Museum of Victims of Political Repressions

The Museum of Victims of Political Repression was opened in 2018 in the village of Zhanalyk in the Almaty Region. Its location is no coincidence - it holds historical significance as a mass burial site of victims of political repression from the late 1930s, including prominent figures of the “Alash” movement. During the period of the "Great Terror" of 1937-1938, the bodies of those executed by NKVD verdicts in the city of Almaty were secretly transported and buried in Zhanalyk. These facts were first discovered in 1989 during the construction of summer houses. As a result of ongoing research, the fates of 4,219 individuals buried at this site have been established. Among them are prominent Kazakh personalities such as Akhmet Baitursynov, Khalel Dosmukhamedov, Sanzhar Asfendiyarov, Saken Seifullin, Beimbet Mailin, and Ilyas Zhansugurov.

The museum exhibition is divided into three main sections:

1. History of Repressions (1916-1986) - This hall presents documentary and historical materials reflecting various stages of political repression and the policies of the totalitarian regime in Kazakhstan. The exposition begins with the national liberation uprising of 1916. Special attention is given to the period of Stalinist repressions in the 1930s-1950s: the concept of the “enemy of the people,” baseless accusations, exiles, imprisonment, and executions. These are illustrated through archival documents and artistic dioramas. A separate section is devoted to the events of December 1986, featuring materials about Kairat Ryskulbekov, Yerbol Sypatayev, and Lyazzat Asanova.

2. Hall of Eternal Memory to the Victims of Political Repressions - In this section, the names of 4,125 individuals who suffered political repression in the Almaty Region are engraved on black granite stone. This hall is intended to commemorate the victims and restore historical justice.

3. Activities of the Historical and Educational Society "Adilet" - The third hall provides information about the society "Adilet", founded in 1989 at the initiative of descendants of repression victims. The main goal of the organization is the rehabilitation of repressed citizens, the collection and study of information about them, and the preservation of memory in the public consciousness.

The museum is not only a historically significant institution but also a cultural and educational center that plays an important role in shaping civic consciousness and preserving historical memory. Its exhibitions are scientifically grounded and complemented by archival documents and reliable testimonies. The museum’s work is closely tied to the comprehensive study of political repression history, the commemoration of innocent victims, and the transmiss

of knowledge about the tragic consequences of the totalitarian system