Qonaqtar of the Atomic Steppe

The exhibition Qonaqtar includes archival footage from the anti-nuclear movement Nevada-Semipalatinsk, a reminder of the historical and ecological traces left on the steppe by the largely hidden Soviet nuclear tests. The movement began in 1989 as a local initiative which quickly transformed into a powerful wave of transnational solidarity. Its very name connects Semey to Nevada, signaling an alliance with Indigenous lands in America and highlighting how nuclear testing has historically targeted Indigenous territories worldwide.

The program will open with a talk by Dr. Togzhan Kassenova, author of the award-winning book Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb (Stanford University Press, 2022).  The struggle against Soviet nuclear tests is full of deeply human stories—of doctors, journalists, activists, and people of different ages and backgrounds who came from afar to help. Through these stories, Kassenova will speak to the central question of the exhibition: who arrives, invited or uninvited, and what do they bring with them? Some people came as agents of violence and extraction, while others arrived in solidarity with communities they had never met before.

The lecture will be followed by reflections on the topic by Almagul Menlibayeva, whose profound work Kurchatov 22 (2013) was previously featured in her solo show I Understand Everything at the Almaty Museum of Arts. The täuelxsiz collective will share a video created in reaction to Kassenova’s book. The evening will conclude with a panel discussion about solidarity and the role of artists, poets, and broader society within the movement. The event will be moderated by Zarina Akhmatova.

The Qonaqtar public program is a series of events held in conjunction with the museum’s inaugural exhibition, Qonaqtar: An Exhibition from the Collection of the Almaty Museum of Arts. This series was conceived to offer a deeper look into the central themes and specific artworks within the collection. Following previous sessions that focused on the traditions of hospitality, the politics of food, and diaspora, the program continues to explore the diverse narratives shaped by the region’s complex history.

The event is co-organized and supported by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Central Asia.

The event takes place in Russian and Kazakh.

Participation is free upon registration.

Program:

19:00 - 19:05 – Welcome

19:05 - 19:35 – Lecture “Qonaqtar of the Atomic Steppe: the transnational solidarity of the Nevada-Semipalatinsk anti-nuclear movement”

Dr. Togzhan Kassenova

19:35 - 19:50 — täuelxsiz video screening

19:35 - 19:50 – Panel Discussion: Dr. Togzhan Kassenova, Almagul Menlibayeva, Shakerbanu Myrzakhanova, Ruslan Zhubanysh

Video clip about Bolatbek Baltabek (4-5 minutes)

Moderated by: Zarina Akhmatova

20:30 - 21:00 – Q&A

Participants and Biographies:

Dr. Togzhan Kassenova – a native of Almaty, is an international expert on nuclear politics. She is the author of the award-winning book Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb (Stanford University Press).

Shakerbanu Myrzakhanova – Shakerbanu Myrzakhanova is an anti-nuclear activist and Board Member of the Committee Polygon 21 Public Association based in Semey.

Almagul Menlibayeva – a contemporary artist working across video, photography, and installation. The artist often addresses the role of women and identity, ecology, and neo-colonialism. She also weaves in indigenous cosmologies and mythologies, providing a nuanced perspective on the region’s evolving identity.

Ruslan Zhubanysh – Ruslan Jubanysh is an artist, producer, and journalist working across poetry, performance, video, and documentary practices. He is the founder of the interdisciplinary project täuelxsız, which explores themes of memory, ecological justice, and social issues.