Nazarbayev Ave: Qaraganda Residents Petition to Restore Peace Boulevard Name

A petition has been launched on Epetition.kz calling for Qaraganda city authorities to restore the historical name of one of its central streets - Peace Boulevard (Bulvar Mira), renamed Nazarbayev Avenue.

Qaraganda has a rich history, and preserving historical toponyms helps maintain respect for the city's roots and traditions. We ask authorities to consider returning the previous name to preserve Qaraganda's historical and cultural identity, the petition states.

The petitioners argue that "Peace Boulevard" symbolized stability, friendship, and unity for decades, deeply resonating with multiple generations of local residents. They note that the name change has created confusion for residents and visitors, complicating navigation through the city.

The street was renamed in 2019 when local authorities combined Peace Boulevard and Tulepov Street into Nazarbayev Avenue.

According to our previous research, at least 13 streets and 11 monuments are honoring Nursultan Nazarbayev throughout post-Soviet countries. 

Nazarbayev Avenues can be found in numerous Kazakh cities, including Almaty, Aqtau, Oskemen, Shymkent, Qostanay, Kokshetau, Pavlodar, and Oral, as well as in Russia, Türkiye, and Jordan.

The city administration may consider discussing the restoration of the Peace Boulevard name if the petition reaches 50,000 signatures.

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