One of Kazakhstan's largest hot air balloon festivals returned to the Almaty region after a two-year hiatus, attracting pilots from 12 countries and filling the sky with multicolored balloons. The event featured 29 balloons, including a giant owl-shaped one, with daily flights over the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains. Visitors could also enjoy tethered and passenger flights. Beyond the balloon demonstrations, the festival offered concerts, family activities, giant kites, and powered hang glider demonstrations. The event made its comeback after being canceled in 2024 due to severe flooding in Kazakhstan. Organizers hope the festival will help promote adventure tourism and support the development of hot air ballooning throughout the country. In this version, the text is more fluid, more in line with current events language, and better suited to video.
