Global Voices Online

Alexander Visotzky writes about the opening of a monument in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan, where the authorities uncovered a 15-foot high bronze statue of incumbent president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

KZBlog tells about the new album of the Kazakh band Ulytau and says that their style can be described as classical/rock/prog-rock/electronic pop fusion music, influenced by Yes, Metallica, and Bach, coupled by the Kazakh influence.

Michael Forster Rothbart offers a photo-essay about the Semipalatinsk Polygon in Kazakhstan, where the Soviet Union was testing its nuclear bombs.

KZBlog reports that a boxer from Kazakhstan, widely viewed as a future world champion, will meet again with his opponent after appealing against the last year's match result.

Mursya posts photos of Astana, the new Kazakh capital being built in the steppes under a close eye of authoritarian president Nazarbayev.

Amanda Lahan of Crisis Crunch accounts for Russia resuming negotiations on membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which may still be hampered by plans for a customs' union with Kazakhstan and Belarus, set to coincide with WTO-accession also of these countries.

Vicky reports that that the government of Kazkahstan is now thawing and reversing its position on Borat, a comic character, as tourism rose by 13% last year.

Jenia Saikina interviews Nicolas Journoud, the French artist living in Kazakhstan, who prepares to release a comic book about this Central Asian country.

Slavasay writes that Yevgenii Zhovtis, the famous Kazakhstani human rights activist, who is currently waiting to serve a four year prison sentence for a traffic violation that caused a man’s death, is undeterred, and will continue to defend himself and others.