On October 24–25, the Shymkent Creative Fair was held at the Qazaq Creative Hub in Astana as part of the Creative Aimaq project. Over the two-day event, 3,500 Astana residents and visitors attended, and total sales from participants amounted to 5 million tenge.
Organized by the Creative Industries Development Fund and timed to coincide with Republic Day, the fair introduced the capital's public to the cultural heritage, contemporary design, and technological developments of the southern metropolis.
The program featured artisans, designers, creative groups, representatives of the animation industry, and innovative project developers.
Culture and Art of Shymkent
The grand opening of the fair featured a performance by the Karatau musical ensemble, presenting national melodies and song traditions of the southern region.
One of the highlights of the cultural program was the literary and musical performance "O, Kala!" The Shymkent City Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Zhumat Shanin. A production dedicated to the works of Shamshi Kaldayakov and Yerzhan Serikbayev introduced the audience to Shymkent's musical heritage and cultural life.
The SAK Film Studio presented Kazakhstani animation projects. Visitors were introduced to the animated series "Aibyndy Aula," "Toqty Men Serke," and the cartoon "Akhmet."
National Crafts and Handicrafts
The fair featured national clothing, jewelry, carpets, ceramics, as well as felt, leather, and wood products.
Visitors had the opportunity to interact with the artisans, learn about the production processes, and purchase their favorite items directly from the manufacturers. The event included master classes on creating national jewelry, working with felt, and making traditional patchwork quilts (kuraq körpe).
Participants learned about craft techniques and had the opportunity to try out individual stages of production under the guidance of master craftsmen.
For Shymkent entrepreneurs, the fair became a direct sales platform, allowing them to present their products to the capital's audience and study consumer demand.
Technological Developments in Shymkent
Along with traditional crafts, visitors were introduced to three innovative projects: Alaqan, Qalam AI, and QazTracker.
Alaqan is a biometric payment system that allows payments to be made by recognizing the unique vein pattern of the palm.
Qalam AI is a technological solution using artificial intelligence for handwriting recognition and its digitalization.
QazTracker is a digital solution for the identification and monitoring of farm animals.
The projects showcased the achievements of Shymkent developers in the fields of financial technology, artificial intelligence, and digitalization of agriculture.
3,500 Visitors and 5 Million Tenge in Sales
Over the two days, the Shymkent Creative Fair attracted 3,500 visitors, and total sales of exhibitors' products reached 5 million tenge.
Residents and visitors to the capital purchased items from local artisans, learned about regional brands, and appreciated the variety of goods presented by entrepreneurs from the southern metropolis.
For designers and artisans, participation in the fair provided an opportunity to establish direct contacts with customers, present new collections, and expand their circle of potential clients.
The results of the event confirmed the interest of the capital's audience in the original products of regional producers and the practical importance of such marketplaces.
Creative Aimaq – Support for Regional Creators
Creative Aimaq is a project of the Creative Industries Development Fund aimed at supporting creative entrepreneurship, promoting domestic brands, and expanding markets for products from regional producers. As part of this initiative, artisans, designers, and creative business representatives from various regions of Kazakhstan have the opportunity to present their designs, works of art, and original products to residents and visitors of Astana.
The Shymkent fair brought together traditional crafts, theater, music, animation, contemporary fashion, and innovative technologies, showcasing the diversity of creative trends in the southern region.
The Creative Industries Development Fund will continue to implement the Creative Aimaq project, promoting Kazakhstani brands, expanding trade opportunities for regional entrepreneurs, and developing the country's creative economy.