Almaty residents push to rename major street after late poet Mukhtar Shakhanov
Almaty Residents Launch Petition to Rename Rozybakiev Street After Poet and Statesman Mukhtar Shakhanov; City Hall Responds
Residents of Almaty have launched a petition proposing to rename Rozybakiev Street in honor of the poet and public figure Mukhtar Shakhanov, reports our correspondent.
What Happened
A petition has emerged online calling for the legacy of poet and statesman Mukhtar Shakhanov—who passed away on April 19, 2026—to be immortalized by naming a street after him. The initiative suggests renaming Rozybakiev Street in his honor.
The petition's authors argue that this would be a fitting tribute to a poet who lived and worked in the city.
"Choosing Rozybakiev Street—one of Almaty's longest thoroughfares, stretching about 7 kilometers through the Bostandyk and Almaly districts and passing key educational and public institutions—reflects Mukhtar Shakhanov's public significance," the petition states.
At the same time, the initiative proposes preserving the memory of Abdulla Rozybakiev by installing a memorial plaque or assigning his name to another landmark.
City Hall's Response
Bakyt Kalymbet, head of the Language Development and Onomastics Department under Almaty's Internal Policy Directorate, confirmed that authorities receive many similar proposals.
The official noted that honoring the poet's memory and promoting his legacy is a shared responsibility.
"The question of naming a street after Mukhtar Shakhanov will be submitted for review by the relevant government bodies and commissions in accordance with current legislation," Kalymbet said.
How the Process Works
Kalymbet explained that the initiative will first be presented to a specialized commission of the maslikhat (local council). If approved, the proposal will then require a positive ruling from the city's onomastic commission.
"Following a joint resolution by Almaty's akimat (city administration) and the maslikhat, the proposal will be sent to the Republican Onomastic Commission, which includes prominent scholars, government officials, and public figures. After review, the commission will issue its approval if the assessment is favorable," the official clarified.
Only after receiving national-level endorsement can the street be renamed.
Kalymbet also reminded the public of legal restrictions: Under Article 25-5 of the Law "On Languages in the Republic of Kazakhstan," naming landmarks after prominent figures is permitted no earlier than five years after their death.
Shakhanov passed away on April 19 at the age of 83. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information announced his death and expressed condolences in official statements on its social media accounts.
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