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Happy Lunar New Year of the Horse🧧🐎🧧

Happy New Year of the Horse!

This New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries and falls on February 17th.

A work by a Kazakh artist from the series «Four Nurses» - төрт түлік мал.

In Kazakh mythology and culture, based on a nomadic lifestyle, animals associated with the four types of livestock (tört tülіk mal - төрт түлік мал), as well as wild animals revered as totems, have a special sacred significance.

The four main sacred animals (wet nurses) and their patrons:

Horse (Zhylqy / Κambar ata - Жылқы / Қамбар ата) is the most revered animal, a symbol of freedom, speed, and loyalty. The horse is the companion of the batyr in epic poems.

Camel (Tüye / Oysylqara - Түйе / Ойсылқара) is a symbol of endurance, wealth, and well-being.

The ram/sheep (Koy / Shopam ata - Қой / Шопан ата) is a symbol of fertility, a sacrificial animal that occupies an important place in rituals.

The cow ( Siyir / Zyongi Bara - Сиыр / Зөңгі бара ) was revered as a nurse, associated with earthly well-being.

ASTANA ART FAIR 2025: Future Roots / “Bolashaqtyń tamyrlary”

From October 24 to 26, 2025, the international contemporary art fair Astana Art Fair will take place in Astana at the Congress Center, with the support of the Akimat of the city of Astana.
Astana Art Fair positions itself as a long-term cultural initiative aimed at developing the creative economy and art market, as well as engaging young people in the global exchange of ideas and artistic practices.
In 2025, the fair will be held under the theme “Bolashaqtyń tamyrlary” / Future Roots / “The Roots of the Future.”
The theme refers to the idea of origins — the roots from which new cultural impulses emerge and future directions are formed. Astana is envisioned as a new cultural hub where local and global initiatives meet, giving rise to new meanings and artistic contexts.
“We hope that Astana Art Fair will become a platform where collectors, galleries, emerging and established artists can meet and share their perspectives, present their works on the international stage, and build professional connections. For the wider public, the event will become a new point of attraction — a place to explore the world of contemporary art, discover new names, and acquire artworks they love,”
The organizers:
The Urpaq private foundation created to systematically support cultural and educational initiatives, and the main organizer of the project.

Contemporary Istanbul, leading international art fair in Turkiye, will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Visit Istanbul from 24–28 September 2025 at Tersane Istanbul.

Akbank is the main Partner.

Congratulations to the Contemporary Istanbul Foundation Team, Patrons, Sponsors, Gallerists, and Artists!

Good luck!