On April 4, 2025, a significant cultural festival will commence in Aktau, a port city in western Kazakhstan situated on the Caspian Sea. This event marks the city's designation as the cultural capital of the Turkic world for the year 2025.

The festival program includes a variety of events, such as concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances, and workshops, which will take place until April 6th. Over 500 artists from various countries are expected to participate. A key feature of the festival will be the ethno-village "Darkhan Dala," where visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the traditions and crafts of Turkic peoples, as well as sample national cuisine.

Furthermore, throughout the year, Aktau will host festivals of folklore and traditional arts, as well as academic and cultural forums. This will establish a unique platform for the exchange of experience and cultural interaction. The status of cultural capital will also serve to draw attention to the region's historical monuments and support their preservation.

Aktau was granted the status of the cultural capital of the Turkic world for 2025 in November 2024, succeeding the city of Anau in Turkmenistan.

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