The Big Day

It was wonderful!!!!!

September 1

New Presidential Park to Be Opened on Astana Left Bank, September 1

Source: Trend

Author: K. Konyrova

14.08.2006

A new presidential park to be opened on the left bank of the Kazakhstan Capital of Astana till September 1, Umirzak Shukeev, the Akim (Mayor) of the Capital told journalists during the regular production conference in the Akimat (City Administration). The new park will be located before the New Peace and Concord Palace which construction also to be completed in the beginning of September 2006. It should be noted that Astana is the host of the Second Congress of Leaders of World Religions, and the holding of this congress to be held in this new construction. The new park that lies to the Palace, according to the creators, will consist of several zones where 5 fountains of the total area of 7,000 sq. meters will be placed. The central part of the park stipulates parade and ceremonial approaches of the vast masses, organization of parking, entrances for authorized persons only, etc. Some 32, 000 trees and 56, 000 bushes, and the lawn of the total area of 586, 000 sq. meters to be planted as a planting of greenery of the park.

September 22

Religious leaders to meet in Astana to discuss religious freedom

Astana, April 25, Interfax - Two issues will be entered onto the agenda of the 2nd Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to be held in Astana in September: freedom of religion and the role of religious leaders in strengthening international security.

"Following discussions, two issues were selected: first, freedom of religion and recognition of other religions, and second, the role of religious leaders in strengthening international security," Organizing Committee head Nurtai Abykayev told the fourth meeting of the Congress's Secretariat in Astana on Tuesday.

"If approved by the Secretariat these issues will be central on the agenda," said Abykayev, who is also speaker of the Senate, the upper house of the Kazakh parliament.

The current meeting of the Secretariat, to last for two days, is expected to confirm the draft declaration of the congress.

The Secretariat will gather for its last meeting a couple of days before the beginning of the congress to confirm the document to be adopted, as well as the procedure and the agenda," said Abykayev.

The 1st congress of world and traditional religions was held in Astana in September 2003.