Sun up or sun down? We’ve formed a new monthly interest group called the “Sundowners”, once a month on a Friday after a long week of work or insane life with Littles, we relax and have great conversation. This special group doesn’t just include the Ladies of our club, but you can bring along your spouse/partner as well.
For more information about joining the club, contact Membership at membership.aiwc@gmail.com
Every week (weather permitting) our Hiking Activity Group explores the mountains surrounding our beautiful city of Almaty. The Hiking Group is one of many activity groups we offer. For more information website link in our profile.
If you are interested in joining, please contact our Membership team at membership.aiwc@gmail.com
Author: Local member and Nauryz aficionado, Farida
Nauryz is my family’s favourite holiday. Every family sets a table for guests. Friends and families visit each other, bringing gifts. It is similar to Christmas in that it unites people together around the table with traditional food. While presents are not specifically part of the celebration, when we visit friends we do bring sweets and homemade food. It’s the oldest holiday celebrated in Central Asia and the Middle East, dating back almost 5,000 years.
The month of Nauryz is the first month of the year according to the Eastern calendar. It coincides with the equinox, where day and night are equal lengths everywhere on Earth, as the sun crosses the equator. Kazakhs considered the month of Nauryz sacred.
“Nou Ruz ” translates to “New Day” in Persian, the first symbolic step of the Sun toward the Earth. The Nomadic year is associated with the beginning of Spring and the Revival of Life.
It is believed that New Year does not come into the house if something old reigns. Therefore, in preparation for Nauryz, houses are cleaned and repaired, clothes mended, and work tools fixed. People buy new items and give old goods to the poor.
Just before Nauryz I clean my house and get rid of my old and unused things. My family and I cook some special dishes like Nauryz Kozhe or Baursak. We visit friends and family and they visit us. We celebrate the new year and new life coming.
The way you spend the first day of Nauryz is the way you will live a year. Therefore we try to be generous and hospitable on this day. We forgive any debts and offenses made against us.
The whole of Kazakhstan celebrates this month-long holiday. Some people like to wear traditional dress. In the cities people go to their public squares, where they organize concerts with traditional music and games. Sometimes Plov or Baursak will be served. In the villages they go to the fields, where there are horseback riding games, a big swing, and food cooked in the open air.
Celebrating the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one, we repeat the act of Initial Creation. The ritual helps us to feel the connection with the Space, with something very ancient, giving us an instant sense of belonging to the Eternal.
Please join us for our Coffee morning today at Grand Zina restaurant.
Also a reminder that membership payment is due by 1 October and this can be paid at the Coffee morning today. Looking forward to see you there!
Our membership year begins on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Join us for a cup of coffee and get your membership renewed or if you are just moved to Almaty get your access to a very friendly and interesting expat community here. You will get your personal access to the amazing support network of members and information.
The holidays are fast approaching and will be here before you know it! Come to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends. Get your tickets for the Christmas brunch during our Wednesday coffee mornings or at the Intercontinental Hotel. Buying your tickets you will help charities our club supporting!
Thanks for your support and happy Holidays!
Join us for coffee and tea in the Bisquit cafe – Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 10.30am
Please join us for the virtual coffee morning this Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020.
AIWC Board monitors the current situation and despite that some quarantine restrictions are eased in Almaty we would like our members to stay safe and have an opportunity once again to meet online from any parts of the world wherever you are now. We look forward to see you this Wednesday.
