Astana hosted the closing ceremony of the Cross Year of Culture between Kazakhstan and China, which featured about 40 events organized in the two countries. The ceremony also announced plans to open a Chinese Cultural Center in the capital by the end of the year. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The Kalibek Kuanyshbayev Kazakh National Musical and Drama Theater hosted a concert by artists from both countries and a thematic exhibition. The event was organized by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information and China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The ceremony was attended by Kazakhstan's Minister of Culture and Information Arman Kyrykbayev, China's Charge d'Affaires in Kazakhstan Cheng Kefan, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Arman Isagaliyev, representatives of the diplomatic corps and cultural figures.
Throughout the year, exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events were held in Kazakhstan and China. Among them were the "Culture of the Nomads of the Great Steppe" exhibition at the museum of Zhejiang Province and a joint exhibition with the Shanghai Museum of Art Collections in Almaty.
Events dedicated to National Dombyra Day, Abai Day and the 180th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev were held in Beijing.
Kyrykbayev noted that cultural ties between the two countries are based on the shared history of the Great Silk Road, and that relations between Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and China's President Xi Jinping contribute to the development of cooperation.
"The Cross Year of Culture gave additional impetus to our humanitarian ties. It allowed us to get closer to each other's history, traditions and art, and opened new opportunities for joint creative projects," the minister said.
Kazakhstan's cultural center in Beijing already operates as a platform for introducing Chinese audiences to the country's culture. The opening of the Chinese Cultural Center in Astana is expected by the end of 2026.
Cheng Kefan recalled that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China. He expressed the Chinese side's readiness to expand interaction in culture, tourism, youth policy, science and education.
The concert featured Medet Shotabayev, Rukhiya Baidukenova, the "Birlik" dance ensemble, the dombyra ensemble of the Kulyash Baiseitova Kazakh National University of Arts, and soloists of the Ningbo Song and Dance Theater Zhao Lu and Xu Yongjia.
The choreographic production and photo exhibition were dedicated to the friendship between Kazakh composer Bakytzhan Baikadamov and Chinese composer Xian Xinghai.
Guests were also presented with traditional Chinese products and crafts, including Ningbo porcelain, decorative lanterns and woven bells.
The Cross Year of Culture of Kazakhstan and China opened on March 31, 2026, with a gala concert in Beijing.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that the Cross Year of Culture of Kazakhstan and China opened with a gala concert in Beijing, attended by about a thousand guests. The program featured the Kurmangazy Orchestra, the HasSak group, artists of Astana Opera and Astana Ballet, as well as Chinese ensembles. Among the areas of cooperation for 2026 were joint archaeological research, training of stage art personnel and development of creative industries.