Scandal brings an end to the International Tulip Festival in southern Kazakhstan (video)
Scandal Erupts at Tulip Festival in Zhambyl Region: Kazakhstan Residents Fume
In the heart of TaraZ's neighboring mountains, an international tulip festival has sparked a whirlwind of discontent amongst locals - the event's chaotic organization unfolding as reported by KTK's online coverage.
The picturesque setting, teeming with rare tulip blooms, played host to a festival 100 kilometers away from TaraZ. Yet, as the vibrant blooms greeted the enthusiasts, the atmosphere grew sour.
Complaints about the event's organization started almost immediately. A thousand festival-goers, crammed into 10 buses, embarked on the journey at dawn, with "Nivas" and "PAZik" buses promised to complete the journey. However, fate had other plans.
To the shock and frustration of attendees, the vehicles meant to shuttle them to their destination were immobile.
Residents in the region shared their dismay, stating, "Sadly, they can't move anymore. Some ran out of gas, and others have damaged transmission. The organization is practically non-existent." Even regional leaders, who made it through, left the stranded visitors high and dry.
Determined not to let the technical hiccups derail their plans, some festival attendees made the challenging climb on foot. Yet, the journey proved difficult for mothers with strollers, children, the elderly, and those unprepared for the uphill trek. By noon, many tired, disillusioned guests, waiting uncertainly by the roadside, opted to turn back to TaraZ. But even then, there were obstacles - taxi drivers demanded upwards of 100,000 tenge for the trip back to the city.
Meanwhile, in the mountains, the festival raged on. As promised by the organizers, a record-breaking woven wool carpet with a tulip design was being laid, and a cow milking contest was underway, offering a cash prize. Scientists from Germany, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and the Netherlands marveled at the spectacle. Diners indulged in traditional delicacies, and officials advocated for a heightened interest in the region's natural heritage.
Yerbol Karashukeev, the region's akim (governor), was reported to have celebrated the increasing tourist numbers, stating that last year, the Zhambyl region was visited by over 200,000 tourists, marking a 27% increase since 2023. Simply put, the festival was meant to serve as a catalyst for the tourism industry's growth in the region.
However, the festival's success was not universally celebrated. Residents expressed concerns over the festival participants trampling rare red-listed tulips.
"Where are the environmentalists? Who will hold the organizers accountable for destroying red-listed tulips?", the residents ask in exasperation.
After heated criticism, officials apologized, blaming the surge of unaccounted-for attendees. Instead of the expected three thousand, five thousand people showed up, allegedly exceeding the prepared capacity of the "Nivas" and "PAZs".
"We apologize to all the residents. But I'd like to note that we are organizing a festival of this scale for the first time," explained Gulnura Zhurabekova, the deputy head of the department of entrepreneurship and industrial and innovative development of the Zhambyl region administration.
The exact cost incurred by the region for the festival remains hidden. Unconfirmed estimates vary between 16 and 160 million tenge.
In the aftermath, officials claim to have learned from their mistakes and are prepared to rectify them in future projects. Some city dwellers, however, have opted to enjoy the tulips within the city limits, bypassing the festival drama entirely.
In addition, the Jambyl region administration reported that the region is home to a diverse range of tulip species, with 18 species thriving within its boundaries. Ten of these varieties are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Dutch experts have used these unique species to breed numerous varieties seen in parks and gardens worldwide. The festival included a scientific-practical conference with leading global experts, advocating for the inclusion of Greg, Kaufer, and Regel tulips in the World Heritage List and the establishment of a geopark in the Little Karatau area to preserve Kazakhstan's outstanding tulip gene pool.
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In the midst of criticisms, some Kazakhstan residents are seeking a shift in focus towards preserving their natural heritage, advocating for the protection of rare red-listed tulips during the festival.
Embracing a lifestyle that values both festivities and environmental responsibility, these residents envision travel experiences that harmonize with the region's unique flora, rather than detracting from it.
