Astana's only wooden museum preserves traces of its past and "history"

Located in the old center of Astana, the museum consists of a single-story building made entirely of wood.

Built in 1846 as both a merchant's home and office as the Russian Empire expanded into Central Asia, the building changed hands during the process of confiscating the assets of the wealthy and eliminating private property in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

The building, which was used as the office of the "Izvestiya Newspaper" between 1920 and 1930, was turned into the Museum of Kazakh intellectual, writer and poet Saken Seyfullin by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1988.

It is no coincidence that the building, which has witnessed various historical periods, was transformed into the Saken Seyfullin Museum. Because, while working at the "Izvestiya Newspaper", Seyfullin wrote his articles in this building, drawing attention to various problems of the Kazakh people, especially their education.

While the museum keeps the name of the Kazakh intellectual Saken Seyfullin, who was executed during the USSR and whose grave is unknown, it also draws attention with its history that goes back to the Russian Empire, then the USSR and Kazakhstan's independence.

The museum, which attracts visitors with its 179-year history and being made entirely of wood, is on the list of specially protected monuments of Astana.

The museum, which consists of a total of 7 rooms, exhibits Saken Seyfullin's works written during his short 44-year life, as well as his documents, photographs, desk, bedroom and personal belongings.

The museum also organizes educational programs for school students from time to time.

Saken Seyfullin Museum Director Prof. Dr. Marat Absemetov told AA that the museum is important not only because it keeps Saken Seyfullin's name alive, but also because it preserves the traces of various historical periods in which the Kazakh people lived.

Recalling that the majority of the enlightened segment of Kazakh society was subjected to the political oppression policy of USSR leader Josef Stalin in the 1937-1938 period and executed, Absemetov said, "Saken Seyfullin was one of them. Seyfullin was executed on February 25, 1938. His last photograph, taken in the prison in Almaty before he was executed, is in our museum. His grave is unknown."