Archive · 2026 · From the print edition of Thursday 12 March 2026, Vol. 33, No. 10,330
NewsGovernor's wife hosts Irad Day reception as sons call separately
As last year, Anara Toktarova's sons came to her Irad Day reception at different hours, and her children were not seen together.
TALAS — Anara Toktarova held her Irad Day reception for the Children's Fund yesterday evening, as she has every year since 2011. As at last year's, her sons arrived and left at different hours, and the family was not seen together.
Ruslan Toktarov came early and left before the speeches. Alikhan Toktarov arrived later in the evening. Bekzat Toktarov stood beside his mother for most of the reception, and Zara Toktarova greeted guests for the first hour. Guests said Mrs. Toktarova's children now call on her separately, as they have since the Governor withdrew from public view in July 2024. Ruslan and Alikhan Toktarov have not been photographed together since then.
Mrs. Toktarova spoke about the fund's work with widows and orphans and thanked her guests "and my family". A fund spokeswoman said the evening had gone "as planned".
The Governor, who has not appeared in public for twenty months, was not present. Earlier in the day his stallion Zharkyn had led the Irad Day parade without a rider.