Department "Museum of Victims of Political Repression

: Fri, 11 April 2025

Shymkent City Museum Association’s Department of the Museum of Victims of Political Repression was officially opened on November 2, 2001, with the direct participation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, N. A. Nazarbayev.

The museum was established on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the country's independence to restore justice, honor the memory of innocent victims of political repression, and educate future generations about the "blank spots" in our history.

According to Order No. 4106 dated August 2, 2024, the Shymkent City Museum of Victims of Political Repression was officially designated as the Shymkent City Museum Association’s Department of the Museum of Victims of Political Repression.

The concept of repression originates from the Latin word "repressio," meaning persecution, punishment, and suppression carried out by state authorities against their own people.

The policy of repression reached its peak in 1937–1938. During these years, 9,323 people were expelled from the Communist Party. In just two weeks in the spring of 1938, the traveling session of the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR, chaired by Goryachev, sentenced 636 figures of politics, science, culture, and art to execution on false charges of being "national fascists" and engaging in espionage.

Across Kazakhstan, 113,000 people fell victim to repression, with 25,000 of them sentenced to death.

The museum’s primary objective is to provide new historical insights into the era of "Red Terror" and contribute to shaping a strong civic position to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Kazakhstani honored artist Amanzhol Naimanbay played a key role in conceptualizing the museum’s thematic design.

The museum consists of three main halls:

Exposition Hall
Hall of memorence
Cinema Hall

Exposition Hall (12 sections):

Alash Leaders - the first Kazakh National Democratic Party and the first liberal movement
The Famine
The Sozak Uprising
The Aday Uprising
Map of Labor Camps in Kazakhstan
Innocent Victims of Political Repression in Southern Kazakhstan
Torture Chamber (Interrogation Room)
Karlag (Karaganda Labor Camp)
ALZHIR (Akmola Camp for Wives of Traitors to the Motherland)
The Tragedy of Totalitarianism
Deportation
December 1986 Events

The central piece of the museum’s exposition is the "Repression" sculptural composition, which portrays the suffering and despair of people of all ages who lived through the hardships of the totalitarian Soviet regime.

In the heart of the exhibition, lightboxes display portraits and biographies of prominent figures, including:

Leaders of Alash Orda and the Turkestan Autonomy: Akhmet Baitursynov, Alikhan Bokeikhanov, Mirzhakyp Dulatov, Magzhan Zhumabayev, Zhusipbek Aimauytov, Mukhamedzhan Tynyshbayev.

Notable statesmen and public figures of Soviet Kazakhstan: Turar Ryskulov, Sultangali Kozhanov, Nazyr Torekulov, Smagul Saduakasov, Seitkali Mendeshov, Temirbek Zhurgenev, Oraz Zhandosov.

Prominent literary figures: Saken Seifullin, Ilyas Zhansugurov, Beimbet Mailin, Kudaibergen Zhubanov.

Initially, the museum opened with approximately 2,500 exhibits. Today, its collection has expanded to 16,691 exhibits. The museum actively collaborates with regional, city, and district archives and museums to enhance its collection. Additionally, it maintains close ties with the descendants of repression victims.

The museum conducts joint research with scholars, historians, and specialists in Alash studies from higher education institutions. Anniversaries of Alash leaders and victims of political repression are commemorated through exhibitions, lectures, and roundtable discussions at the national, regional, and city levels, often covered by mass media.

The museum actively shares its activities, online lectures, and historical information via its social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok). Current digital projects include: