Aqzhan: 'Pure soul', brand of the Great Steppe

A new cultural symbol has appeared in Astana — the mare Aqzhan of rare isabelline color, daughter of purebred Akhal-Teke horses Gauntly and Tabys, and the favorite of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Her radiant coat and noble appearance have already become a topic of discussion on social media and in international magazines, Qazinform News Agency reports.

Child of Light and Vastness

In the silence of the Great Steppe, where the wind remembers the breath of centuries, she was born Aqzhan, "Pure Soul", a child of light and vastness. Here, at the horizon where earth merges with sky, where the wind carries the stories of nomads, her journey begins. In this space there are no boundaries —only freedom cast into movement, only strength born from nature itself.

Aqzhan belongs to the unique isabelline color — only 3% of Akhal-Teke horses have it — and was born in Astana on March 30, 2025. Her coat possesses an optical effect: the finest hairs refract light, creating a satin-like, almost otherworldly shine. In steppe culture, an isabelline horse has always been considered a good omen, a herald of luck and prosperity. And this is no surprise, since such a color is rare even among Akhal-Tekes.

At first glance, it seems like a beautiful fairy-tale from the world of elite horse breeding. But the closer you look, the clearer it becomes: the aesthetics of modern Kazakhstan are woven together in a remarkable way in Aqzhan's image. A new ethic of responsibility and a reverent attitude toward the idea of a 'pure soul' — one's own, the country's and the era's.

Aqzhan is becoming a recognizable symbol of Astana. The legends of the past and the values of the present unite in her image. Amid the rapid development of the modern capital, this image reminds us: the true strength of a metropolis lies not only in architectural achievements and economic growth, but also in the moral values that bring its people together.

"For our capital, it is important that identity is formed not only around iconic buildings, but also around stories, traditions, and images with which residents emotionally connect. It is precisely such symbols that make the city more humane and help foster a sense of belonging. Ultimately, a strong urban identity is born where the physical environment combines with culture and everyday life," says urbanist Adiya Karsybek.

According to the expert, global practice offers many examples where characters or images become unofficial symbols of cities. What unites them is one thing: such symbols cannot be artificially imposed "from the top down". They become symbols only when residents themselves begin to perceive them as part of urban culture.