On April 5, the Mangystau Region hosted the grand opening ceremony of the "Aktau – Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" year. Performances by global pop stars, artists from Kazakhstan and abroad, master classes from renowned artisans, and a drone show – all these events took place on the Aktau embankment, drawing tens of thousands of spectators.
The event, aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries and promoting shared values, was attended by the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva, Akim of the Mangystau Region Nurdaulet Kilybay, Secretary General of the International Organization TURKSOY Sultan Raev, Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY member countries, public figures, members of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, representatives of international organizations, and foreign ambassadors.
President’s Greeting
On the occasion of this significant event, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a congratulatory letter. The message from the Head of State was read at the opening ceremony by Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva.
In his letter, the President noted that granting Aktau the status of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World is an important event not only for Kazakhstan but for all fraternal Turkic states.
"This event is of great significance for Kazakhstan and all brotherly nations. The historical land of Mangystau and the rich Ustyurt region are integral parts of Turkic civilization. This sacred land preserves the centuries-old spiritual heritage of our people and the entire Turkic world. Strengthening the cooperation of peoples connected by common traditions and history is our shared task. I am confident that this landmark year will bring about meetings that further strengthen our brotherhood and lead to important decisions. May the unity of the Turkic peoples grow stronger! I wish you all prosperity, happiness, and success!" – the President wrote.
Festive Program
The opening ceremony featured choreographed performances emphasizing the shared heritage of Turkic peoples. The nomadic civilization with its millennia-long history, ancestral legacy, and spiritual continuity were reinterpreted on stage.
World-famous stars took to the stage as part of the celebration. The global megastar Dimash Kudaibergen, Azerbaijani singer Roza Zərgərli, the renowned Uzbek artist Yulduz Usmanova, and the popular pop singer Kalifarniya delighted the audience with vibrant performances.
Regional governor Nurdaulet Kilybay emphasized the importance of cultural unity within the Turkic world.
"President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that the main goal is to transform the Turkic world into a vital economic and cultural space of the 21st century. The unity of the Turkic-speaking community is underscored by the leaders of our brotherly nations. Today’s gathering in Mangystau is a vivid confirmation of this. Mangystau was part of the Great Silk Road. In ancient times, caravan routes transported not only goods but also the fruits of culture and civilization.
Today’s Mangystau has strong potential in logistics and tourism. Considering that Mangystau borders half of the TURKSOY member states by land and sea, I am confident that this meeting will serve as a foundation for further fruitful cooperation and lead to new projects that will strengthen Turkic collaboration even more," said Kilybay.
Drone Show
The opening ceremony continued in the evening with a stunning drone light show, allowing residents and guests of Aktau to enjoy a spectacular visual display. Over 500 drones took to the sky, forming the flag of Kazakhstan, animals typical of Mangystau’s nature, the Bozzhyra landscape, the event logo, and elements of Kazakh national culture.
The series of events dedicated to the opening of "Aktau – Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" will continue on April 6. A large gala concert featuring famous stars from Turkic countries and domestic performers will be held at the ethnovillage. In total, 1,149 performers are participating in the project, including 125 international artists, musicians, dancers, and artisans.
It is worth noting that throughout the year, over 30 international cultural and creative projects are scheduled to take place in celebration of Aktau’s status. Festivals, scientific conferences, exhibitions, and competitions are planned through the end of November.
