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The First Day of Spring in Kazakhstan 08-Apr-2008 |
Welcome to Kazakhstan in three languages: Kazakh,
Russian, and English.
 President Nursultan Nazarbaev desires that Kazakhstan become tri-lingual, with Kazakh, the heart language of more than 60% of the people, as the official state language. Russian as the language of cross-ethnic communication between all people groups. And English as the language which advances Kazakhstan onto the world stage. |
| Kazakh New Year - March 22 It makes a lot of sense, that with the promise of new life in Spring after the dead of winter, that the Kazakh New Year begins with the first day of Spring! Although there was still snow and ice on much of the ground and the temperatures were still cool, the people of Astana gathered by the thousands to welcome the New Year/Spring. The Army Band played while the Army Guard displayed their marching precision. |
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  Pyramid of PeaceAt one end of the Captial Mall is the Pyramid of Peace. Built in 2006, it represents the coming together of the world's religions seeking peace and harmony. President Nazarbaev led a gathering of religious leaders from around the world, in a special meeting room in the top section of the pyramid, and led them in signing a document of tolerance towards all religions. The statue out front represents Kazakh culture with the four traditionally dressed girls holding the "crown" of the traditional Yurta, or tent, which the nomadic Kazakh people lived. This crown is a very powerful symbol of Kazakh life, in that the "crown" held everything together and without it, their dwelling could not stand. This symbol is found in the center of the national symbol of Kazakhstan, on their currency, and in much of the artwork produced by local craftsmen. |
| The Flags of Kazakhstan and Astana |
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 Astana at night. |