State Military-Historical Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Military History Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a unique scientific, educational, and cultural institution dedicated to preserving and widely promoting the country’s military heritage. The museum fulfills its mission by studying military history, showcasing examples of martial valor, and fostering patriotic education among the younger generation. It is housed in a modern architectural complex constructed in 1998 at the initiative of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. A distinguishing feature of the building is its multifunctionality: in addition to exhibition spaces, it also hosts a concert hall, a temporary exhibitions hall, as well as the Central Orchestra and Central Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The museum's collection comprises over 10,000 artifacts that reflect the military culture and combat history of the Kazakh people from ancient times to the present day. These include archaeological finds, weapons, documents, military uniforms, and rare historical items.

The main exhibition halls of the museum include:

1. Hall of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan - This hall presents materials on the formation, development, and achievements of Kazakhstan's independent army. A special section is devoted to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces - Nursultan Nazarbayev.

2. Hall “Antiquity - 19th Century” - This exhibition explores the development of military art and weapon-making traditions among the Kazakhs, showcasing archaeological artifacts from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.

3. Hall of 20th Century Military History - This hall displays materials related to the period of the Alash Orda movement, the Great Patriotic War, and the participation of Kazakh citizens in the Soviet-Afghan War. Multimedia tools are used to present information about Heroes of the Soviet Union, recipients of the Order of Glory, and those awarded the “People’s Hero” title.

4. Hall of Weapons (20th-21st Centuries) - Exhibits include pistols, automatic rifles, grenade launchers, anti-tank mines, aviation weapons, and military equipment models such as the T-72 tank, Su-25 attack aircraft, and the “Tornado” naval vessel.

5. Hall of Temporary Exhibitions - This space hosts rotating exhibitions, including collections such as the elite antique salon “Ampir.”

6. Hall of Fine Arts - Features paintings, graphics, and sculptures dedicated to the defense of the homeland by Kazakhstani artists. Notable are the portrait sculptures of Zhambyl Zhabayev, Queen Tomyris, World War II heroines Manshuk Mametova and Aliya Moldagulova, as well as Marshal Konev.

In the museum’s atrium, a series of bas-reliefs illustrates the historical continuity and evolution of Kazakh warriors’ weaponry from ancient to modern times. The central element of the atrium is the “Mangilik El” (“Eternal Nation”) composition, which symbolically unites the images of historical heroes with contemporary defenders of the homeland. The museum is not only an exhibition space but also a center for scientific research, museum pedagogy, and patriotic education. It hosts research projects, archival work, conferences, exhibitions, and interactive educational sessions. Visitors also have access to an interactive book featuring rare archival documents from Russian archives.

The Military History Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a vital national institution devoted to the preservation and celebration of the country’s military traditions. It ensures the continuity of national and military memory and contributes to passing this legacy on to future generations.