Kazakhstan Celebrates Its Apple Heritage in a Big Way

Over 1,000 people gathered in Kazakhstan's Almaty city on October 21 to celebrate International Apple Day - and the city’s deep-rooted connection to one of the world’s most beloved fruits.

The vibrant event was held at the Almaty Resort Sanatorium, where guests were welcomed with live music, fresh pastries, and of course, baskets of ripe apples, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Families, artists, local artisans, bloggers, and media personalities came together to celebrate what has become a cherished city tradition.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains, Almaty is considered the birthplace of the apple. The region is home to the wild Sievers apple (Malus sieversii) - the original ancestor of all apples we eat today.

photo: Kazinform

“The apple is more than a fruit-it’s a symbol of Almaty, of health, and of our natural heritage,” said Gulzhanat Bugubayeva, Director of the Almaty Resort.

Dr. Laura Shadymanova, head of Kazakhstan’s Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, highlighted that genetic studies in the 1990s confirmed the Sievers apple as the closest relative to modern cultivated apples.

Botanist Nikolai Vavilov identified Almaty as the apple’s origin in the 1920s.

Kazakh academic Aimak Zhangaliyev expanded the research, preserving many native species.

Today, 100+ apple varieties and 27 Sievers apple types are registered in Kazakhstan’s State Breeding Registry.

Kazakhstan is working with the UN FAO to promote the iconic Almaty Aport apple as a national brand - a move that could boost both cultural pride and global recognition.

Beyond apples, attendees left with a renewed sense of pride in Kazakhstan’s role as the true origin of the apple - blending science, culture, and celebration.