New rules for music and film in Kazakhstan ^{CEFR B2}

Kazakhstan's creative sector has grown fast in recent years, with new artists gaining attention at home and abroad and some addressing the January 2022 protests known as Qandy Qantar. Singer Yenlik recently became the first Kazakhstani to appear on the German music platform COLORS, illustrating the sector's international reach.

On February 18 President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed amendments to the law on creative industries. From April 20 organisers planning concerts must meet new requirements and include clauses in event contracts about permitted material. Article 9-1 explicitly forbids a broad set of content, including material "contrary to accepted societal norms, morals and ethics," and content about suicide, drugs or pornography. Vice Minister of Culture and Information Yegeniy Kochetov said authorities would dissuade artists from performing songs deemed unlawful and "recommend them not to use those specific songs." Organisers must also coordinate with local authorities at least 30 days before events that include foreign artists; if a foreign performer refers to banned themes, the event may be banned or suspended.

Industry figures warn the measures risk a new era of censorship. Aizatulla Hussein, founder of Ozen, credited the industry's rise to "its sincerity and an unregulated framework" and argued that limits should apply mainly to public platforms like TV and radio. A producer commented that banning "18+" songs at concerts is an attack on individual choice. The hip-hop group Daiynball said the impact on their song "Qazaq eline +1," which references Qandy Qantar, depends on enforcement, and they plan to continue making music without adapting to the new rules. Concert director Yerkin Yerali and manager George Karakeshishyan said artists will need greater legal knowledge and that teams may edit lyrics or refuse release if violations are found. The reforms also extend film pre-release expert review from 7 to 30 working days, and observers warn this could weaken artistic freedom and limit Kazakhstan's cultural exports, although some large event organisers say existing coordination with authorities may reduce the immediate impact.