RFE/RL's Kazakh Service has launched a photo competition asking its readers to send in photos that capture the spirit of Kazakh youth. From wedding parties to souped-up cars to snake dances, the photos are a compelling portrait of a post-Soviet generation. (18 PHOTOS)
What It's Like To Be Young In Kazakhstan
![Students wait nervously before the start of a major high school exam. The results determine which university the students will attend.](https://gdb.rferl.org/5dba2e24-5a1c-4a7f-aec9-c2f50a20d230_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
1
Students wait nervously before the start of a major high school exam. The results determine which university the students will attend.
![Playing chess in the park.](https://gdb.rferl.org/17c5ec90-b030-4beb-870b-258b91c425f5_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
2
Playing chess in the park.
![Before getting married, many Kazakh couples do a photo shoot. They will use a photo for their wedding invitation.](https://gdb.rferl.org/ba42c381-ee75-4e33-a867-993cb655ea14_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
3
Before getting married, many Kazakh couples do a photo shoot. They will use a photo for their wedding invitation.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/e7b08eeb-2970-4055-bf7f-b9f0f9ce9df0_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
4
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/777db96f-2050-4473-b9da-aa5ac2e303ee_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
5
![Moving from a small town to a big city.](https://gdb.rferl.org/6e44ce18-04ea-4ae2-8f6f-f0f33c872dea_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
6
Moving from a small town to a big city.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/984e8946-a312-4613-abf9-358efb6ee9e7_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
7
![A birthday celebration in a Soviet-themed restaurant.](https://gdb.rferl.org/6d4f20e2-a247-4536-830d-284dd1085c0c_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
8
A birthday celebration in a Soviet-themed restaurant.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/3014b381-dc3b-4dce-b9c0-8bc431e96e4b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
9
![A newly married couple prepares to release a pair of doves, which is seen as a symbol of a happy life.](https://gdb.rferl.org/0d74ded1-513a-46af-b782-10449843b0c4_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
10
A newly married couple prepares to release a pair of doves, which is seen as a symbol of a happy life.
![](https://gdb.rferl.org/ceed119f-b56a-4ecb-9497-03b80c1119a8_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
11
![A bride wearing a traditional Kazakh wedding outfit.](https://gdb.rferl.org/e074b172-2e02-405d-83fe-198133867541_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
12
A bride wearing a traditional Kazakh wedding outfit.
![A Kazakh soldier](https://gdb.rferl.org/26bef9a8-1f40-404a-837b-836a3ae28c3e_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
13
A Kazakh soldier
![A snake dance in the southern city of Taraz. Kazakhstan has snakes, but not this big.](https://gdb.rferl.org/aa28151e-032b-4bcf-a06e-2afcaecd5748_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
14
A snake dance in the southern city of Taraz. Kazakhstan has snakes, but not this big.
![A family birthday celebration](https://gdb.rferl.org/ed2a6581-d809-48a9-a890-ae6f92559961_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
15
A family birthday celebration
![Breaking in an untrained horse, a very traditional Kazakh pursuit.](https://gdb.rferl.org/3b4223ff-8ca5-45e9-822c-d4c453dcd58b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
16
Breaking in an untrained horse, a very traditional Kazakh pursuit.
![A couple on an Altybaqan, a traditional Kazakh swing.](https://gdb.rferl.org/4d19ece4-9c28-4985-8774-52bc8ce7db51_w1024_q10_s.png)
17
A couple on an Altybaqan, a traditional Kazakh swing.
![Kazakhstan is no exception to the rest of the world: Young men like their cars fast and flashy.](https://gdb.rferl.org/df14f001-d687-49f5-8cd1-a6cb23e68a0e_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
18
Kazakhstan is no exception to the rest of the world: Young men like their cars fast and flashy.