Karganda's origins in the 1930s

Karganda was built from scratch starting in 1934 by architect and urban planner Alexandre Ivanovitch Kouznetsov. This was part of a broader trend in the Soviet Union to create new cities as part of large-scale construction projects aimed at industrialization and modernization.

Soviet mosaics in public spaces

Like many Soviet cities, Karganda features Soviet mosaics on the facades of civil and state buildings. These mosaics were used to promote ideological messages and celebrate the achievements of the Soviet state through visual art.

Urban layers of Central Asia

The mosaics are now part of the urban palimpsest of Central Asia, which includes old cities, monumental construction sites, new districts, buildings from the Brezhnev era, and modern presidential aspirations. This mix of architectural styles and periods creates a complex urban landscape.

Controversy and reflection

The presence of Soviet mosaics in public spaces raises questions or causes discomfort, as they materialize the Soviet heritage in a region that has undergone significant political and cultural changes. These mosaics serve as a reminder of the past, prompting reflection on identity and history.

Photographer and source

The photographs of these mosaics were credited to Mathilde Ramkissoon, a French photographer known on Instagram under the handle @sovietblocs. Her work often focuses on Soviet-era architecture and its legacy in post-Soviet countries.