Why you should go to EXPO 2017 in Astana and visit Kazakhstan. NOW.

The massive Nur Alem Pavilion, the biggest sphere on earth, could be easily mistaken for the Death Star. Please, don’t make that mistake! The Kazakh power is not on the dark side: as the golden steppe eagle and the sun on the national flag highlight it, Kazakhstan is on the light side. I have just returned from a trip to this ancestral territory and now I feel the urge to share the secrets it holds.

Nur Alem is the Kazakh Pavilion in EXPO 2017 Astana about Future Energy. Past world fairs gave us some symbolic landmarks, like the Atomium in Brussels in 1958 and the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1889. Now, time has come for Kazakhstan to make its entry on the international scene. EXPO 2017 is a turning point and major event on several levels. Firstly, on the city level. Astana is the mesmerizing and futuristic capital of Kazakhstan since 1997 and the perfect showcase of the land’s modernity and aspirations.

Secondly, on the national level. What do you even know about Kazakhstan? Did you know it is the 9th largest country and had some of the world biggest reserves of oil, chromium, manganese and uranium? Astana EXPO aims at filling those gaps by proudly displaying the country capacities to the eyes of the whole world.

Thirdly, on the international level. For the first time, an international exposition is held in a former Soviet Republic. The event is particularly meaningful for Central Asia, which also includes Uzbekistan, Kirghizstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (surely as mysterious as their Kazakh neighbour) and who may benefit from positive externalities.

But what about the EXPO 2017 itself? Is it worth it? YES, IT IS! And it is really huge. I stayed 8 hours there and it was not even enough to see everything. The theme itself is of great interest: Future Energy, or how to ensure safe and sustainable access to energy for all while reducing CO2 emissions. 115 countries share their challenges, projects and solutions to face that issue but also their culture, traditions, arts, history, cuisine, etc. For diversity lovers, EXPO 2017 is also an invitation to travel. You could discover interesting facts about some of these countries, notably:

- the lowest sun area in Central Asia is equivalent to the highest one in Germany;

- 80% of Georgian energy is (already!) renewable;

- 40% of the population in Saudi Arabia is under 24 years old;

- in 2002, only 6% of Afghanistan total population had access to electricity. Now, it is 85%.

EXPO 2017 is not only a chance for Kazakhstan or ex-Soviet satellites: it is a chance for humanity. Some countries are ambitious enough to set deadlines to reach their goals (Egypt 2022, Turkey 2023, Saudi Arabia 2030) without skimping on the means to vamp the public: interactive equipment, special effects, cinema, simulators… China is one of them while smaller countries had to collaborate to afford a ticket to Astana: Silk Way, Africa, South America, etc. EXPO 2017 can also be seen as a chance for international cooperation to solve global crises.

Japan, Israel, Thailand, Germany, United Arab Emirates, South Korea are among the most visited pavilions. The popularity of the last two ones is no surprise. South Korea already invests a lot in Kazakhstan and many Kazakh people show a true interest for the culture of this Asian country. Dubai also fascinates Kazakh citizens: after all, could we not refer to Astana as “the Dubai of the steppes”? The Emiratis have a lot in common with the Kazakhs: nomadic origins, desolate landscapes, Islam and a declared attention to catch foreign investments.

And yet there are also notable absents to the Expo: Belgium (sore loser – as Liège lost the competition to host the Expo?), Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Canada… Well, Canada at least puts in an appearance through Cirque du Soleil shows.

So, EXPO 2017 is a must see for all people interested in innovation and future. But there’s more to it. Behind the expo, there is Astana, and behind Astana, there is Kazakhstan. I actually arrived in Astana after a 14-hour train journey from Almaty and after roaming in the southern region and its amazing national parks. Kazakhstan is a beautiful destination with deeply touching people and almost no tourists. I tried to understand why so few visitors are eager to be part of the Kazakh experience and I think I found the answer. It is because tourists need what I call “touristic green light” before going somewhere. Is Madrid more beautiful than Kiev? I have seen both cities and I can answer “no”. But almost everyone knows someone who went to Madrid while they are unlikely to have Kiev tourists among their peers. Tourists are followers, not leaders. But I’m telling you, you should go to EXPO 2017 before it is over (10th September, so be quick!) and to Kazakhstan before it becomes trendy. Because it will.

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