The participants of the «Caspian Sea Action Week – 2026» laid flowers at the monument to Abai and visited the tourist sites «Bozzhyra» and «Caspian Paradise»

On August 9, the 4th day of the International Volunteer Action Week on the Caspian Sea, an excursion to the Boszhira tract—one of Kazakhstan’s most popular natural attractions—was organized for the participants according to the program. This is a ridge of rock formations varying in size and shape. A mountain of the same name is also located here, with its highest point reaching 287 meters.

The stunning chalk remnants and desert mountains resemble the scenery of sci-fi movies. By the way, according to the Forum organizers, global cinema star Jackie Chan came here to shoot certain scenes for his movie Armour of God. Furthermore, they noted that the famous Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen chose this unique location to film one of his music videos.

The road was long, and in some places, it was necessary to travel off-road. However, upon reaching the destination, everyone was so inspired by the natural beauty that they completely forgot about the difficult journey.

At Boszhira, it is impossible not to take plenty of photos and videos. A traditional group photo session took place, where the country delegations took pictures with their national flags.

Afterward, the hospitable staff of the Kyzylsai State Regional Natural Park, which oversees the Boszhira tract, put on a spectacular show infused with national flavor for their dear guests. This featured live open-air music, traditional drinks, and sweets. Inside a yurt, they served delicious pilaf, salads, refreshing beverages, and tea. Representatives of the country delegations expressed their deep gratitude to the organizers of the forum and the Kyzylsai Natural Park for such an excursion and for the Forum as a whole!

August 10 marked the end of four days of intensive Forum work—heated discussions, knowledge exchange, excursions, and new acquaintances. On the fifth day, the delegates visited the city’s main center of culture and creativity—the Abai Cultural and Leisure Complex in Aktau. On this day, the 181st anniversary of the great poet and thinker was celebrated. Flowers were laid at the monument of the great Kazakh poet Kunanbaev. The ceremony, attended by the First Deputy Akim of the Mangystau Region Askhat Razdykovich Oralov and the Akim of Aktau Abilkair Zhanaevich Baipakov, brought together public figures, poets, writers, admirers of the poet’s work, and residents of Aktau.

This day reminded us all that any large-scale forum is not only about numbers, reports, and agreements, but primarily about people and their shared cultural memory. Laying flowers and paying respects was a sincere and touching moment for everyone.

The great poet’s contribution to the Turkic world is so immense that his creative legacy is honored in many countries globally. A testament to this was the grand opening of a monument to Abai Kunanbaev on October 10, 2024, in Ashgabat, attended by the leaders of both countries.

Later that same day, at the initiative of the regional administration (akimat), the delegates were treated to a trip to the seaside tourist site «Caspian Paradise,» which is decorated with authentic national flavor. The fresh, salty wind of the Caspian Sea instantly blew away any remaining travel fatigue, leaving behind only pure admiration for the seashore and the unique ecosystem—the beauty of which you feel the moment you step onto the wild coast. The location turned out to be truly astonishing. The rugged rocky shores, carved by time and winds, created a mesmerizing landscape. We gladly swam and strolled through this wonderful place. In the distance, the famous Blue Bay glowed sapphire. It was absolutely impossible to resist the sea. Some joyfully plunged into the refreshing water, washing away the tension of the workdays, while others preferred a leisurely boat ride, cutting through the sun-sparkled waves. In such moments, you acutely feel the living, powerful pulse of the Caspian Sea.

And then came lunch. Eating outdoors is always a special pleasure, but here the organizers outdid themselves by setting tables in traditional, cozy yurts. The air was thick with the scent of a campfire. We were treated to magnificent fish, caught right on-site, and a hearty, hot dish of rice and meat infused with the aromas of spices and smoke. But the most soulful moment was the tea. Brewed directly over an open fire, it acquired that unique, unmistakable taste of camping romance. In those yurts, over bowls of scalding tea and baursaks, accompanied by the distant sound of the surf and music, conversations flowed completely differently—not like official delegates, but like good old friends united by a common cause. «Caspian Paradise» gave us not just relaxation, but a true reboot of the soul!

Ayna Atayeva.