Capital City's Street Celebration
Nauryz Festive Fair in Astana: A Cultural and Economic Celebration
The city of Astana is currently hosting a three-day Nauryz Festive Fair, celebrating the Kazakh New Year and the arrival of spring. From March 21 to 23, the international exhibition center EXPO is transformed into a vibrant spring bazaar, showcasing traditional food products, cultural attributes, and local entrepreneurship.
The fair is a testament to the rich Kazakh culinary heritage, with traditional dishes such as koumiss and saumal ice cream, fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and dairy products, Eastern sweets, baursaki, and other treats on offer. Visitors can also explore national clothing, souvenirs, paintings, tableware, household items, bedding, and more, all presented in a Kazakh-style setting that evokes the feel of a traditional spring market.
One of the participants, Aidyn Serikkazin, has travelled from the Akmola region to present his unique koumiss and saumal ice cream at the fair. The fair also features over 100 tons of food products from various regions of the country, making it a culinary journey through Kazakhstan.
Beyond its cultural significance, the Nauryz Festive Fair is an economic catalyst for local entrepreneurs. With over 50 entrepreneurs participating, the fair provides a valuable platform for small businesses to present and sell their goods to a broad audience, stimulating small business growth and preserving artisanal skills. By attracting visitors interested in authentic cultural experiences, it boosts local economic activity and encourages the continuation of indigenous crafts and gastronomy.
Adil Kapasalamov, the head of the department for trade and service development at the Investment and Entrepreneurship Development Department of Astana, emphasised that one of the main goals of the fair is to support domestic producers working with local raw materials. He also highlighted that the fair is an excellent opportunity for residents to buy quality products at affordable prices.
Visitors to the fair have expressed great interest and enjoyment. Erkenaz Naurhan, one such visitor, stated that the fair has a festive atmosphere and that they found everything they needed, making for a great time at the fair.
The Nauryz Festive Fair in Astana is not just a celebration of Kazakh culture and tradition, but also a crucial step in the development of local entrepreneurship and the preservation of Kazakhstan's unique gastronomy and crafts.
