The past season confirmed the Astana Ballet Theatre's steady growth and its relevance on both the national and international stages. 2026 promises to be a kaleidoscope of premiere productions and large-scale touring projects, united by bold artistic ideas and an international scope.
The new season will focus on developing the theatre's creative direction, expanding its repertoire, and actively engaging with the national and international cultural scene.
The focus will be on premiere productions that build a dialogue between classical heritage and contemporary choreography. Throughout the year, audiences will be treated to new large-scale productions, each reflecting the theatre's key artistic landmarks.
The contemporary one-act ballet "Bolero X," set to music by Maurice Ravel and based on the orchestral variations of Boléro, will offer audiences an aesthetic reflection on the nature of dance and the process of its birth. This production will highlight the theater's commitment to engaging with audiences through the language of contemporary choreography, reimagining 20th-century musical masterpieces in a contemporary theatrical interpretation.
A special place in the repertoire will be occupied by the national ballet "Kyz Zhibek," staged by the theater's principal choreographer, Mukaram Avakhri. The production will exemplify a respectful attitude toward cultural heritage, combining traditional imagery with contemporary theatrical thinking and revealing Kazakh classics in a contemporary artistic form.
A signature event of the season will be the grand premiere of the ballet "La Bayadère," a recognized masterpiece of world classics. This production confirms the Astana Ballet Theater's commitment to preserving academic traditions and its readiness to present the best examples of the world ballet repertoire to Kazakhstani audiences at a high professional level.
The 2026 repertoire will combine classical ballets of international classics, contemporary choreographic projects, national programs, and concert formats. Performances and concerts featuring the theater's symphony orchestra will play a significant role, as will projects involving the choir, soloists, and guest conductors. The theater will continue to develop its concert activities, deepening its musical direction and revealing the orchestra as an independent artistic canvas.
This year, the Astana Ballet Theater plans extensive touring activities: performances in Kazakhstan's regions and participation in international cultural exchanges. Particular attention will be paid to educational and social projects, including developing cooperation with the Academy, supporting young choreographers and artists, and implementing international creative initiatives.
Tair Karatayev, Director of the Astana Ballet Theater, noted, "We are consistently working to ensure the theater remains a modern, open, and dynamically developing venue. The new season is not only about premieres and tours, but also about strengthening the professional environment, expanding the audience, and maintaining a responsible approach to the theater's cultural mission." The theater's artistic director, Nurlan Kanetov, emphasized the artistic concept for the upcoming year: "It's important to us that the repertoire reflects a vibrant dialogue between the classic and the contemporary, national tradition and the universal language of choreography. We are preparing true ballet masterpieces for you: the ballet "La Bayadère," the national ballet "Kyz Zhibek," and the contemporary production "Bolero X," where classics meet new choreographic forms. The season promises to be vibrant and rich."