On July 6, 1994, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan decided to move the capital from Almaty to Akmola.

October 20, 1997, Akmola was declared the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A year later it was renamed to Astana, from this time the provincial town began to turn into a full-fledged metropolitan city.

In 2000, the construction of the new administrative center of Astana began.

The residence of President, Akorda is located on the square. Nearby are high-rise buildings of the Majilis and the Senate, the Government, the Presidential Administration and the House of Ministries.

In 2005, almost all the state apparatus was transferred to the new administrative center of Astana.

Svetlana Matviyets expressed her admiration for the new center of Astana

"How beautiful is the alley from the presidential residence to "Khan Shatyr". We walked there for a few days."

On May 9, 2001, the presentation of the monument "Otan Qorgaushylar" was held. Since then, every year events are held here on the Victory Day.

The monument is a stele in height of 37.5 meters. The central figure of the monument is the image of Motherland, which calls for unity and harmony. The stela, as it were, consists of 101 ears, which symbolizes the unity of all nations living in Kazakhstan. On the bas-relief on the right Soviet soldiers are depicted, on the left side - Kazakh batyrs, who defeated the jungar. The Eternal Fire burns at the bottom.

In the same year on the square in front of the monument "Otan Qorgaushylar" a solemn divine service was held by Pope John Paul II who visited Astana with a special visit.

In 2002, the Astana-Baiterek monument was built in the center of Astana. A unique construction, which has no analogues in the world causes the world community associations not only with the capital but also with the whole country. "Baiterek" - "Tree of Life" - became the main symbol of the city.

The citizen of Astana, Olga Mikhailova, who moved to the capital in 2000, when the monument was built connects her fate with the history of Baiterek. Watching from the window of the office how "Baiterek" grows and becomes stronger, Olga Mikhailova did not notice how she herself became attached to the capital and became a part of it. Her children studied here, grandchildren were born. Here are her favorite work, colleagues, friends. She tremblingly recalls how Astana was changing and becoming more beautiful.

In 2003, administrative buildings of the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Transport and Communications were built.

This year, the opening of the Presidential Residence Akorda took place.

Construction of the Residence began in 2001. The work on the project was carried out by well-known architects of Europe and Kazakhstan, including famous European designers M. Gualatsi and A. Molteni. The development of interiors in the national style was conducted on the basis of consultations by Academician K. Montakhayev.

This year, the opening of the Presidential Residence Akorda took place.

Construction of the Residence began in 2001. The work on the project was carried out by well-known architects of Europe and Kazakhstan, including famous European designers M. Gualatsi and A. Molteni. The development of interiors in the national style was conducted on the basis of consultations by Academician K. Montakhayev.

On July 6, 2008, the Head of State opened the monument "Qazaq Eli". This is a unique architectural structure, which has no analogues in the whole world. The monument reflects the ancient history, culture and achievements of the Kazakh people. The height of the monument is 91 meters, which symbolizes the year of the proclamation of Independence of Kazakhstan.

On the eve of the 17th anniversary of the independence of our country - December 15, 2008 - "Tauelsizdik Sarayi" started its work. This is a beautiful monumental building, whose architectural feature is the bearing walls in the form of Kazakh kerege - the skeleton of the yurt.

Within the walls of the Palace the Astana summit of the OSCE, the meeting of the SEEC, the anniversary summit of the SCO, the OIC summit, the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction Summit, and the Asian Development Bank meeting.

On December 1-2, 2010, "Tauelsizdik Sarayi" became the venue for the historic OSCE Summit, which marked the completion of the successful chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Organization.

For the first time in 2014, Kazakhstan chaired the ADB. Over 3 days of the meeting of the Asian Development Bank, the Palace was visited by more than 28 thousand participants from all over the world.

The 38th UEFA Congress was held on March 27, 2014, also in the Palace of Independence. At the same time, Kazakhstan became the first state in the CIS to receive such a large international football forum.

Since 2008, the Astana Economic Forum (AEF) has been held annually on the platform of the Independence Palace, which is one of the largest international forums in the world

In 2010, near the monument "Qazaq Eli" and the Palace of Independence, the Palace of Creativity "Shabyt" was built, in which the Kazakh National University of Arts is located. The building has an unusual shape, but even more it impresses with its internal content.

The guest of the capital, pensioner Rafkhat Sultanov is proud of the fact that his son works in one of the most prestigious universities of Kazakhstan - the Kazakh National University of Arts.

"He`s a bayan player, he graduated from the Donetsk State Conservatory, but came here to work. Astana gave him many opportunities, he is now an assistant professor of one of the departments of the university. He brought up many laureates of various international competitions," R. Sultanov said.

On the another birthday of the capital, in 2010, the opening of the shopping and entertainment center Khan Shatyr was held.

In 2010 the Central Concert Hall "Kazakhstan" opened the doors for visitors. This is the first metropolitan complex, equipped with the most advanced technologies and intended for holding mass events.

In January-February 2011, the cities of Astana and Almaty became the center of sports life of the Asian continent. For the first time in Kazakhstan, the VII Winter Asian Games were held, attended by more than a thousand athletes from 27 countries.

On the instructions of the Head of State, unique sports complexes were built specially for the Asian Games in two key cities of the republic. So, in Astana, a new ice palace "Alau" was constructed, which, according to the Dutch edition of AD Sportwereld, took first place in the rating of skating stadiums of the planet.

The Republican cycling track "Sary-Arka", which has become the venue for the competitions in short track and figure skating, is also one of the best in the world, according to international experts.

The opening of the Asian Games took place in the new covered stadium "Astana Arena". This is one of six similar structures in the world, with a mobile roof system measuring 10 thousand square meters. The arena for 30 thousand seats is conceived as a large amphitheater with a two-level structure.

In December 2011, the opening of the Schoolchildren`s Palace took place, in which lessons are held for the additional education of children: intellectual, technical, artistic-aesthetic and physical education. A hundred circles and sections are organized there in which more than 10 thousand children are engaged.

On December 10, 2011, the President of Kazakhstan opened the media center "Kazamedia Ortalygy". The television and radio complex is a 22-storey building, adapted for the full operation of television and radio channels.

On December 16, 2011, the solemn opening ceremony of the Arc de Triomphe "Mangilik Yel" took place On July 6, 2012, the opening of the mosque "Hazret Sultan", which was added to the list of unique facilities of the capital. The mosque can accommodate 5 thousand believers, and on holidays - up to 10 thousand people.

. The height of the arch reaches 20 meters, which symbolizes the 20th anniversary of the country`s independence.

On July 6, 2012, the opening of the Khazret Sultan Mosque, which was added to the list of unique facilities of the capital was held. The mosque can accommodate 5 thousand believers, and on holidays - up to 10 thousand people.

On June 21, 2013 the State Opera and Ballet Theater "Astana Opera" solemnly opened its first theatrical season. Located on the left bank, the theater "Astana Opera" strikes with its magnificence, scale and architectural elegance.

On July 2, 2014, the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan was opened - the largest and youngest museum in Central Asia is among the ten largest museums in the world.

The museum is located on Independence Square, in a single architectural ensemble with the "Qazaq Eli" monument, the Palace of Independence, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the Khazret Sultan Mosque and the Kazakh National University of Arts.

The year 2015 was marked by the first graduation at the Nazarbayev University. Nazarbayev University is a university with a powerful modern scientific infrastructure aimed at conducting innovative research activities. The creation of such an educational institution allowed the Kazakhstani youth to get education according to international standards, without going abroad.

At the end of 2016, a grandiose event took place in the sphere of Kazakhstan`s classical art, construction of the building for the ballet troupe of Astana. "Astana Ballet" is located near the EXPO town and is adjacent to the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography.

In spring of 2017, the MEGA Silk Way trade and entertainment center was opened, which, with its scale, unique architecture, design and conceptual content, sets the tone for rest in the capital.

On May 31, 2017, a new terminal of the International Airport was presented in Astana. The total area of the new terminal is 47 thousand square meters. The new terminal is equipped with the latest technologies, which will improve service and aviation security. Its carrying capacity is 7.6 million passengers per year.

On June 1, 2017, the new railway station "Nurly Zhol" received the first passengers. The station is equipped with ultramodern intelligent control systems for passenger traffic, security and e-ticket sales.

In future, Nurly Zhol will become the new transport and logistics hub of the capital.

A resident of the city of Ushtobe, Almaty region, Kuliya Suleimenova is especially impressed by the new railway complex "Nurly Zhol". She says that when she got off the train, she was in shock for a while.

"Several years ago I came to Astana. There was no new station. What a beautiful, modern station! It feels like you are abroad. Pride for the country appeared in my soul," K. Suleimenova says.

On June 3, 2017, Astana hosted the long-awaited opening ceremony of the first hotel in the capital with world`s name, The Ritz-Carlton. The appearance of the world famous brand in Astana undoubtedly means a new level of service and hospitality of the rapidly developing capital.

In 2012, Astana won the Belgian city of Liège the right to host the exhibition EXPO-2017. Out of 148 countries, 103 participating countries of the International Bureau of Exhibitions voted their votes to the Kazakh capital against the 44th that Liege won.

On June 9, 2017, the opening ceremony of the grand event of the year, EXPO-2017, took place, 17 foreign heads of states and governments took part in it.

4.5 thousand people from different cities of Kazakhstan became volunteers of EXPO-2017. In addition, 150 volunteers arrived in Astana from 46 countries. One of them is a resident of Thailand Lala, who has been working in the pavilion of her country for a month already. The girl is for the first time in Kazakhstan and says that she really likes Astana, the Borovoe resort and, most importantly, hospitable people of Kazakhstan.

"People here are very kind. Everyone takes me for a Kazakh. I would really like to stay here," Lala admits.

The theme of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO-2017 is "Future Energy", that best describes the spirit and desire of Kazakhstan to move forward, develop and conquer new peaks. It is no coincidence that Astana was the venue for the exhibition in the year of its 19th anniversary.

Happy birthday, Astana!

What do guests think about the capital of Kazakhstan? Everyone has his own story, but all have one thing in common: pride for Astana, which inspires new achievements!