Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, is preparing to host an extensive series of over 200 events over a span of 10 days to celebrate Nauryz, the traditional holiday marking the arrival of spring, an official announcement from the city’s administration confirmed on Wednesday.
The festivities will kick off with a variety of cultural events, including concerts, exhibitions, and performances. One of the major highlights will take place on March 19, also known as Renewal Day, which will feature a citywide clean-up as part of the Taza Kazakhstan environmental campaign. This event will be complemented by a crafting competition and a food festival showcasing traditional, yet forgotten, national dishes.
On March 20, National Sports Day will take center stage with a national sports competition hosted at the Nurly Zhurek Social Services Center. Additionally, the Active Longevity Center will organize a togyzkumalak (a traditional Kazakh board game) tournament for pensioners. A family relay race will take place at the Qazaqstan Track and Field Sports Complex, while equestrian performances will be held at the Argymak Sports Complex.
The Unity and Solidarity Day on March 21 will feature a concert by a local orchestra at the National Military-Patriotic Center. That same day, a puppet theatre will present the “Nauryz-Duman” show, while the city will also host a Walking Football tournament.
A special ceremony, the Nauryz Syilygy national awards, will take place on March 22, recognizing contributions to Kazakhstan’s cultural and social life.
The 10-day celebration will conclude on March 23, marked as Cleansing Day, which will focus on environmental initiatives, including a citywide campaign to clear snow from public areas. The global Earth Hour event will also be observed from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time.
The extensive line-up of events underscores the significance of Nauryz as a time for renewal and community unity across Kazakhstan.
