Museum of Victims of Political Repression

Despite its leave nothing out, wordy title, this museum is a moving place. The theme is remembering dekulakisation (not a made up word), a Soviet campaign of repression from 1929 until 1932, general Stalin purges from the 1930s and all the way up to 1986 for the Zheltoksan protests over the changing of leadership. More details here.

The museum is one main room with an impressive centerpiece sculpture surrounded by an endless parade of victim bios.

The sculpture doesn't hold back on emotional angst, from tortured souls to bloody bodies, pierced by a communist star. 

The walls of the room are covered with more stories and rows of black and white mug shots of the innocent. Committing no crimes also doesn't pay.

There's a classic looking diorama, the Kazakhs defending themselves in vain.

Another room is more a memorial, simply a march of panels, name after name of the victims through history.