Event Set in Mangystau Region: Commemorating Camel's Milk and Traditional Kazakh Customs in a Grand Festival
Ak Maya Fest: A Cultural and Tourism Milestone for Mangystau
The Ak Maya Fest, a new cultural celebration, is set to take place for the first time on August 16, 2025, at the picturesque Mount Airakty in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan. This event, a fusion of music, traditions, agriculture, and especially shubat (camel's milk), promises to be a significant cultural and tourism milestone for the region [1][2][3].
The festival's schedule includes three main segments:
- A symphonic performance that will blend music with the natural sounds of wind and the steppe, creating an unforgettable outdoor experience.
- An evening music stage featuring renowned Kazakh artists such as Raim, Yerke Yesmakhan, and Ulytau, followed by a spectacular light show.
- A late-night program filled with techno music, laser effects, and drone displays [1][2].
Besides music, the event offers tasting zones and art yurts where visitors can sample and learn about traditional Kazakh foods like shubat, kurt (dried salted cheese), kozhe (a seven-ingredient dish served during Nauryz), suzbe (cottage cheese), and balkaimak (sour cream). For the first time in Kazakhstan, cocktails made with shubat—such as Shubat Mojito and White Steppe—will be available [1][2].
Organizers expect at least 10,000 visitors, many discovering Mangystau for the first time. The festival is already boosting hotel bookings, attracting tour operators, and supporting local small businesses. It aims to promote the Mangystau regional brand, support local farmers, develop event tourism, and enhance the region’s reputation and image [1][2].
The Ak Maya Fest's model resembles other successful international camel milk festivals like Mongolia’s Thousand Camel Festival and the UAE’s Al Dhafra Festival, which have bolstered cultural preservation and stimulated growth in trade, agriculture, and tourism [1][2]. These festivals not only preserve cultural heritage but also drive growth in the regions they are held, with some offering prize funds reaching tens of millions of dirhams [4].
In summary, the Ak Maya Fest is more than just a festival; it's a long-term initiative designed to stimulate the local economy while preserving and celebrating Kazakh culture. It's a must-visit event for anyone interested in experiencing the unique blend of tradition and contemporary entertainment [1][2][3][4].
[1] Ak Maya Fest Official Website [2] Mangystau Region Tourism Board [3] Kazakhstan Ministry of Culture and Sports [4] International Camel Milk Festivals Association
- The Ak Maya Fest, a fusion of music, traditions, agriculture, and food-and-drink, is expected to attract tourists interested in exploring the lifestyle and cultural travel opportunities in Mangystau, Kazakhstan.
- During the Ak Maya Fest, visitors can enjoy tasting traditional Kazakh foods like shubat, kurt, kozhe, suzbe, and balkaimak, as well as innovative shubat-based cocktails such as Shubat Mojito and White Steppe, reflecting the unique food-and-drink culture of the region.
