Since 1991 the country, under their first President, Nursultan Nazarbayez either directly or indirectly has been instrumental in making Kazakhstan the nation it is today:

• First former Soviet state to become nuclear free
• Country elected to the UN Human’s Rights Council
• Election of hosting the 2017 World Expo
• Country became chair of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe
• Country chaired the Organisation for the Islamic Community
• Part of the World Trade Organisation
• First Asian country to earn a credit rating by Standard and Poor’s
• Pay back all IMF loans in 7 years
• Nurture an Olympic Team that would win 7 gold medals at London 2012 Olympics

Kazakhstan has every right to be proud of it’s achievements both as a nation and as a part of the global economy and to acknowledge some very important cultural, religious and political landmarks with national holidays:

• New Year, January
• Orthodox Christmas Day, January
• International Women’s Day – March
• Nauryz, March – also known as Iranian New year this festival marks the vernal equinox and the start of spring. It has been celebrated for over 3000 years in Central Asia and following independence became an important part of the annual calendar. The festival of Nauryz has, since 2009, been on the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Heritage and Humanity events.
• Unity Day , May – with over 131 ethnicities represented in this diverse nation a day to celebrate those who make up the nation of Kazakhstan is a colourful and exiting time
• Defender of the Fatherland, May – A time to pay tribute to those who dedicate and have dedicated their lives to protect their native lands
• Victory Day, May – This day marks the unconditional surrender of Germany in Moscow at the end of WW2 and to remember those who fell in this conflict
• Day of the Capital, July – A day celebration of Astana, the capital since 1997
• Constitution Day, August – Marking the day that the independent peoples of Kazakhstan approved the new draft consitution in 1995
• Kurban Bairam – Islamic festival also known as Eid al-Adha
• President’s Day , December – celebrating the election of the first president in 1991 and acknowledging his achievements
• Independence Day, December – Marking independence from the Soviet Union in 1991