Kazakhstan Borat 2

Very Nice! Kazakhstan Finally Embraces ‘Borat’ Fame

When the first Borat film was released in 2006, the cult hit made fun of Americans. Unfortunately, the Kazakhs didn’t see it that way. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan caused an uproar. The Kazakhstan government threatened to sue Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen and even took out a four-page ad in The New York Times. 

However, local tour agencies soon saw a spike in interest in the previously off-the-radar country. Tourist entry visas boomed. Now, 14 years on and a new Borat sequel, and Kazakhstan is finally embracing its unique claim to fame.

Kazakhstan Tourism is Embracing Borat 2 and the Film’s ‘Very Nice!’ Catchphrase

Kazakh Tourism has a new series of ads that showcase country’s landscapes, architecture, food and culture with Borat’s favourite catchphrase: “Very nice.”

“How can you describe a place this surprising in just two words?” reads the YouTube caption. “As a wise man once said, ‘Very nice!’”

“Kazakhstan’s nature is very nice. Its food is very nice. And its people, despite Borat’s jokes to the contrary, are some of the nicest in the world,” said Kairat Sadvakassov, deputy chairman of Kazakh Tourism, in a statement. “We would like everyone to come experience Kazakhstan for themselves by visiting our country in 2021 and beyond, so that they can see that Borat’s homeland is nicer than they may have heard.”

Baron Cohen agrees, saying: “This is a comedy, and the Kazakhstan in the film has nothing to do with the real country. The real Kazakhstan is a beautiful country with a modern, proud society — the opposite of Borat’s version.”

We for one, have this place firmly on our must-visit lists.

Sarah Clayton-Lea

Co-founder of Big 7 Travel, Sarah created the company through her passion for championing the world's best food and travel experiences. Before her career in digital media, where she previously held roles such as Editor of Food&Wine Ireland, Sarah worked in the hospitality industry in Dublin and New York.

Contact [email protected]

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