In Astana, a recent change drew attention at the State Military History Museum of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. The wax statue of the nation’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was removed from public display. This development was reported by the news agency Tengrinews.
Official statements about the move have not been released. Journalists note that the Nazarbayev figure had been on view for six years. Previously shown seated at a table in one of the museum’s halls, the display has now been replaced by a wax figure representing Sagadat Nurmagambetov, a prominent Soviet and Kazakh military leader who served as Kazakhstan’s first Minister of Defense and who earned hero status in the Soviet Union.
The museum indicated that the Nazarbayev statue has been placed into storage where it will be kept by the foundation responsible for the collection.
In related cultural coverage, discussions around wax museums and celebrity replicas have risen again among fans and observers, with comparisons drawn to famous figures from international wax display houses such as Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, England. Some social media audiences have debated the differences between similar famous figures and local displays, reflecting broader interest in how nations portray leadership through wax sculpture.
Meanwhile, in the broader Kazakh political landscape, news has previously highlighted legal matters involving relatives of Nazarbayev, including a case where a nephew faced questions related to money laundering. This context underscores how public figures and their families often attract diverse attention across political, legal, and cultural spheres.