REPUBLICAN STATE ENTERPRISE “KAZRESTORATION” UNDER THE RIGHT OF ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

The Republican State Enterprise “Kazrestoration” under the right of economic management of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan was established on March 29, 1972. The organization was subsequently reorganized into the “Kazrestoration” Trust.

Between 1978 and 1989, pursuant to resolutions of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR, 22 restoration workshops were established in different regions of Kazakhstan. These workshops were part of the Trust and were equipped with substantial production facilities, construction machinery, specialized equipment, and mechanisms. As a result, a comprehensive restoration system was established in Kazakhstan to ensure the preservation of the country’s historical and cultural heritage.

However, the period from 1994 to 1996 was, arguably, one of the most difficult periods for the country’s historical and cultural heritage and restoration institutions. Twenty-one restoration workshops were transferred to the jurisdiction of local executive authorities, and almost all of them were subsequently privatized and sold. Only one organization remained under the authority of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan — the Republican Repair, Construction and Restoration Department. This organization was subsequently reorganized into the RSE “Kazrestoration.” Beginning in 1997, through significant efforts, the enterprise embarked on a successful path of development.

The enterprise’s main areas of activity include repair, restoration, conservation, and regeneration of historical and cultural heritage sites; conducting scientific research; preparing scientific documentation for the inclusion of heritage sites in the serial “Silk Roads” nomination; developing management plans for heritage sites; designing protected zones; preparing registers of historical and cultural heritage sites; developing design and cost-estimate documentation; and installing monumental works and memorials both in the Republic of Kazakhstan and abroad.

One of the most important areas of the enterprise’s work in preserving and restoring historical and cultural heritage was its participation in the implementation of the State Programme “Cultural Heritage” for 2004–2013.

The RSE “Kazrestoration” has five specialized regional branches located in the cities of Turkistan, Taraz, Kyzylorda, and Oral, as well as a Research and Design Branch in Almaty.

Since 1972, the enterprise has restored and preserved more than 400 historical and cultural heritage sites across the Republic of Kazakhstan. Restoration works have been carried out not only in Kazakhstan, but also in Egypt, Syria, and Mongolia. In addition, the enterprise installed a monument to the prominent Kazakh writer Abai Kunanbaiuly in Moscow, the capital of Russia.

In preparation for the 1,500th anniversary of the city of Turkistan, 20 heritage sites within the Azret Sultan State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum were restored, including the Eastern Bathhouse, the 19th-century Mosque, Khaluat, the Mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begim, and others.

In preparation for the 2,000th anniversary of ancient Taraz, approximately 10 sites within the State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum “Ancient Monuments of Taraz” were restored and commissioned. These included the Aisha Bibi Mausoleum, Karakhan Mausoleum, Shamansur Mausoleum, Babaji Khatun Mausoleum, and others.

Throughout its history, the RSE “Kazrestoration” has carried out restoration works at historical and cultural heritage sites across Kazakhstan, including the Arystan Bab Mausoleum; the Mausoleums of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Rabia Sultan Begim; the Abai–Shakarim Complex; the Akkoily Mosque-Madrasah; the Turbat Architectural and Religious Complex; the Aisha Bibi and Babaji Khatun Mausoleums; the Akyrtas Palace Complex; the Karakhan Mausoleum; the Aktas Mosque; the Aikozha Mausoleum; the “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu” Mausoleum; the Shakpak Ata Rock-Cut Underground Mosque; the Karaman Ata Necropolis; the multi-chamber underground mosque of Shopan Ata; the rock-cut mosque of Beket Ata; the Saraman Kosa Tower; the Aсан Ata, Abat Baytak, and Shokai Datka Mausoleums; the Ush-Aral Mosque-Madrasah; the Zharkent Mosque; and many others.

In Almaty, the enterprise has restored more than 15 heritage sites over the course of its activities, including the Officers’ Assembly House, the Asfandiyarov House, the Verny Gymnasium, the Baum House, the Cathedral, the “Kyzyl Tan” Textile House building, and others.