WELCOME TO KAZAKHSTAN

On October 17th and 18th, the Astana Ballet Theatre will premiere the two-act production "Two Carpets," a large-scale choreographic work inspired by the ancient Azerbaijani legend of the Shirvan carpet.The ballet premiere was presented with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, making an important contribution to the development of cultural dialogue and the promotion of contemporary choreographic art in the country.The ballet transports the audience to a world where pattern becomes the language of feelings, and each thread is the guardian of human destinies.This is a story of love born in childhood and enduring the trials of war, separation, and time. Through pain and hope, the characters find each other again, and the carpet that accompanies them on their journey becomes a symbol of fidelity and spiritual strength."The special depth of the performance lies in its reflection of the woman's inner world, her choice between love and sacrifice," note the creators of the production. "This is a story about perseverance, about the heart's ability to remain faithful despite the trials of fate."Valery Kopeikin, the librettist and the project's mastermind, notes that the production's main goal is to bring people back to see the ballet."Classical ballet will always find its audience, but our goal was to create something different—a contemporary work at the intersection of classical and neoclassical styles. We sought not just to show a dance, but to tell a story, so that the audience would understand from the very first minute where they had come and what lies behind what is happening on stage," said Kopeikin.Valery Kopeikin also noted that while working on the production, they often had to revise the script and repeatedly agree on details, but ultimately, the team managed to find the right creative solution.The ballet's director and choreographer, Alexander Mogilev, who managed to embody the epic narrative in a refined choreographic language, noted that working on the production was memorable for its creative atmosphere and the wonderful team. "As an artist, the process of creation itself is close to my heart. For the audience, the performance lasts two hours, but for us, it's much more—a deep immersion into Eastern culture. I was truly inspired by the people and culture of Kazakhstan—their openness, their ability to look into people's eyes without fear. In every project, I try to discover something new, and 'Two Carpets' is special in this sense—it wonderfully combines modernity and tradition," Mogilev shared.The music was written specifically for the performance by composer Arseniy Smirnov, who combined Eastern melodies with symphonic scope.The set design was created by Anastasia Kapustina, and the costumes were the work of renowned designer Igor Chapurin. Alexandra Artamonova developed the digital graphics and animation, adding visual depth and contemporary dynamics to the stage action. The music will be performed live by the Astana Ballet Theatre Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Principal Conductor Arman Urazgaliyev. The fusion of orchestral power and expressive choreography transforms the production into a true synthesis of the arts—from classical drama to digital theater.The theater's Artistic Director, Nurlan Kanetov, emphasizes that "Two Carpets" is the result of the combined creative efforts of the international company MOSAIC DEL ARTE and the Astana Ballet Theatre."The value of this project lies in the synergy of two strong ensembles. We continue our fruitful collaboration: last year, audiences enthusiastically received the rock ballet "Blind Forgiveness," which was performed in Athens, Astana, and Almaty. Today's premiere is a new step in our shared journey, a symbol of creative unity and mutual inspiration," Kanetov noted.It's worth noting that the ballet "Two Carpets" is not simply a stage story, but a philosophical reflection on human resilience and the power of memory.It unites East and West, ancient traditions and the contemporary language of art, transforming a legend into an emotional metaphor for eternal love, capable of overcoming all.