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Searching for the Soul of a City…
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

So by now I’ve spent 10 months living and working in Almaty. I’ve had some time to think, what makes Almaty interesting? What sets it apart? Why am I writing about it…besides the obvious fact that it’s the only city I currently reside, and thus my only material for these ramblings.

Before talking about Almaty in specific, let’s consider in general what gives a city it’s character, a sense of place? Certainly there are things that make each city unique. Perhaps it’s quantifiable, e.g. x number of quaint curved streets plus y meters of glittering waterfront times z colorful citizenry. Or maybe its not so specific, an atmosphere, a rhythm. Whatever the case, even without thinking about it whenever you visit a city it doesn’t take long to get a sense of where you are. After some time in Berlin, you are in no way mistaken as to where you are. Tokyo is definitely Tokyo, Paris is Paris, Istanbul is… well you get the idea. The identity of a city is also tied to its country and citizens. Tokyo is quite Japanese, Paris undoubtedly French, modern, sprawling Istanbul is (despite a long and varied multinational history) Turkish.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=211

July 26, 2008 | 4:08 AM Comments  0 comments

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Gumir   Gumir Gumir's TIGblog
Gumir's profile

Searching for the Soul of a City…
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

So by now I’ve spent 10 months living and working in Almaty. I’ve had some time to think, what makes Almaty interesting? What sets it apart? Why am I writing about it…besides the obvious fact that it’s the only city I currently reside, and thus my only material for these ramblings.

Before talking about Almaty in specific, let’s consider in general what gives a city it’s character, a sense of place? Certainly there are things that make each city unique. Perhaps it’s quantifiable, e.g. x number of quaint curved streets plus y meters of glittering waterfront times z colorful citizenry. Or maybe its not so specific, an atmosphere, a rhythm. Whatever the case, even without thinking about it whenever you visit a city it doesn’t take long to get a sense of where you are. After some time in Berlin, you are in no way mistaken as to where you are. Tokyo is definitely Tokyo, Paris is Paris, Istanbul is… well you get the idea. The identity of a city is also tied to its country and citizens. Tokyo is quite Japanese, Paris undoubtedly French, modern, sprawling Istanbul is (despite a long and varied multinational history) Turkish.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=211

July 26, 2008 | 4:08 AM Comments  0 comments

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Religion
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

All in all, 275 religious associations and groups representing 42 confessions of faith are active in Almaty. This is a 10-fold increase from 1991, and a growing trend is observed.

These are Islam - 38, Russian Orthodox Church - 14, Old Believers - 2, Ahmadiyya – 2, Roman Catholic Church - 5, Judaism - 2, Lutheran Church - 5, Evangelical Christian-Baptists - some 20, Seventh-Day Adventists - 5, Pentecostals 4, Presbyterians, Bible-Christians and affiliated sects - over 40, Jehovah's Witnesses - about 30, New Apostolic Church - 2, Unification Church - 2, Buddhism - 2, the Last Testament Church – 1, Charismatic Associations - 16, Church of Jesus Christ - 2, Bahai - 2, New Orientalistic Associations (Society for Krishna Consciousness, Vaisnava, Shri Chinmoy, etc.) - 4, Biblical Church - 1, esoteric (Great White Brotherhood) - 1, Armenian Gregorian Church - 1, Transcendental Meditation - 1, Scientologists - 1 and others.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=11

May 22, 2008 | 10:10 AM Comments  0 comments

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Kok Tobe
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Location: Kok Tobe, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Description: Kok Tobe (Kazakh: Green Hill) a mountain on the south-eastern outskirts of Almaty. It is also the name of the popular recreation name on the top of the mountain.

The Kok Tobe recreational area has a variety of amusement-park type attractions and restaurants, as well as a number of good viewpoints. It is connected to downtown Almaty by Swiss Funicular.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=55

May 18, 2008 | 4:57 AM Comments  0 comments

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Soon Almaty will have no water left
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Almaty in the forthcoming year may have no water left, agency reports with reference to the newspaper "Express-K."

"The situation is that in some years on the top stores of many Almaty apartments houses there would be no water," the newspaper says.

The reason for this is a sharp deficit of water, which is already for several years is being experienced in the city. At the same time the consumption is growing with every year. "In 2006 Almaty drank 272 million cubic metres of water, in 2007 - 292 million. Now daily water consumption makes up for 820 - 840 thousand cubic meters in 24 hours," the newspaper runs.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=157

May 17, 2008 | 1:18 AM Comments  0 comments

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Almaty - Central Asian Buzz
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Coming out of the train, Almaty has a familiar but at the same time very distinctive feel to me. I have my 4000m snowy mountains in the backdrop, lots of trees, green spaces and a cool, dry climate (at least this early morning - it got very hot and rainy after that). On the other hand I am not used to have the wise words of President Sarkozy on a huge ad in the middle of town, a cop standing at every corner of the city's main arteries, or a crumbling and impossibly ugly looking soviet buildings in the prime area of the city. But these are honestly the only negative thing I can first see, at least as a tourist. As a resident, President Nazerbaev change of moods and his personnal swiss bank accounts (I can confirm I worked in one of those banks) containing more assets than the equivalent of the country annual GDP are surely not that pleasant to live with...

Otherwise it is a very young, cosmopolitan city(mostly to a Russian and central Asian extend) and by far the wealthiest and consequently expensive city in Central Asia. The place has most bars, restaurants and night clubs and the region's largest student population. I know it might not mean much for you all, but trust me coming from the student-starved Geneva this is one exciting place!

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=154

May 16, 2008 | 1:01 AM Comments  0 comments

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Central Mosque
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Location: 12' Pushkin str.,
Almaty, Kazakstan

Description: This blue turquoise dome mosque is very beautiful, the biggest Mosque in Almaty and it's the new main central building of Islam in the city. This true Central Asia style of mosque has 5 graceful minarets, all with blue domes.

For performance muslim rite, come all Almaty's ethnic groups: Kazakhs, Tatars, Turks, Azerbaijanese, Dungans, Uigurs and more. Particularly much folk at Juma (kazakh friday). Build-up instead of older Almaty's Mosque. Near Mosque: Green Bazaar, Almaty's Arbat.

via http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=86

May 15, 2008 | 2:14 AM Comments  0 comments

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Svyato-Voznesensky Cathedral
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Location: Panfilov's Park,
Almaty, Kazakstan

Description: The dominant project by russian architect's Zenkov. Svyato-Voznesensky Cathedral (Cathedral of Holy Ascension) was built in 1904. Almaty's building which survived the 1911s earthquake. The cathedral is built entirely of wood, and without nails. The walls are painted with sharp colours, mainly blue, green and red. The snow-capped mountains just stands behind the church's domes and the bulbs and give the city an incredible amazing atmosphere.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=85

May 12, 2008 | 12:15 PM Comments  0 comments

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Trekking in the Zailiyskiy Alatau
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

There are many areas in the Semirechye (russian - Seven Rivers) region where it is possible to organize treks of various categories of complexity and length. The most popular amongst trekkers are in the Zailiyskiy Alatau Mountains, especially as they neighbor upon the city of Almaty, where it is possible to buy or hire all the necessary equipment for trekking, as well as receive consultations concerning the different routes and theiradvantages.

The Zailiyskiy Alatau is the most northern range in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains. Its highest peak is Talgar (4973 meters). The Zailiyskiy Alatau possesses both easy (non-categorical) and difficult passes, and a vast glaciation zone. They are distinguished be a rare diversity of flora and fauna, and it is possible to see the maral (Cervus elaphus), the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), the wild boar (Sus scrofa), the wolf (Canis lupus), the fox (Vulpes), the badger (Meles meles) and various rodents. Also resident in the region are the Tien Shan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) and the snow leopard (Uncia uncia).

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=64

May 11, 2008 | 12:51 PM Comments  0 comments



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Charyn's Canyon
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Location: Near Almaty, Kazakhstan

Description: Charyn's Canyon - "kazakh Colorado", is an 80km canyon in Kazakhstan on the Charyn River 200km east of Almaty close to the Chinese border. One part of it is known as Valley of Castles for its unusual rock formations, it is somewhat reminiscent of the Grand Canyon.

Commonly referred to as Dolina Zamkov (russian Valley of the Castles), Charyn's Canyon is one finest nature spots. With fantastic Grand canyon-style rock sculptures and multi-coloured gorges, the 80 km canyon has excellent canyoning hiking.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=96

May 10, 2008 | 2:53 PM Comments  0 comments

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Almaty to host 15th healthcare exhibition KIHE – 2008
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The 15th Kazakhstan’s international healthcare exhibition KIHE – 2008 will take place in Almaty on May 14-17.

The event is being organized by Iteca exhibition company and officially supported by Kazakhstan’s Healthcare Ministry, the Almaty Akimat (municipality), Kazakh National Medical University and Medtechnika Joint Stock Company.

KIHE – 2008 is the largest international healthcare exhibition in the region. The previous year 192 companies from 23 countries took part in the exhibition.

The event will serve as a platform for the international companies to tap the vast Central Asian market. In 2008, the Kazakhstan Government alone plans to allocate about $1.1 bln to the healthcare development, which is 40 % higher than in 2007.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=148

May 9, 2008 | 11:44 PM Comments  0 comments

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Medeo
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Medeo is a picturesque valley located 15 km above Almaty. Besides beautiful nature there are some other attractions to see, one of which is the world's largest speed skating rink know as Medew.

The other one is a dike, which is a fine piece of engineering, and was created to protect the city from mud floods. Here is the famous skating rink with artificial ice in the valley between beautiful mountains on 1691 m above the sea level. A little upper of the stadium you can see the setting pool with the crystal water which is used for the ice on the skating rink.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=18

May 9, 2008 | 11:54 AM Comments  0 comments

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Swabian Small House
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Location: 121' Abylai Khan Ave.,
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Description: Have you ever been in Germany: to walk oin ancient streets, paved with stones, to admire small, practically doll houses drowning in colors, grandiose locks of the last centuries? And whether you tried the real German cuisine which is considered to be the best in Europe?

Now inhabitants and visitors of southern capital needn't to make tiresome long trips to feel the charm of Swabian hospitality, and to plunge into special atmosphere of German gashtets.

For those who is able and likes to have a rest, round-the-clock beer restaurant Swabian Small House has flung open the doors. It is executed in the best traditions of German gashtet where it would be desirable to come again and again: to try national cuisine, good wine, fresh beer, tactful service and pleasant rest.

full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=51

May 9, 2008 | 5:57 AM Comments  0 comments



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Kazakhstan's first kosher restaurant opens for business
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Almaty - Kazakhstan's first kosher restaurant opened it's doors for business Wednesday in what Jewish community leaders said was a symbol of their culture's revival in the mainly Muslim Central Asian state.

Kazakhstan, a steppe nation of nomadic roots, has prided itself on being relatively tolerant toward other religions compared with other ex-Soviet states.

Kazakhstan's chief Rabbi Yeshayah Cohen recited a prayer and greeted community members as the brick-and-wood tavern, called "Kosher" and financed by private investors, opened in Kazakhstan's financial capital.



full article: http://www.almatycity.com/index.php?newsid=78

May 9, 2008 | 1:24 AM Comments  0 comments



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Mad Murphy's Irish Pub
Related to country: Kazakhstan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Location: 12' Tole bi str., at Zenkov str.,
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Description: Murphy's is a classic Irish pub catering to the expat community and locals who want to be seen. The spacious and well-designed interior provides plenty of room to rub elbows with the mates or just have an intimate conversation over a meal. For those who need their sports fix, Murphy's has always got something showing on one of the two TV's downstairs. They've also got a pool table upstairs and a massive TV. for viewing any one of their 900 videos, which are also available for rent.

For those expats visiting Almaty for the first time, I would suggest Mad Murphy's Pub, especially when either the Brits or Aussies are playing football. The place is packed with both, and quite noisy. But it is nice to hear English and find conversation with some great people. I should add, that you can get some western style food here , nice helpings served with a smile. On warmer days at lunch time nice to sit outside on terrace enjoying those french fries, milk shake and cheese burger.

http://www.almatycity.com/

May 8, 2008 | 2:29 PM Comments  0 comments



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