Astana Ballet is taking Kazakh choreography to the global stage.
The theatre will open its 14th season on August 28–29 with performances by the Korean National Ballet before launching tours to Vietnam, France and Austria, DKNews.kz reports.
The international program will combine classical ballet, contemporary productions and choreography inspired by Kazakhstan’s cultural traditions.
Korean National Ballet to open the season
The new season will begin with a major international project featuring the Korean National Ballet.
On August 28 and 29, audiences in Astana will see “Le Corsaire,” set to music by Adolphe Adam and choreographed by Song Jungbin.
The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan and the Korean National Center.
“Le Corsaire” tells the famous story of the noble corsair Conrad and Medora, combining romance, adventure, dramatic twists and a struggle for love.
The production features:
- Virtuoso classical choreography
- Fast-paced stage sequences
- Expressive duets
- Large ensemble scenes
- A combination of music, visual art and set design
The Korean National Ballet’s interpretation brings classical ballet traditions together with contemporary approaches to staging.
Astana Ballet heads to Vietnam and France
The international program will continue immediately after the opening performances.
Astana Ballet will travel abroad to present Kazakh choreographic art to international audiences, with performances scheduled in Vietnam and France.
The troupe will present its national program — a collection of choreographic miniatures inspired by Kazakhstan’s culture and traditions.
The performances are designed to introduce international audiences to the distinctive movement vocabulary of the Kazakh dance school, the country’s cultural heritage and the contemporary development of its choreography.
Vienna to see two contemporary Astana Ballet productions
Austria will become another important destination in the theatre’s international program.
Astana Ballet plans to perform two productions from its contemporary repertoire in Vienna:
- “Blind Forgiveness”
- “Two Carpets”
The Vienna performances will broaden the international presentation of the company beyond its national program, showing another side of Astana Ballet’s repertoire and artistic direction.
New premieres planned for the 14th season
International tours will be only one part of the upcoming season.
Astana Ballet Artistic Director Nurlan Kanetov said audiences can expect premieres, concerts and new creative projects.
«The new season will see a number of interesting events and large-scale premieres. The audience can anticipate a diverse range of performances, including a ballet comprising two acts, symphonic music concerts and novel creative projects. I am sure that everyone will find something special for themselves in the new season, which will provide our audience with many unforgettable experiences.»
The program indicates that the theatre intends to combine international activity with the development of its repertoire at home.
Why the international season matters
The 14th season gives Astana Ballet two roles at once: hosting a major foreign company in Kazakhstan and presenting Kazakh choreography abroad.
Opening with the Korean National Ballet strengthens cultural exchange between Kazakhstan and South Korea, while performances in Vietnam, France and Austria give the theatre access to audiences in both Asia and Europe.
The national program is particularly significant in this context. Rather than presenting only internationally recognizable classical works, Astana Ballet will use its tours to showcase choreography rooted in Kazakhstan’s cultural identity.
The combination of national works, contemporary ballets and international collaborations could further strengthen the visibility of Kazakhstan’s choreographic school on the global cultural stage.
