Baiterek is the symbol of Astana.To the western guests of Kazakhstan he reminds a huge "Chupa-Chups", majestically towering above new buildings of the capital. However, in reality, the symbolism of a grandiose building is much more complicated and interesting ...
In 1997, a decision was made to transferthe capital of Kazakhstan from Almaty to Akmola. The official transfer procedure took place the next year, and Akmola itself changed its name - henceforth the main city of Kazakhstan should be called Astana, which in Kazakh means "capital". The initiator of all these perturbations was the first president of the republic Nursultan Nazarbayev.
As an experienced politician, Nazarbayev understood that oneOnly the capital status of Astana can not be turned into the main city of the republic. We need infrastructure, we need a new urban mythology, we need places of interest that will be magnetized to the capital of tourists.
Then the idea arose to erect a monument in Baiterek in Astana.
Why does Baiterek in Astana (Kazakhstan) look like this?
It turns out that Baiterek is sculpturalthe embodiment of the world view of ancient Kazakhs. They imagined the universe in this way: somewhere between the worlds a river flows, on the shore of which a wonderful tree of life called Baiterek grows. The roots of this tree keep the underground world in balance, the trunk is located in the world of people and animals, and the crown goes into the heavenly world. Thus, the Baiterek tree is a kind of axis of the universe. By the way, similar worldviews were among the Vikings who worshiped the magical ash Yggdrasil.
Every year a magic bird flies to BaiterekSamruk. Somewhere among the branches, she lays a golden egg, which later turns into the sun. And all would be well, if at the foot of Bayterek did not live the evil dragon Aidekhar. From time to time he manages to steal an egg, but the bird Samruk always brings it back. By this myth, the ancient steppe people explained the alternation of day and night, summer and winter, as well as life and death.
The myth of Baiterek is very important for a world outlookKazakhs. We can say that it is the basis of a new national idea. It is not accidental that there are about a dozen auls with this name in the country. In addition, the proud name "Baiterek" is one of the main socio-political magazines in Kazakhstan, as well as the Astana football club. "Baiterek" is also the project of a rocket and space complex created jointly with Russia.
So do not be surprised that the myth of BaiterekIt was also the basis for the project of the famous Kazakh architect Akmurza Rustembekov. Construction under his leadership lasted five years, in 2003 the new symbol of Astana Baiterek received the first visitors.
Creators Bayterek Astana managed to combineancient mythological subjects with modern political background. For example, the height of the structure without the ball is 97 meters, and this is not an accident - it was in 1997 that Astana became the capital. By the way, at an altitude of 97 meters you can see a special memorable sign in the form of an imprint of the hand of Nursultan Nazarbayev. The inhabitants of the capital state that if you make a wish by putting your hand into this impression, then it will come true, and very quickly. By the way, the height of the entire structure is 105 meters.
There is also another symbolic one in Baitereka globe, divided into 17 parts, each of which is signed by a representative of some religion. So the creators of the monument once again call upon humanity to live in peace and harmony, to avoid discord on religious grounds.
If a person is not very interested in history andall Baiterek's symbolism does not touch him very much, the main attraction of Astana will find it anyway, than to please him. On the territory of the complex is a large number of first-class cafes and restaurants, on the last tier there is an observation deck, there is a wonderful oceanarium. Directly inside the ball, which is surmounted by Baiterek, there is a bar.
In the near future, moremore, because in the summer of 2017 Baiterek of Astana again began to receive guests after an impressive reconstruction. Given the steady interest of Western tourists to Kazakhstan, there should be no shortage of guests.
The inhabitants of Barcelona say that the world will perish when,when the Cathedral of the Holy Family is completed. Astana, on the contrary, assures that nothing will happen to the world and Kazakhstan while Baiterek is standing. The sight, which in 2017 was just 20 years old, managed to become a favorite and recognizable symbol of the republic, adorning an unimaginable number of postcards, magnets and notebooks.
It got to the point that they wanted to buy BaiterekTo get and inhabitants of many other settlements. Their Baitereks now stand in Ust-Kamenogorsk and Ekibastuz, as well as in the villages of Aksuat and Novoishimskoye. A miniature copy of the monument is in the modest city of Karkaralinsk.
Perhaps this is the best proof of the popularity and importance of Baiterek. After all, nobody will copy the unloved symbol.
