The Presidential Center of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan has opened the retrospective exhibition "N. Imamov: 100 Years. 100 Moments", marking the 100th anniversary of renowned Kazakh photojournalist, local historian and chronicler of the capital Nurmukhamat Imamov, DKNews.kz reports.
The exhibition is presented as part of the "Cultural Code of Independence" project and showcases rare archival photographs documenting the transformation of Kazakhstan's capital over several decades.
100 photographs tell the story of the capital
Organized by the Presidential Center with the support of the Association "Center for Urban Tourism Development," the Astana Guides Club and the Kazakhstan Railway Museum, the exhibition aims to preserve the city's historical and cultural heritage through Imamov's photographic legacy.
More than 100 guests attended the opening ceremony, including representatives of government institutions, museums, archives, academia, the creative community, journalists, local historians and members of the photographer's family.
Presidential Center highlights historical value of the archive
Opening the exhibition, Botagoz Kaipova, Deputy Director of the Presidential Center, emphasized the significance of Imamov's work for preserving Kazakhstan's history.
«The title of the exhibition - '100 Moments' - speaks for itself. These carefully preserved moments form a remarkable panorama of the twentieth century. Every photograph presented here is a document of exceptional artistic and historical value. It is a great honor for the Presidential Center to open this exhibition, thereby contributing to the preservation of Kazakhstan's cultural and historical heritage and promoting the names of those who wrote the chronicle of our independence. Through the photographer's lens, visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the past, see the people and events that shaped the city's identity, and follow its remarkable transformation into one of the world's fastest-growing and most beautiful capitals. Today, Astana has become an international center for diplomacy, culture, and dialogue among civilizations.»
A visual journey through Astana's transformation
The exhibition presents 100 unique archival photographs capturing the evolution of Tselinograd, Akmola and modern-day Astana.
Visitors can explore how the city changed over time through images documenting:
- Historic architecture
- Everyday life
- Public events
- Urban development
- Prominent residents
Historical photographs are paired with contemporary images, creating a visual dialogue between past and present while illustrating the continuity of Kazakhstan's development.
Four sections explore history and heritage
The exhibition is divided into four thematic sections dedicated to:
- Nurmukhamat Imamov's life and legacy
- Historic Tselinograd and Akmola
- Outstanding residents of the capital
- Modern Astana and the younger generation as symbols of Kazakhstan's future
Preserving the memory of the capital
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kanat Alin stressed the importance of preserving Imamov's legacy.
«First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers for their noble initiative to preserve the memory of the outstanding photojournalist, local historian, and chronicler of the capital, Nurmukhamat Imamov. The photographs presented here are far more than archival images - they are priceless testimonies of their time, reflecting the lives of people, the most significant historical events, and the development of our city. Astana's residents must know and appreciate this history, as it was people of different generations who shaped the appearance of the capital. Today, continuing the tradition of creation, the capital's entrepreneurs are also making their contribution to the city's development. I am confident that the anniversary exhibition '100 Moments' will become an important event in Kazakhstan's cultural life and help preserve our unique historical heritage for future generations.»
Local historian Dmitry Glukhikh also highlighted the enduring importance of Imamov's work.
«Nurmukhamat Imamov was not born on this land, yet he loved it wholeheartedly and devoted his life to preserving its history. He never sought fame or public recognition. He simply picked up a camera and documented the streets, the people, and the defining events of his time. Thanks to his photographs, we can now see the past of our capital, recognize the people who shaped its history, and feel the connection between generations. History cannot be divided into separate fragments - it is one continuous story. That is why preserving the legacy of people like Nurmukhamat Imamov is so important for future generations. I sincerely thank the Imamov family and the Presidential Center for organizing this remarkable exhibition, which helps preserve our historical memory and fosters respect for our country's past.»
A legacy spanning more than four decades
Nurmukhamat Imamov was a veteran of the Great Patriotic War who served as a gunner-radio operator aboard a Pe-2 dive bomber.
After the war, he worked as a stage designer and radio technician before dedicating his life to photography. For more than 40 years, he worked as a photojournalist for Akmola Pravda and other publications, creating an invaluable visual chronicle of the capital's development.
Today, his son Rinat Imamov continues preserving and digitizing the family's archive, which contains thousands of photographs documenting the city's history.
The exhibition will remain open until August 24, 2026.
Why it matters
Photographs preserve moments that written history often cannot capture. By presenting Nurmukhamat Imamov's archive to the public, the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness the transformation of Kazakhstan's capital through the eyes of one photographer whose work became an enduring visual record of the nation's history.
