Photo chronicles of Almaty presented prior to Almaty Day

Photo exhibition called Almaty Beinesi opened at Shokan Valikhanov square in front of the Science Academy in Almaty (at the crossing of Kyrmangazy and Kunayev streets), Tengrinews.kz reports. The exhibition is timed to Almaty Day which is celebrated on the third Sunday of September (September 18 this year). Over 50 photographs illustrate the history of development of Almaty architecture: first wooden buildings, architecture of the war time, first stone buildings in 1050s and the period of Soviet socialism. “All these unique buildings and facilities gave Almaty its own style,” President of Architects Union Akmurza Rustambekov commented on the exposition. “Almaty was called Mecca of Soviet architecture and the chronicles of the city are very precious for its citizens.” The exhibition also includes the buildings constructed in Almaty in the past few years: modern trade and business centers, residential buildings covered with glass and metal. According to president of photo-club Medeo and one of the most famous Kazakhstan photo-chronicler Valeriy Korenchuk, the city is losing its harmony. “Looking at old photographs, we can see the dominating image of a human being that this city is made for. Currently there are more and more images mainly illustrating the industrial progress and monumentality of the buildings. People are becoming invisible,” Korenshuk said. By Vladimir Dmitriyev