International Day of Human Space Flight is marked all around the world today. It was exactly 60 years ago, in April 1961, when a man first went into space from the Kazakh land. Despite the fact that to date more than 1,500 cosmonauts had travelled to space, Yuri Gagarin became the first earthling who paved the way into space for all humankind, and the Kazakh land became the birthplace of cosmonautics.
A unique international exhibition that opened in the Museum of the First President of Kazakhstan in Nur-Sultan was dedicated to this grandiose event. The exhibition was divided into three thematic sections. The first one allows visitors to go on a journey into the past of the Kazakh land, the place where the first human being went to space. Another section is dedicated to the history of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The third section tells about the history of cosmonautics and the heroism of the first Kazakh and world space conquerors.
“This exposition showcases exhibits that represent the history of the development of the Earth from the third or fourth millennium BC to the present day. So the visitors of our exhibition will be able to see step by step the humankind’s journey to the stars. I think that we will be able to convey to our viewers, to our visitors, the full meaning and history of today’s event,” said Bakytzhan Temirbolat, Director of the Library of the First President of Kazakhstan.
The exhibition makes it possible to really plunge into the holiday spirit. Its visitors can not only see, but also touch unique exhibits, including models of artificial Earth satellites, space suits of the first cosmonauts. In addition, the exhibition hall features video installations, paintings, books, photographs, exclusive coins and artefacts.
“A person who comes to the exhibition will first immerse himself into history, get acquainted with these archaeological finds and unique exhibits that are presented there. Then, gradually, in the second part, he will learn the history of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. And now we are in the hall with dome, in the most beautiful hall of our residence. The third part of the exhibition ‘Earth - the time of the first’ is presented here. It is dedicated to the history of cosmonautics and space exploration in Kazakhstan,” explained guide Zhanara Isperdinova
