In Almaty, the cinemas from the Soviet era, for those that still exist, are time capsules, loaded with history, art and collective memories. Among these monuments, two cinemas stand out: the Arman cinema, a cultural symbol since the 60s, and the Tselinny cinema, now undergoing transformation to become a contemporary art center. Their rich and intriguing history illustrates the fusion between local heritage and modernity.
The Arman cinema: a living legend
Inaugurated in 1968, the Arman cinema is a jewel of modern Soviet architecture. Located in the heart of Almaty, it was designed to meet the city's growing cultural needs and to offer residents access to major Soviet and international films.
With a capacity of several hundred seats, Arman was not just a simple cinema: it was a gathering point for the community. The building, in its brutalist style, embodies the ideals of simplicity and functionality characteristic of the era.
The side facades of the cinema are adorned with sculptural bas-reliefs created by artist V. I. Konstantinov, representing emblematic figures of Kazakh culture, such as Amangeldy, the Motherland, soldiers, a group of cosmonauts and a woman harvesting crops.
A bas-relief rediscovered after decades of oblivion
Inside the cinema, a major work awaited spectators: a monumental bas-relief created in 1968 by Viktor Konstantinov, a renowned Soviet artist. This masterpiece, made for the cinema's opening, represented an abstract scene mixing elements of Kazakh culture and symbolic motifs, embodying both the Soviet spirit and local identity.
However, over the decades, during renovations in the 90s and 2000s, the bas-relief was covered and forgotten. It was only in 2017, thanks to the meticulous research of cinema director Erlan Aukenov, that the work was rediscovered. Aukenov was intrigued by an old promotional video from the cinema's inauguration, which clearly showed the bas-relief in the main hall. He decided to conduct excavations inside the building, and after meticulous work, the work was brought to light, intact.
Today, Viktor Konstantinov's bas-relief is displayed in the cinema's hall, accessible to the public. This rediscovery has become a symbol of cultural preservation in Almaty, reminding us that art and history, even when hidden, can always be found.
The Tselinny cinema: rebirth
Built in 1964, the Tselinny cinema is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the city. Its name, which means "virgin", refers to the virgin lands campaign, a major project of the Soviet era.
The building, impressive in its proportions and capacity, was an unmissable place for cinema lovers in Almaty. But what made it truly unique was its sgraffito fresco, a masterful work created by Evgeny Sidorkine. This fresco adorned the interior walls of the building, illustrating scenes inspired by Kazakh legends, with complex motifs and remarkable technical mastery.
The rediscovery of the sgraffito fresco
After the cinema closed in 2014, the fresco was considered lost, covered by layers of plaster and paint during renovations. It was only in 2018, during work to transform the building into a contemporary art center, that the fresco was rediscovered. This sgraffito technique, rare and sophisticated, consists of scratching several layers of colored plaster to create relief patterns. Sidorkine's fresco, with its dynamic lines and timeless aesthetics, is now one of the central elements of Tselinny's renaissance.
The Tselinny Center, whose development is almost complete, should open its doors very soon.