A MONUMENT TO SHAKHMARDAN YESSENOV TO BE UNVEILED IN 2027

“In two years, Kazakhstan will widely celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the birth of the prominent scientist and statesman, my grandfather, Shakhmardan Yessenov. In this regard, together with the leadership of the Yessenov Foundation and the relatives of the renowned geologist, we have decided to invite the best architects and sculptors to implement the monument project,” stated Galimzhan Yessenov, a descendant of Sh. Yessenov.

The preparatory stage of the project is already underway.

“The Foundation will undertake the design, funding, and installation of the monument, as well as the creation of a well-organized public space around it. We spent a long time deciding on the most appropriate location and concluded that it must be a region closely connected to our ancestor’s work – Mangystau – and the university in Aktau named after him,” said Maksutbek Yessenov, the son of the great scientist and outstanding statesman, who was present at the signing of the document.

Berik Akhmetov, President of Yessenov University, who represented the university at the signing ceremony, expressed strong interest in the proposed project.

“Today, in collaboration with the Yessenov Foundation, we have launched a unique project that will result in the unveiling of a monument on our university grounds. This art object will become a symbolic ‘place of power’ for future generations. I sincerely believe that as our students pass by the monument, they will absorb the spirit and energy of Shakhmardan Yessenov – a man who dedicated his life to the advancement of science and the nation. May this symbol inspire them to become strong individuals capable of making a real contribution to Kazakhstan’s development,” said Berik Akhmetov.

The architects commissioned by the Foundation for the project are Asel Yeszhanova and Chingiz Batyrbekov, both of whom have long-established and distinguished reputations in their field. They are currently finalizing the monument’s design. Asel has been featured in the Royal Institute of British Architects’ book 100 Women Architects in Practice and is also a co-founder of Urban Forum Kazakhstan. After completing two master’s degrees in Italy, Chingiz returned to Almaty where he became the Director of the DStudio architecture bureau. The concept will be brought to life by sculptor Meiram Baimukhanov.

“One of the core concepts of the monument implemented in the project is the path of water as the path of life. The river symbolizes the life journey of Shakhmardan Yessenov, who was born on the banks of the Syr Darya. Just as rivers play a vital role in the history of a people, so did the outstanding geologist play a significant role in the history of Kazakhstan,” said Asel Yeszhanova.

“We drew inspiration from the landscapes of Mangystau to shape the monument’s plasticity. In the project’s design, we are also using an allusion to drill pipes – the very tool used by expeditions led by the scientist to discover deposits of oil, gas, copper, and other minerals,” added Chingiz Batyrbekov.

The Yessenov memorial complex is planned to be located to the right of the university’s main entrance axis. It will be a public space characterized by a complex composition and an immersive experience for visitors. The monument is expected to become one of the key attractions on the university grounds, where students will enjoy spending their time.

Shakhmardan Yessenov, an outstanding Kazakh geologist, prominent scientist, and statesman, was born in 1927 in the village of Shieli, in the Kyzylorda region. In 1949, he graduated from the Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Institute (now Satbayev University). Due to Yessenov’s direct involvement, numerous mineral deposits were discovered, including uranium ore deposits in Southern and Central Kazakhstan, phosphorites in Southern Kazakhstan, copper, lead, and zinc deposits in Central Kazakhstan, as well as oil and gas fields including the Uzen and Zhetybai fields among others in Mangyshlak. In 1961, he became the Minister of Geology of Kazakhstan, and in 1965, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Republic’s Council of Ministers. In 1967, he was elected President of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR and Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Academy. In the early 1960s, Shakhmardan Yessenov managed to successfully persuade the USSR leadership that transferring the Mangyshlak region to another Soviet republic was inexpedient, thereby ensuring the peninsula remained part of Kazakhstan.

The Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation was established in 2013. Its founder is Galimzhan Yessenov, a Kazakhstani businessman and philanthropist. The Foundation’s mission is to develop Kazakhstan’s intellectual potential. This mission is carried out through a series of competitive grant programs, including research internships in world laboratories, the Yessenov Scholarship, Yessenov Data Lab, and others. To date, about 2,700 young talented scientists and working professionals across the country have benefited from the Foundation’s support.