Kazakhstan's Asian Games 2011 - sport, culture, hospitality!
All people are amazed with the fact that countries without snow cover will take part not in summer, but winter sports. Kazakh Vice Minister of Tourism and Sport Talgat Yermegiyayev told about the 'cultural' part of the competitions, the so-called Cultural Olympiad, in an interview with Kazinform.
Mr. Yermegiyayev, how will the VII Asian Winter Games influence the development of tourism in Kazakhstan?
Taking into account that Kazakhstan was chosen to host the 2011 Asian Winter Games yet in 2006, we can imagine what will be the volume of tourist flow to our country. Today Kazakhstan expects not less than 5,000 participants and guests, among who are athletes, coaches, official guests and journalists. Holding the Asian Games is an image project for Kazakhstan. This is a unique chance to present Kazakhstan to the international community at the high level, in new light, attract maximum number of tourists and promote culture, traditions, customs and history of the Kazakh people. The Head of the State rightly noted that "holding the Asian Games will work for Kazakhstan's image formation on the continent, allow to bring infrastructure of winter sports to higher level and have positive impact on increasing the tourist flow to our country".
It was decided to hold the Asian Games in the cities of Almaty and Astana, where competitions in 11 sports will be carried out during 7 days. It should be noted that there was signed a memorandum with the Kazakhstan Tourist Association. We are facing the task to attract maximum number of tourists of those countries the athletes of which will take part in the Games. Soon there will be launched an auto caravan from Guangzhou, the capital of the Summer Asian Games, to Astana, the capital of the VII Asian Winter Games. The auto caravan will travel across seven states of Central Asia, promoting the idea of the Asian Games and Olympic movement.
Despite the crisis, over the last years our country was visited by about 4.5 mln tourists. Within the framework of holding the Asian Winter Games over 10,000 guests are expected to arrive.
The Asian Games is no only a sports event, but also a political and cultural one. How many hotels and transport units will be involved in the Winter Games?
Regarding the service we are working on 22 directions. Under the rules of the Asian Games, 20 days prior to the competitions it is needed to provide all facilities, especially for athletes who will arrive in advance to adapt to the conditions and time changes. According to the system of accommodation of athletes and guests of the VII Asian Winter Games all arriving participants and guests are divided into four categories: the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Family, VIP guests and officials - 274 people; athletes, coaches, team doctors and other staff members - 1 542; judges - 525; media representatives - 1 300.
The level of hotels will meet all international standards.
Culture and sport are inextricably linked with each other. Will there be the "Cultural Asian Games", though in the history of the Asian Games this was not planned?
Our Asian Games will be not only innovative regarding their holding in the two cities, but also unprecedented in the sports part of the program. Kazakhstan suggested including in the program two new types of sport - winter orienteering and ball hockey.
Besides, for the first time in its history the Olympic Council of Asia approved two other large-scale projects planned to be held in parallel with the Asian Games' program. They are the Asian Olympics Torch Relay and "Cultural Aziada".
The torch relay will start from Kuwait, the home of the Olympic Council of Asia's headquarters. On January 11, 2011 the Olympic flame will be delivered immediately on charter to Kazakhstan. For 20 days the torch will travel to all regions of Kazakhstan. In each region it will stay for 1-2 days. The relay will finish in Astana on January 30.
It is also planned to hold "Cultural Aziada", which is aimed at demonstrating rich historical and cultural heritage of Asia and culture of Kazakhstan.
Almaty has always welcomed its guests not only by the sights but also the beauty of picturesque mountains. Owing to "Cultural Aziada" the atmosphere of the sports festival will extend not only to the stadiums and mountain sites, but also to the entire city. What festivals are planned?
Certainly, the atmosphere of celebration of sports winter holiday in Astana and Almaty will cover not only the sports field, but also places of leisure and cultural centers. "Cultural Aziada" in Almaty includes projects:" Snow Leopard Park", "Great Silk Road" festival-fair, cultural festival of Asia, "Almaty - the cultural capital of Kazakhstan".
Will there be festivals in Astana beside the spectacular show on the opening ceremony of the Games?
Of course, festivals will be held in Astana. The unique ensemble of capital architecture allows us to show guests the most majestic buildings in the former Soviet space in the heart of the young republic. The main propose of the Cultural Asian Games is to introduce the cities-organizers through culture and art. This unprecedented event will help hold cultural dialogue between Kazakhstan and the world community. The festival program in Astana will include several projects. They are the festival of ice sculptures, music and dance festival «Voice of Astana», Festival of Circus Arts, fine arts exhibition, photo exhibition, festival of traditions and customs of the Kazakh people "Kazak Aul", trade fair of sporting goods and souvenirs, a drawing and an essay contest.