — her own father. The incident, which occurred in 2007,…
Several media outlets in Georgia have reported that one of the most recognizable, although controversial, buildings in Tbilisi, the Music Theatre and Exhibition Hall designed by architect Massimiliano Fuksas, may be dismantled. The pipe-shaped structure is located in the capital’s Rhike Park. The Italian architect completed the hall in 2012…
Ticketon.kz has released ticket prices for Jennifer Lopez’s Aug. 10, 2025, concert at Central Stadium in Almaty. The most expensive seats, located in the VIP zone directly in front of the stage, are priced at 180,000 tenge (about $350). Seats in rows closest to the stage are slightly cheaper, at…
Recently, Threads, the social network created by Instagram’s parent company Meta, has been gaining remarkable popularity in Kazakhstan. Kursiv LifeStyle explores the phenomenon behind this Twitter alternative, now known as X, created by Mark Zuckerberg. Officially launched in July 2023, Threads quickly became a global sensation. Debuting in 100 countries,…
The Park Live Almaty international music festival, set to take place in Almaty for the second time, has announced its second wave of performers. Belgian artist Apashe, performing with Brass Orchestra, and Elderbrook, a prominent voice in new-school electronic music, have joined the event’s lineup. They will share the stage…
The Gstaad Guy, a British blogger with 1.2 million subscribers, including movie and music stars, and even Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark, visited Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. The videos he posted on his Instagram account immediately went viral. Kursiv LifeStyle decided to check out what the Gstaad…
Sometimes, French President Emmanuel Macron meets with high-profile guests in the company of his Tazy dogs. Pictures of him and the king of Denmark with the dogs prove this. Kazakh Tazy dogs were presented to Macron by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan in a gesture of respect and friendship in…
Nikken Sekkei Ltd., a Japanese architectural, planning and engineering firm, will be the key contractor responsible for preparing a new general plan for Bishkek. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev has already officially approved the decision. Rumors about the Japanese company working on the master plan had been circulating since 2023.…
“Zheztyrnak,” a movie based on Kazakh ethnic folklore and made by Kazakhstani studio Clover Street Production, has made it to the semifinal of the prestigious Bloody Horror International Film Festival in Canada. This is the most renowned international platform for the best independent horror movies from all over the world.…
In an interview with the Kabar news agency, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov explained that his government had legalized casinos to attract foreign investment and promote tourism, as reported by Kaktus.media. However, the president emphasized that Kyrgyz nationals are prohibited from going to casinos. «There are three casinos in Bishkek.…
As the number of registered vehicles in Kazakhstan continues to grow, so does the number of traffic accidents. Freedom Insurance has shared data with Kursiv.media, revealing that city buses, China’s Changan and Chery crossovers and budget-friendly Chevrolet sedans are among the most accident-prone vehicles. Experts attribute this trend to high…
The Central Asia Fashion Spring 2025 international exhibition has concluded at the Atakent International Exhibition Centre in Almaty. Kursiv LifeStyle shares experts’ insights on the industry’s current state and future prospects. The future of shopping centers Considerable attention has been paid to the development of shopping centers. According to Dmitry…
The renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen will release his new song «Love’s Not Over Yet» in collaboration with two-time Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Walter Afanasieff. The song is scheduled to premiere on March 7, 2025. Afanasieff is an acclaimed composer who has worked with some of the biggest names in…
Legendary Spanish tenor José Carreras will perform in Astana and Almaty in June 2025 as part of his farewell world tour. Carreras made his first public performance at the age of eight and launched his professional career in 1970 at Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona at the age of…
In 2024, Kazakhstan’s used car market reported near-zero sales growth amid a decline in used car prices. This resulted from a quantitative and qualitative expansion in the availability of brand-new vehicles. Official dealers set a historic record in passenger car sales, surpassing 200,000 units sold last year. The booming sales…
According to the Speedtest Global Index, Kazakhstan climbed one position, reaching 57th place in the global internet speed ranking. The ranking analyzed aggregated data on download and upload speeds, as well as data transfer via mobile and broadband internet. In terms of mobile internet connection speed, Kazakhstan was ranked 57th…
Yuji Beleza, a popular Japanese blogger and polyglot has once again arrived in Kazakhstan to meet his followers, enjoy the nature of the Almaty region and enhance his Kazakh language skills. The 26-year-old blogger has gained popularity in Kazakhstan thanks to his resemblance to Kazakhs and his love for Kazakhstani…
