Culture Almaty is largely considered to be the heart and soul of Kazakhstan's classical and popular cultures. The Almaty Region and the city itself have a distinct character and pace compared to other regions and cities in Kazakhstan. Contemporary Almaty has a more European character due to more cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating and public green space. Almaty is the historical and contemporary capital of intellectualism in Kazakhstan as a product of Almaty's location along the ancient Silk Road, and because many Russian intellectuals were exiled to the region. The Abai Kazakh State Opera and Ballet Theatre has anchored the city's theater scene since 1934 and was founded around a community of local performance artists. The Kasteyev State Museum of Arts was founded in 1935, is the largest museum in Kazakhstan, and has the largest collection of artworks by Kazakh classic and contemporary artists. The wild apple Malus sieversii is generally accepted as having first emerged in the Almaty area, and it significantly figures in Almaty's culture.
Culture Almaty is largely considered to be the heart a,nd soul of Kazakhstan's classical and popular cultures. The Almaty Region and the city itself have a distinct character and pace compared to other regions and cities in Kazakhstan. Contemporary Almaty has a more European character due to more cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating and public green space. Almaty is the historical and contemporary capital of intellectualism in Kazakhstan as a product of Almaty's location along the ancient Silk Road, and because many Russian intellectuals were exiled to the region. The Abai Kazakh State Opera and Ballet Theatre has anchored the city's theater scene since 1934 and was founded around a community of local performance artists. The Kasteyev State Museum of Arts was founded in 1935 is the largest museum in Kazakhstan, and has the largest collection of artworks by Kazakh classic and contemporary artists. The wild apple Malus sieversii is generally accepted as having first emerged in the Almaty area, and it significantly figures in Almaty's culture.