Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture
Some buildings go beyond function, becoming part of the city’s life and memory. The Tselinny Movie Theater in Almaty is one of them. Its walls remember the buzz of film premieres, but today the space hosts installations, performances, and the voices of a new generation. It’s a place where the past has become the foundation for the future.
How Tselinny is Bringing Almaty’s Cultural Past Back to Life
The Tselinny Movie Theater opened in 1964. With more than 1,500 seats and a massive screen, it was one of the most advanced movie theaters in the USSR.
In the 2000s, the building was modernized. The grand hall was split into two smaller ones, and a second floor was added, hiding the sgraffito by Soviet artist Yevgeny Sidorkin. The charm faded, and the audience drifted away.
Then in 2016, the building found a new lease on life. It was purchased with an ambitious idea to not just to restore it, but to transform it into a contemporary cultural center. The redesign was led by an international team under British architect Asif Khan, known for his work on the Pyeongchang Olympics and Dubai Expo. The original brutalist façade was enveloped in a sleek white concrete extension, and a wave-like lattice added a sense of lightness and motion.
Today, Tselinny stands as a striking example of how Soviet architecture can be reborn without losing its past. Even the once-hidden Sidorkin sgraffito in the foyer has been carefully preserved.
What to See at Tselinny
Here’s what awaits inside:
- Exhibition halls. Instead of quiet paintings on white walls, you’ll find installations, performances, and immersive exhibits. Art here is multisensory: you can see, hear, and even smell it.
- Talks and discussions. The space regularly hosts live lectures, artist talks, and open conversations about the future of art, the city, and humanity itself.
- Bookstore and media library. Browse through publications on contemporary culture, rare books, magazines, and posters by Kazakhstani artists.
- Studios and workshops. This is where new projects take shape. If you’re lucky, you might catch artists at work or even be invited to peek inside.
- Public garden. A green open-air space designed for summer film screenings, music performances, and outdoor installations.
- Movie theater. Opening in October, it will feature Soviet films, returning Tselinny to its cinematic roots.
The First Major Event – Barsakelmes
Tselinny’s rebirth began with its first art season, Barsakelmes (“the place from which no one returns”) is named after one of the islands in the Aral Sea. The exhibition explores themes of ecology, memory, and Central Asian mythology. At its center stands a vast installation made of colored felt, surrounded by landscapes of sand, salt, shadow, and wind. Barsakelmes isn’t just an exhibition, it’s a living performance that blends music, theater, video, and avant-garde art into one immersive experience.
Opening hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
The performance schedule is available on the Tselinny website.
How to get there?
Address: Masanchi Street, 59
The easiest way to reach Tselinny is to take a bus to the Shevchenko stop. Routes #18, 25, 209, 210, or 224 will get you there. From the stop, it’s about a 400-meter (0.25-mile) walk through A. Baitursynov Square straight to the center.
Other tourist attractions near Tselinny:
- St. Nicholas Cathedral
- Akhmet Baitursynov Square
- Korean Theater of Musical Comedy
- Karagaily Park
Recommended tours:
All offers-1_420x650_4ab.jpg "Almaty Highlights: City Tour")
Embark on a captivating 3-hour tour where you'll explore Almaty's prominent attractions. Visit the Museum of Almaty, marvel at the exquisite Ascension Cathedral, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of trade at the Green Bazaar.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "Almaty Highlights: Mountain Tour")
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking mountain landscapes just a stone's throw away from the center of Almaty! Explore the awe-inspiring wonders nestled in the Ile-Alatau Mountains and ascend to an elevation of 2260 meters above sea level.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "Ultimate Almaty Day Tour")
A fantastic option for a day-long adventure that involves discovering Almaty's most fascinating landmarks. This excursion allows you to explore the best attractions of Almaty and also takes you to an elevation of 2260 meters above sea level, providing a delightful experience amidst the breathtaking mountain landscapes.