Kazakhstan celebrated its Republic Day in Houston, bringing together members of the Kazakhstani community, local officials and representatives of business and cultural organizations. The evening opened with the national anthems of Kazakhstan and the United States, setting a solemn and friendly tone for the event, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
During the celebration, representatives of the Houston city administration, on behalf of Mayor John Whitmire, presented the organizers, Texas Qazaq Foundation, with a proclamation recognizing Kazakhstan’s national holiday. One of the evening’s key announcements came from Kazakhstan’s Consul General in Houston, Gabidulla Ospankulov, who said that an official consular office of Kazakhstan would open in the city in the near future.
On the instructions of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, an official consular office of Kazakhstan will be opened in Houston. Its opening and the commencement of operations are expected in the near future, said Ospankulov. The new office is expected to strengthen ties between Kazakhstani citizens living in the United States and their homeland while creating additional opportunities for cooperation.
Jason Wilson, director at the U.S. Commercial Service Office in Houston, noted that bilateral trade in goods and services between the United States and Kazakhstan exceeded $7 billion for the first time in 2025. The celebration also highlighted efforts to preserve the Kazakh language, culture and national traditions abroad.
Children from Houston Qazaq School, described as the first Kazakh school in the United States, performed traditional Kazakh dances and songs and played the dombra. The school, which has been operating for nearly 15 years, began with just 10 students and now brings together around 80 children.
Young members of the community are also developing initiatives to strengthen connections among Kazakh Americans and preserve their cultural heritage. Twelve Kazakhstani entrepreneurs played an important role in supporting and organizing the celebration. Texas Qazaq Foundation, which works to unite Kazakhstanis living in Texas, continues to develop business and educational initiatives, including the Steppe Business Club and a student forum.
Among the foundation’s long-term plans is the establishment of its own Kazakh community center to host cultural events and support future generations. The evening culminated in a concert by Kazakhstani singer Miras Zhugunusov, which attracted a large audience.