Visiting The Abilkhan Kasteev State Art Museum In Almaty

The main art museum in Almaty has a bit more than paintings on the walls. Some heirloom handicrafts, modern work, maybe even a little taxidermy in a corner. All in a snazzy, Soviet, International Style building.

Exterior, inviting.

Soaring interior. Glad we were invited! The main painting galleries do their best to transport you to an old world, stuffy, European atmosphere. The red works.

More paintings and a stern bust. Heavy.

The traditional Kazakh handicrafts are impressive. Great wool and wood work.

Putting a stuffed saiga antelope in the corner. Caution! Will not bite!

Learning The Kazakh ABCs At Ahmet Baitursynuly's House In Almaty

Ahmet Baitursynuly was a politician, wrote poetry, worked in education and, most notably, messed with the Kazakh alphabet. In 1912, he flushed the local alphabet of all Arabic letters and added a handful of new letters specific to the Kazakh language.

His yellow house. Folky.

The place is now a museum, a tribute to the master of letters. On display, about what you would expect. Some writings.

Some books.

And some portraits of The ABC Man. Take your pick, stone or oil.

Finally, a re-creation of all that hard, physical, action-packed work of creating a new alphabet. Dramatic!