Kazakhstan, Karaganda - Walking from Akimat to Miners' Palace of Culture through Central Park

Today's walk is special. First of all, we introduce a new city, which is always nice, but the city itself is also special. Because it's Karaganda!
What's so special about Karaganda? Well, it's kind of hard to explain to the outsiders, because at first blush Karaganda is just an average middle-size industrial city, located in a few hours ride from Astana. But for the people of the ex-Soviet countries its distinction is quite obvious.
It's a cultural thing, kind of a catchphrase. If you want to avoid answering a Where-question, you just say: "Where? In Karaganda!"
Examples:
- Where have you been?
- Where? In Karaganda!
- Where's my money?!
- Where? In Karaganda!
It's just a way for you to jokingly dodge a Where-question, without being too rude. The origin of the expression is blurry and in this day and age the catchphrase is not used very often (it's overabused), but still everybody knows it.
Needless to say, I started dreaming about visiting Karaganda the moment I discovered that it's so close to Astana. And now it's done! Unfortunately, it was a short trip, but I hope to return one day and continue the exploration of the legendary city.
This walk took place at the very center of Karaganda. I started near the Akimat of Karaganda Region, went through the Central Park and finished near the Miners' Palace of Culture. Witness me!
0:00 - Start of the walk. We are standing in front of the Akimat of Karaganda Region.
0:28 - A fountain. In the distance the Stele of Independence can be seen (we'll check it out a bit later). The fountain doesn't seem to be working at its maximum capacity, but the birds definitely enjoy it.
1:43 - Moving towards the Stele of Independence.
2:44 - The Stele stands on the Square of Independence. Kazakhstan became independent on 16 December 1991.
3:08 - A lot of interesting things on the other side of the road. We'll get there.
4:13 - Corner of Buqar-Jyrau Ave and Alikhanov St.
4:48 - Statue of Kazakh kids.
6:20 - Some abstract mosaic. It's about mining, I think. Many things in Karaganda are related to mining. That piece of ore under the mosaic is another example.
7:04 - A tablet stating that back in the day the building was occupied by Department of Geology.
7:26 - A nice mosaic celebrating proletariat. And another piece of ore. This one was mined at Nurkazgan.
7:49 - Cascade Fountains. Their "cascadeness" can't be seen from here, but have patience.
8:21 - Notice, how strong the wind is - the fountain jets are bended in the opposite direction in mid air.
9:07 - Another industrial mosaic.
9:20 - Regional Council of Trade Unions operated from this building in Soviet times.
9:43 - One more mosaic dedicated to the working class.
10:04 - That's why they are called Cascade Fountains.
10:16 - In 1934 Karaganda was declared a city.
11:32 - Nice view.
12:08 - Crossing Voinov-Internatsionalistov Street, entering the Central Park of Karaganda.
13:55 - A gift to Kazakh people from Korean population of the region.
15:03 - Avenue of the Shakhter football (soccer) club.
16:00 - Fountain Near the Lake.
18:40 - Central Park has three small lakes, and this is one of them.
24:23 - Ferris wheel.
25:07 - Statues of turtles.
25:43 - Statue of a dog standing on a pony?
25:48 - Statues of camels.
26:07 - Street piano.
26:22 - Statue of walrus.
26:37 - Giant umbrella.
26:48 - A place for tourists to make photos. Name of the city, decorated with the images of the most famous Karaganda attractions, and a couple of asyks.
27:24 - Statues of wolves.
27:53 - Monument to the unknown soldier.
28:15 - A strange alley. Maybe for those getting married?
28:44 - More statues of ponies.
29:00 - Statue of a pelican.
29:30 - Crossing Voinov-Internatsionalistov Street again. This time I was the one to push the button for summoning the green light.
30:52 - A camel statue/bench.
30:59 - A trumpet statue. This trumpet looks disturbing to me for some reason.
31:31 - An interesting statue, but hard to describe.
31:39 - Statue of a bird-shaped whistle or ocarina.
31:43 - Another camel bench.
32:18 - A building on the other side of the street with the statues on the roof is the Miners' Palace of Culture.
32:35 - "Miners' Glory" Monument, back view.
33:13 - Another look at the Miners' Palace of Culture.
33:31 - "Miners' Glory" Monument, front view.
33:49 - Crossing Buqar-Jyrau Ave via the underground passage.
34:20 - A mural on the wall of the underpass.
35:30 - Walking through the colonnade the Miners' Palace of Culture.
36:39 - Look at the flowers.
And now, my walk has ended...
The walk took place on 30 June 2024.
Walker: Evgeniy.
Kazakhstan playlist: • Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan playlist: • Kyrgyzstan
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