Soviet-era Cinema "Tselinny" in Almaty to Become Modern Cultural Hub

The first glimpses of Almaty's upcoming contemporary cultural center, set to replace the former Soviet-era "Tselinny" cinema, have been revealed, Orda.kz reports.

Built in 1964, the iconic cinema will be transformed into a state-of-the-art, multifunctional cultural venue.

Once completed, it will become Kazakhstan’s first independent institution dedicated to contemporary art, hosting exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, and various creative events.

The ambitious reconstruction is led by renowned British architect Asif Khan, who has preserved key architectural elements of the original structure while modernizing it to meet contemporary standards.

Initially launched in 2018, the project faced delays due to the pandemic but is now back on track.

A striking feature, the wave-shaped reinforced fiber concrete facade, will be adorned with relief designs inspired by ancient petroglyphs. Khan describes the facade as an abstract homage to Yevgeny Sidorkin’s original sgraffito artwork, which depicted scenes from traditional Kazakh life.

My goal isn't to simply renovate Soviet remnants but to uncover a Tselinny that never was, enabling a future defined by the next generation of artists and audiences. Inspired by the ideas of the institution and its visionary programme, this space, both archaic and futuristic – cloud-like in its fluidity – offers a unique opportunity for artists to plant the seeds of transformative creative exploration, said Khan. 

The new center will focus on supporting artists from Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Its high ceilings, spacious halls, and panoramic windows will foster an inspiring creative atmosphere. The facility will also feature a gallery, library, workshop, and bookstore.

Tselinny is set to open in the spring of 2025.

Original Author: Rustam Muratov