PART IV: ASTANA

ASTANA (1)

Astana was founded in 1830 in the steppes of Sary-Arka – the sacred place known as a centre of ancient civilization of nomads. Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan and the centre of Akmolinsk region – the Motherland of Saken Seifullin and Magjan Joumabayev. In 1832-1961 the city was called Akmolinsk, and when the development of virgin lands started in the Soviet Union it was renamed into Tselinograd. After Kazakhstan had gained the independence, a decision was made to replace the capital. So now Kazakhstan has a new capital and the city has a new name – Astana.

Textile, light and printing industries are highly developed in Astana. There are many universities, institutes and colleges here. Astana is the centre of political life of Kazakhstan. The Residence of President is located here. Astana is also the seat of the Parliament and the Government. It is the city of great construction projects. For a short period of time the Governmental buildings and the “Continental” hotel have been built and the central residential section has been reconstructed. In XXI century Astana will be one of the most beautiful and flourishing capitals of the world.

ASTANA (2)

Akmolinsk steppes were always the territory of interethnic ties. Even Herodotus mentioned the Great Silk way, which lay through these steppes in the middle of the first millennium B.C. Many caravan ways gave life to the cities with flourishing trade.

In the XIX century Akmola was a popular trading and economic steppe centre. Its history started in 1830 when the Russian Empire founded a fortress with this name by the Karaotkel River. From 1832 the fortress began to be called Akmolinsk and by the end of the XIX century it became a town with this name with the population of about 6428 people. It had three churches, 5 schools and colleges, and 3 factories.

The next step in the development of this city was cultivating virgin lands. By 1960 the city having the population of 100 thousand people became the centre of the North Region of Kazakhstan. It was renamed into Tselinograd and became a beautiful modern city with the population of 250 thousand. Many volunteers from the whole USSR came here to build the city and live there. Many institutes, hospitals, museums, theatres were built there. The virgin area became an agricultural centre with the developed machinery engineering, cattle breeding and poultry keeping.

After Kazakhstan gained its independence the city got its former name - Akmola. But in 1998 when the capital was transferred from Almaty, the city got its new symbolic name – Astana. The decision to transfer the capital depended on some economic, ecological and geographical factors. The main argument in choosing the place for the capital was the general features of the city, its location and territory, as well as its well-developed transport system. Besides, it can stimulate northern, central and eastern regions flourishing. Even development of the state economy will increase.

For the last few years Astana has changed. The city centre impresses especially. Grand buildings of the Government and Parliament Houses, other administrative establishments meet all modern requirements. Music College, Opera House, the central square are marked by magnificent architectural items. The Republic Avenue is wonderful at night. After a working day citizens and visitors like walking along the embankment of the Ishim River with attractions, parks and cafes working half the night.

Ø Answer the questions:

1. Were Akmolinsk steppers always the territory of interethnic ties?

2. When was Akmola a popular trading and economic steppe centre?

3. When was Akmola renamed into Tselinograd and became a beautiful modern city with the population of 250 thousand?

4. Who came to Tselinograd to build it?

5. What buildings were built in Tselinograd?

6. When did Akmola get its symbolic name – Astana?

7. Has Astana become a beautiful city?

Ø Say whether it is right or wrong:

1. In the XIX century Akmola was a popular trading and economic steppe centre.

2. Its history started in 1930 when the Russian Empire founded a fortress with this name by the Karaotkel River.

3. Akmolinsk had one church, 2 schools and colleges, and 5 factories.

4. Many institutes, hospitals, museums, theatres were built here.

5. The city centre impresses especially.

Ø Heads and tails:

1. From 1832 the fortress began - transferred from Almaty, the city got

to be called its symbolic name – Astana.

2. The next step in the - the developed machinery development of this city engineering, cattle-breeding and poultry

keeping.

3. The virgin area became an - is wonderful at night.

agricultural centre with

4. But in 1988 when the capital was - was cultivating virgin lands.

5. The Republic Avenue - Almaty.

Astana (3)

During its lifetime, the new capital of Kazakhstan, 1300 km northwest of Almaty, has gone through several name changes. It was founded in 1870 as a Russian Cossack fortress, named Akmola (a Kazakh name meaning “white plenty” because the area was renowned for its dairy products and bread). When Nikita Khrushchev announced his Virgin Lands scheme, Akmola became the project capital and was renamed Tselinograd in 1961. Many immigrants from Russia and Western USSR came to work here.

After the break up of the USSR, Akmola got back its old name, and would have kept it if President Nazarbayev’s plan to shift the capital here from Almaty hadn’t attracted such unfavorable comments. Although Nazarbayev cited the possibility of earthquakes in Almaty and its worrying closeness to conflicts in neighbouring countries as good reasons for making the change, critics said opting for a provincial town, plagued by extremes of weather, as the new capital would prove to be Nazarbayev’s political grave – a pun on another translation of Akmola, as ‘white tomb’. The President promptly renamed the city Astana (Kazakh for ‘capital’) and hastened along the program of change so that by December 1997 all government ministries and the parliament had moved here.

Astana’s international debut was 10 June 1998, when visitors were greeted by what appeared to be a shiny new city. The reality, beyond a handful of new constructions, is that the old Soviet buildings have been given a lick of paint and plastic siding facelifts, look behind the facades and the same old crumbling concrete remains. There are grand plans to redesign the city completely, but these have been scaled back due to lack of funds.

Still, Astana is a friendly low-rise town with some attractive tree-lined streets, but prone to strong steppe winds and very harsh winters.

The city is centred around the square at the end of Beibitshilik (former Mira). Here you will find major new government buildings, including the Parliament at the north end. The airport is 17 km. south from the centre. The road from the airport into the city passes a striking monument erected in memory of those who perished during Stalin’s rule. Nearby is the city’s central park, bordering the river Ishim.

Ø Answer the questions:

1. Where is Astana situated?

2. When was it founded?

3. How many name changes has it gone through?

4. When did it get back its old name Akmola?

5. Who decided to shift the capital to Astana from Almaty? Why?

6. When was Astana’s debut?

8. What does Astana prone to?

9. Where is the city centered around?

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 2903