06/09/2025
In a quiet corner of Astana, this colourful mosaic watches over generations of students entering and exiting the school it decorates: School 16 Im T. Aybergenova. It's a relic of Soviet-era optimism, and tells the story of knowledge, ambition, and the promise for a bright future.
On the left side of the composition, a row of young children are depicted. Their faces blend together - each unique, yet part of something greater. The first girl carries a bouquet of flowers, a familiar tribute to teachers symbolizing respect and the passing of knowledge. Toward the center, flowing lines and abstract shapes create a sense of momentum. The faces of determined adults emerge, their gazes fixed firmly on the future. Do we see a pilot and a cosmonaut? Either way, the composition conveys movement, as if it's pushing forward into an era of discovery and transformation. It represents a true evolution from child to Soviet pioneer.
On the right, I imagine stylized wings of a bird, almost mechanical in form. Perhaps it spreads its wings - representing wisdom, innovation, or the boundless potential of the next generation.
Though the Soviet Union is gone, the mosaic remains, still greeting students each morning. Stripped of its ideological origins, it stands as a timeless reminder that education has always been a force that shapes the future.
📍 Location: Astana, Kazakhstan
🌐 Coordinates: 51°09'57.5"N 71°27'20.6"E
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