The upcoming holiday weekend will mark New Year celebrations and the transition from 2023 to 2024. The Astana crowd can look forward to a photo exhibition by a veteran cinematographer, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of young Kazakh cinema talent. The capital will also host an exhibition featuring new Altaic aesthetics, bringing forth fresh insights from the ancient homeland of the Turkic people. Meanwhile, residents of Almaty will have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with contemporary Uzbek culture and cuisine as talent from the neighboring country gathers in the southern metropolis.
Check out these and more holiday events in the list by QazMonitor below.
Astana
Ayla: The Daughter of War (Ayla, dir. Can Ulkay) screening with Korean scholar Kamila Kayriden
When the Korean Peninsula was ravaged by a devastating war, a 25-year-old Turkish soldier was among those who volunteered to stop the massacre. But when Suleyman Dilbirligi reached the front lines, he was prepared for everything except the sight of a scared lost girl on the battlefield. Now, he must protect her from the bloodshed that has gripped her homeland.
NOTE: The open discussion after the screening will be conducted in Russian. Registration for the event is available through Concept Art's Instagram.
Date: December 29, 7:00 p.m.
Address: Concept Art lecture hall, Kerey and Zhanibek Khans Street 5, office 23, 2nd floor
Entrance: ₸3,000
"The Young Wave in Kazakh Cinema" photo exhibition by cinematographer Talgat Taishanov
It's not just magic that happens behind the scenes of a movie; it's more than that. The level of professionalism required for choosing a filming location, testing equipment, casting actors, and more, is, simply put—hard work. This is precisely why veteran cinematographer Talgat Taishanov organized a photo exhibition to showcase his students' works and their path to artistic mastery.
Date: until December 31
Address: Sal-Seri gallery, Heydar Aliyev Street 10/1
Entrance: Free
"On The Wolves Trails" exhibition by Arzhan Yuteev
The land of Altay, said to be the motherland of all Turkic people, is a home for ancient spirits that dwell in the embrace of Mother Earth, Umay, and Tengri the Great Sky. Russian artist Arzhan Yuteev walks a wolf path, traveling the realms of legends, and hidden meanings, striving to bring forth new Altaic aesthetics and beauty.
Date: until January 15
Address: Forte Kulanshi Art Space, Dostyq Street 8/1
Entrance: Free
Almaty
Progressive Uzbek Culture Day
It's time for the Kazakh and Uzbek talent to come together; discuss and celebrate our commonalities and differences. So, prepare for the cultural exchange between the two nations to flow this Friday. Experience the richness of exceptional Uzbek cuisine, explore local creative communities, and listen to music straight from Central Asia’s biggest city, Tashkent.
Date: December 29
4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. – Tashkent wedding plov from Uzbek cuisine expert, oshpaz
4:00 p.m. – Open talk on creative communities in Central Asia with Odil Mukhamedov and Karina Ivanova
7:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. – Concert
Address: DOM36, Baribayev Street 36
Entrance: ₸8,025
NOTE: The day program has free entry; a ticket is only required for the concert portion of the event.
Qazart Viewing Rooms exhibition
The Qazart Viewing Rooms project opens its doors to showcase twenty art pieces created between the 1990s and 2023, allowing viewers to explore contemporary Kazakh art. The exhibition features works such as Lyazzat Khanim’s everyday realism and the imaginative sculptures of the late Saken Narynov.
Date: until January 15
Address: Egin Art Space, Nurmakov Street 79
NOTE: The entry is only by appointment through the specified contact on Qazart’s Instagram.
"Frida Kahlo – Living Paintings" exhibition
The works of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo cannot be blamed for a lack of expressiveness; they are imbued with something vivid and real. Throughout her life, Frida Kahlo created over a hundred paintings, and each one has the power to touch the hidden strings in the viewer’s soul, evoking almost fervent sensations.
Date: from January 1 until March 25
Address: Lumiere-hall, Al-Farabi Avenue 13, k2b
Entrance: ₸3,500–₸4,500
