Kazakhstan's Cultural Relay Revives Heritage and Unity

Kazakhstan's 'Taza Qazaqstan' Relay Unites Culture, Cleanup, and National Pride in Turkestan

From graffiti cleanup to flagpole unveilings, this relay isn't just a race—it's a movement to reclaim Kazakhstan's past. Locals and leaders join forces for a greener, prouder future.

Kazakhstan's 'Taza Qazaqstan' Relay Unites Culture, Cleanup, and National Pride in Turkestan

The 'Taza Qazaqstan' road relay has arrived in the Turkestan region, bringing together locals and participants in the Ordabasy district. The event highlights cultural preservation, environmental action, and national unity. Officials and residents welcomed the relay at Qarawyltobe, a site of historical significance in Kazakhstan.

The relay began with a stop at the 'Birlik' monument, part of the Ordabasy National Historical and Cultural Reserve. Participants took part in an event titled 'No way for vandalism!', cleaning the monument's surroundings and removing graffiti. They also restored public property, reinforcing respect for cultural heritage.

At Qarawyltobe's summit, a 30-meter flagpole was unveiled, symbolising unity. Local elders, athletes, and officials, including district akim Azat Oralbayev, greeted the group. Oralbayev spoke about Ordabasy's role in fostering Kazakh national identity and its constructive spirit. The relay then moved to Ekpindi village in the Dermeninsky rural district, where participants learned about the 'Red Bridge' and its historical importance. Earlier, they collected nearly a ton of waste from the Begen reservoir area, transporting it to a landfill. Altyntas Umtaliyev, a key figure in the event, stressed Ordabasy's place in national history and the youth's role in building a 'New Kazakhstan'. Akniet Turdaly, another participant, echoed this, urging respect for cultural values and heritage. Over the past five years, three major sites in the Ordabasy reserve have been restored: the Karaman-Ata mausoleum (2022), the Aisha-Bibi mausoleum (2024), and the ancient Otrar settlement (2025). These projects involved both government funding and non-profit contributions.

The relay's activities in Ordabasy combined environmental efforts, cultural restoration, and public engagement. The newly installed flagpole and cleaned monuments stand as visible results of the initiative. State and community-led restorations have also revived key historical sites in recent years.