Kunaev Museum, Almaty

The rising interest in the life of Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich Kunaev led to the opening of a Memorial Apartment-Museum in January 2012, marking his 100th anniversary. Located in the home where Kunaev lived, this museum offers visitors a unique glimpse into the personal life of this great figure. The museum showcases numerous souvenirs and valuable gifts that reflect the many cities and countries he visited, as well as the people he met, worked with, and befriended throughout his life. The museum is housed in two buildings.

Kunaev lived in this apartment from 1969 until his death in 1993. The museum’s true value lies in the authenticity and preservation of the apartment’s original interior, offering a rare look into his everyday life. The displayed items reveal Kunaev as a simple and modest man, providing insight into his interests, hobbies, and personal relaxation time. The apartment-museum is part of a residential building, where his neighbors at various times included notable figures such as Asanbay Askarov, Nursultan Nazarbayev, Sultan Zhienbayev, and Nikolai Lyashchenko. The apartment consists of a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and Kunaev’s personal office.

An interesting fact is that among Kunaev’s collection of music records, you can find albums by Vladimir Vysotsky, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and other contemporary artists. The collection of Qurans, the holy book of Islam, is also remarkable. Different editions of the Quran were often acquired by Kunaev’s wife, Zukhra Sharipovna, and Kunaev himself brought back copies from his trips to Muslim countries. Visitors can also view and learn about the many souvenirs and valuable gifts given to Kunaev by the people of Kazakhstan and prominent political, cultural, and scientific figures from around the world.

The museum’s exhibition is based on D.A. Kunaev’s memoir, From Stalin to Gorbachev. Drawing from his personal recollections, historical events, and archival documents, the exhibition brings to life the era in which Kunaev lived and his significant contributions to it.

The exhibition is enhanced with multimedia tools, allowing visitors to explore Kunaev’s family lineage, his childhood, school, and university years. On the second floor, in the video zone, materials on his scientific achievements, his role in the development of Almaty, and his diplomatic efforts are presented.

The Apartment-Museum is located in a building on M. Tulebaev Street, at the intersection with Karasai Batyr Street. The museum consists of four rooms: D.A. Kunaev’s study, a living room, a hallway, a bedroom, and a kitchen. On display are items used for hosting guests, including crystal vases and fine china sets. Kunaev’s personal library holds approximately 5,000 books, showcasing his passion for reading and knowledge. The museum also features a unique collection of 450 lighters, which belonged to Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich, offering another personal glimpse into his life.

Address
Tulebaev Street, 117

Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM