Symbol of Karaganda’s history officially returned to the state

Tengrinews.kz - The Lenin Cinema in Karaganda has officially been returned to state ownership, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.

Authorities emphasized that the cinema is a significant part of Karaganda’s cultural history.

"Opened in 1960, the cinema became the first two-hall widescreen theater in the city. It hosted major premieres, festivals, and film forums, serving as a cultural hub for Karaganda. However, in 1998, it was unlawfully removed from the list of historical and cultural monuments and subsequently privatized," the statement reads.

To restore the cinema to public ownership, the Kazbek Bi district prosecutor’s office conducted an investigation and successfully proved the privatization’s illegality in court.

"The court proceedings lasted several months. Thanks to the evidence of violations presented, the court ruled in favor of returning the cinema to state ownership," officials noted.

Following privatization, the building changed owners multiple times. The court declared all sales agreements null and void, including contracts from 1999, 2001, and 2015 involving Karaganda’s Committee of State Property and Privatization, LLP "Parusa," LLP "Kazakhstan Investment Company," and LLP "Avangard LTD."

Previously, Astana's akimat announced that Astana International Airport was being transferred to municipal ownership of the city.