Kazakhstan is sketching out a bright future for its comics industry
In this episode of Modern Nomads, we meet some breakout talents, comic bookstore owners, and local authorities supporting this growing industry.
The main event for fans is Comic Con Astana, a five-day festival that's growing every year—this year it welcomed a record 75,000 visitors, including 10,000 from abroad.
With Hollywood stars, influencers, and a cosplay contest with a prize fund nearing €25,000, the festival is putting Kazakhstan's comic scene on the map.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Fashion Network
Milan women's fashion week reveals a packed lineup for September
KNWLS will make its Milan debut on Wednesday, September 24. Known for its sexy, Y2K-inspired silhouettes and focus on feminine empowerment, the London-based brand has built strong momentum in recent years. English designer Charlotte Knowles and her Canadian partner Alexandre Arsenault founded the label in 2017. A finalist for the 2022 LVMH Prize, KNWLS now appears in more than 50 top multi-brand retailers worldwide. Several designers will return to the Milan schedule this season after recent absences, including Boss, Calcaterra, Federico Cina, The Attico, and Stella Jean. Anglo-Nigerian designer Ineye Tokyo James, who first showed in Milan in February 2022 and returned in digital format last March, will also be back. Vietnamese designer Phan Dang Hoang, who debuted in September 2024, will return to the calendar as well. Indian designer Dhruv Kapoor and French designer Pierre-Louis Mascia, both previously shown on the menswear schedule, will shift to the women's week. The Milano Moda Graduate show will return on Sunday, September 28, for its 11th edition, spotlighting emerging talent from Italian fashion schools. A day earlier, on Saturday, September 27, the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards will honor leadership in eco-conscious fashion. Launched in 2017 by the Italian Fashion Chamber, the awards have become a benchmark in sustainable innovation. This summer edition will also see several brands step away from the schedule. In addition to Versace, both Marni and Bally will remain absent as they undergo creative transitions. Fiorucci will now appear on the Men's Fashion Week calendar, having shifted its showing to June. Other brands missing from the provisional lineup include Avavav, which had shown in Milan since September 2023; Susan Fang, who presented last March with support from Dolce & Gabbana; and Philipp Plein, K-Way, and DSquared2. Despite these absences, Milan Fashion Week will continue to showcase the strength of Made in Italy. Powerhouse labels such as Prada, Moschino, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, and Max Mara will lead a calendar that remains among the most influential in global fashion.
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Fashion Network
Milan women's fashion week reveals a packed lineup for September
KNWLS will make its Milan debut on Wednesday, September 24. Known for its sexy, Y2K-inspired silhouettes and focus on feminine empowerment, the London-based brand has built strong momentum in recent years. English designer Charlotte Knowles and her Canadian partner Alexandre Arsenault founded the label in 2017. A finalist for the 2022 LVMH Prize, KNWLS now appears in more than 50 top multi-brand retailers worldwide. Several designers will return to the Milan schedule this season after recent absences, including Boss, Calcaterra, Federico Cina, The Attico, and Stella Jean. Anglo-Nigerian designer Ineye Tokyo James, who first showed in Milan in February 2022 and returned in digital format last March, will also be back. Vietnamese designer Phan Dang Hoang, who debuted in September 2024, will return to the calendar as well. Indian designer Dhruv Kapoor and French designer Pierre-Louis Mascia, both previously shown on the menswear schedule, will shift to the women's week. The Milano Moda Graduate show will return on Sunday, September 28, for its 11th edition, spotlighting emerging talent from Italian fashion schools. A day earlier, on Saturday, September 27, the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards will honor leadership in eco-conscious fashion. Launched in 2017 by the Italian Fashion Chamber, the awards have become a benchmark in sustainable innovation. This summer edition will also see several brands step away from the schedule. In addition to Versace, both Marni and Bally will remain absent as they undergo creative transitions. Fiorucci will now appear on the Men's Fashion Week calendar, having shifted its showing to June. Other brands missing from the provisional lineup include Avavav, which had shown in Milan since September 2023; Susan Fang, who presented last March with support from Dolce & Gabbana; and Philipp Plein, K-Way, and DSquared2. Despite these absences, Milan Fashion Week will continue to showcase the strength of Made in Italy. Powerhouse labels such as Prada, Moschino, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, and Max Mara will lead a calendar that remains among the most influential in global fashion.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Euronews
How Kazakh artist M'Dee is helping shape Central Asia's musical future
In this episode of Voices from Central Asia, we meet Madi Toktarov, the Kazakh singer and music producer known as M'Dee. M'Dee gained wider recognition through his trilogy of albums, most notably Almaty Jazz. In his latest release, he revived songs by late Kazakh musical legend Batyrkhan Shukenov, working with original recordings to preserve their spirit. His concerts now draw thousands, and his influence is growing far beyond the stage. One of M'Dee's most impactful contributions is the founding of Zakrytyi Club, a music label supporting emerging artists across Central Asia. This platform allows him to lift up a new generation of Kazakh musicians – including rising talents like Ayau, Rusha and Abdur. Through his music and initiatives, M'Dee is shaping a new wave of Central Asia's musical identity – authentic, modern and grounded in cultural depth.
