Museum of Victims of Political Repressions

Established in Shymkent in 2001, the Museum of Victims of Political Repressions was designed by architect A. Naimambay to commemorate those who suffered during the tragic purges of 1937–1938—an era marked by intense persecution across the country. The museum’s two main exhibition halls, the Hall of Mourning and the Hall of Exhibits, recount the lives of remarkable individuals whose legacies were violently disrupted. Here, visitors learn about the contributions of influential figures whose lives were cut short by repression, including:

• Akhmet Baitursynov: An educator, poet, linguist, and co-founder of the Alash Orda autonomy and the newspaper Alash;
• Turar Ryskulov: A statesman, diplomat, and advocate for the rights of Turkic peoples;
• Magzhan Zhumabayev: A poet, educator, and a founding figure of modern Kazakh literature;
• Mustafa Shokay: A prominent public and political leader; and many others.

The purges targeted nearly the entire Kazakh intelligentsia, with thousands exiled far from their homeland. The museum’s displays detail these deportations, the brutal labor camps ALZHIR and Karlag, the peasant uprisings, the devastating famine that claimed millions, the «Little October» policy of Goloshchyokin, and other dark chapters in Kazakhstan’s history.

A powerful sculpture titled Repression stands in the museum’s central hall, portraying broken human figures and blood spilled on the pedestal, symbolizing the suffering endured by the Kazakh people in the 1930s. This artwork captures the anguish and devastation inflicted upon countless innocents during that period.

The Museum of Victims of Political Repressions has become a prominent place for residents and visitors alike, hosting historical and educational events throughout the year. As one of the first institutions in Kazakhstan dedicated to the memory of political repression, it offers a unique architectural style that diverges from classical decorative designs. The building’s stark façade evokes a memorial to lives shattered by a totalitarian regime, a solemn tribute to those who were unjustly silenced.