New Almaty Square Opens Where Nazarbayev’s Residence Once Stood

A new square has opened in Almaty on the site of the presidential residence that burned down during Qantar. An Orda.kz correspondent spoke with local residents and park workers about the quality of the landscaping, a fence that gets in the way, and part of the burned building left behind glass without any explanation.

Earlier, Orda.kz reported that work on the square at the site of the former presidential residence in Almaty began last year. At the time, the akimat promised a new public space, tree planting, and landscaping at the intersection of Nazarbayev Avenue and Gandhi Street.

The square later opened, though at first unofficially, while part of the area was still being completed. It effectively became an extension of the existing green zone.

The photo below shows what the site looked like after the events of January 2022.

Now it is a full-fledged place for walks, with paths, benches, trees, and a pond. In winter, there was even a skating rink here. It has now been replaced by a fountain.

But one detail stands out from the new picture: a piece of the burned building. It was left in place and surrounded by a glass fence. No explanatory sign has been installed. People walk up, look at it, and do not understand what it is or why it is there.

We thought it was something old, as if it had been standing there since the Middle Ages. They should have put up at least a sign. But it is right to leave it — people should know what happened during Qantar.residents said.

There are many reactions like this. Some people simply pass by, while others try to understand what the object is.

Square worker Mansiya Kereyeva also said she does not really understand the purpose of the “monument.”

Honestly, I don’t see the point. And it is ugly in general. It is just a piece standing there — and that’s it. she said.

Kereyeva comes to work at 6:30 a.m., although the square itself opens only at 9:00 a.m. She works until 6:00 p.m. She said workers have to clean the area constantly because visitors leave a lot of trash.

We clean all the time. People from the akimat come every morning and check it.she said.

Kereyeva also said the fence around the square is temporary and is expected to be removed.

She said many negative comments about the square appeared online, but ordinary workers were blamed instead of those responsible for building it.

Someone wrote something negative about the park online, and in the end they scolded us and reprimanded us, saying we had not cleaned properly, although we work for more than 12 hours.she said.

People walk here every day, but without any explanation, this piece of wall confuses more than it reminds visitors of what happened here.

Original author: Elvira Ivannikova

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