KZBlog

I often claim that Kazakhstan is not quirky enough. The government propaganda to sell the country’s image focus on economic statistics and populations of wolves, and not the interesting and eclectic factoids that would attract tourists and grab the interest of Americans. Holidays are celebrated in very official style with a big concert, the akim or the President giving a speech, and people waving flags. None of the spontaneous celebrations you might see in the West.

And then sometimes I am proven very very wrong. Kostanai has unveiled the first statue of Charlie Chaplin in Kazakhstan. Before you scratch your head too much wondering why people in Kostanai are crazy over Chaplin, I should note that it was a present from the Kazakhstan-France Center. No, that doesn’t make much sense either. From the story on Kostanai.net, I gather that the Kazakhstan France Center is trying to spread sculptures of great people around the world [RU]. And why not Kazakhstan?

Neweurasia.net notes that the only movie theater in Kostanai was recently demolished. But the benches there are great for little hobos.