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.

Local Lore At The Shymkent Regional History Museum

Time to see what came before you in Shymkent. All that history, heritage, culture, yurt moving. Monumental paintings are a helpful guide. Powerful Khans, fierce battles. Consider it the sword and sandal era of Central Asia.

Klassic Kazakhstan, a nicely turned out yurt, ready for its magazine spread in Architectural Steppe. All dudded up. Traditional wear or some sort of casting call for a hot chocolate commercial in the Alps?

Playing with fire, staying alive.

Modern boasts, the weight of medals on your chest and the acreage of cotton you grew in the desert.

Relics underneath the ever free mighty falcon, cruising the desolate country. Your fans: a lizard and a woodchuck.