Kazakh videographer Dastan Mukhamedrakhim, known on Instagram as Bydastann, has won the prestigious WIBA Awards 2026 in Cannes and has been named the world’s best travel blogger.

This award is often referred to as the “Oscars” for bloggers and digital projects. The ceremony took place as part of the Cannes Film Festival, where the Kazakh creator’s name was mentioned alongside global influencers.

What is most remarkable is that just a few years ago, Dastan was an ordinary Kazakh language and literature teacher from East Kazakhstan. It all began when he started filming videos for his school’s Instagram page using a simple iPhone 6. Today, more than 1.7 million people follow his atmospheric videos about Kazakhstan.

Thanks to his cinematic footage, millions of people around the world have seen the real Kazakhstan — its mountains, steppes, lakes, cities, and culture. Last year, one of his videos was even officially reposted by Instagram.

On social media, Kazakhstanis are widely congratulating Dastan, saying this victory belongs not only to the blogger but to the whole country.

On behalf of the Cultural Heritage Foundation, we congratulate 🎉 Dastan and wish him continued success!