This weekend, Astana will be the place for all things Korean, offering a good batch of festive activities to celebrate Korean culture; from movie screenings and concerts to enlightening lectures. Meanwhile, Almaty presents a captivating academic experience on Central Asian history and grand celebrations deeply rooted in the local traditions. Lastly, a different kind of festivity awaits Karagandy, as the city will host its first pet-friendly event, embracing our beloved furball friends.
Check out this and more events in the list by QazMonitor below.
Astana
#Alive (#살아있다, dir. Cho Il-hyung) screening
What starts as a typical day for Oh Joon-woo—booting up his system, running his go-to survival game, and chatting with friends—within minutes devolves into him staring at the pop-up alert from the government on his phone. Startled, he looks out the window to see streets engulfed in chaos as a mysterious virus spreads across the city. Now, he must survive.
NOTE: the movie will be in Korean with Russian subtitles.
Date: July 22, 2:00 p.m.
Address: Korean Cultural Center, Imanov Street 13
Entrance: Free
Introductory lecture on Korean culture
As the legend goes, Dangun — the son of a bear and the grandson of Heaven — built the walled city of Asadal and established the first kingdom on the Korean Peninsula. Whether that tale is true or not, the Kingdom of Gojoseon gave birth to the culture that persisted through multiple iterations to the present day.
NOTE: the lecture will be in Russian. Registration for the event via the organizer’s Instagram page is required.
Date: July 22, 4:00 p.m.
Address: Concept Art lectorium, Kerey and Zhanibek Khans Street 5
Entrance: ₸2,000
Korean culture festival – TRENDZ and Justevee Crew concert
If you're looking to dive into Korean culture, then it's high time for you, as the capital prepares to celebrate all aspects of Korean culture. Whether it's enjoying your dakgangjeong, a deep-fried crispy chicken, or participating in traditional games, there will be something for everyone. If you want to immerse yourself in the world of music, an emerging K-pop talent TRENDZ boys band, and popping masters Justevee Crew have got you covered.
Date: July 22
4:00 p.m. – the festival program
5:00 p.m. – the concert
Address: Astana Ballet, Uly Dala Avenue 43
Entrance: ₸7,000-₸15,000
Almaty
Workshop on the history of Central Asia by Nari Shelekpayev
Academic narratives on Central Asia often present an outsider's view of the region. Nari Shelekpayev's workshop seeks to foster a local language, opening new avenues on dominant narratives regarding such constructs as the Great Game and decolonization.
NOTE: the lectures will be in Russian. Registration for the event on Tselinny’s official webpage is required.
Date: July 22-23, 10:00 a.m.
Address: Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture, Zheltoksan Street 137
Entrance: Free
"Toi: creating inequalities or building social ties?" lecture
If you’ve ever been to Kazakhstan, or any Central Asian country for that matter, you’ve probably heard of tois – lavish festivities that can accompany any major event in a person's life, from wedding celebrations to a child's first steps. Deeply rooted in the local outlook on life, these events present a fascinating glimpse into the worldview of the Kazakh people.
NOTE: the lecture will be in Russian.
Date: July 22,11:00 a.m.
Address: Institut Sorbonne-Kazakhstan, Kazybek Bi Street 28
Entrance: Free
Karagandy
DobroFest
Attention animal lovers! Don't miss out on the delightful pet-friendly fest happening this Sunday in Karagandy — a day filled with exciting contests for our furball friends. It will have everything; from art workshops where local artists will draw cats to dog fashion shows featuring DIY costumes. The event will also aim to raise funds for homeless pets and offer valuable advice from veterinary specialists.
Date: July 23, 2:00 p.m.
Address: Central Park near Green City Park apartment building
Entrance: Free
