New regulations governing the installation of monumental art structures have come into effect in Kazakhstan, following an order issued by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
The updated rules delegate the responsibility for organizing monument installations to local executive bodies in oblasts, cities of republican significance, and the capital. Funding for these projects may come from local budgets or other sources permitted under Kazakh law.
Monuments and busts can only be erected in honor of exceptional individuals or to commemorate significant historical events. Such proposals must be approved by a resolution from the Government of Kazakhstan. The regulations also specify that monuments can be erected during a person’s lifetime in exceptional cases.
“The monument may be established not earlier than five years after the death of an outstanding personality, except in cases of heroism, contribution to strengthening independence, or other significant events,” the document states.
Additionally, each locality may commemorate a historical event or prominent individual with only one monument. Installation sites must be located on state property or public facilities.
Monument projects will be selected through a national creative competition among sculptors to minimize corruption risks. These competitions are organized based on annual plans, with regional proposals submitted by December 1 each year.
Kazakhstan has only erected lifetime monuments for one individual: former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. However, several of these monuments were dismantled following the events of January 2022.
During the unrest, rioters destroyed a four-meter-high sculpture of Nazarbayev in Taldykorgan. In subsequent months, other monuments to Nazarbayev were removed from public spaces. For instance, his monument was taken down at the National Defense University in Astana, his portrait was removed from Almaly station in the Almaty subway, and in February, his sculpture was removed from the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana.
