In the latest move to get distance itself from Russian dominance, Kazakhstan has renamed a town in the region around Astana, the capital, after Kenesary Khan, who led the largest uprising against Russia's colonial troops in Kazakhstan in the 19th century before he was killed in 1847. The decision to change the name of the town of Derzhavinsk, which is derived from the Russian word "derzhava," meaning a power state or empire, to Kenesary was made at a town hall gathering of residents on June 20. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakhstan Renames Town After Last Khan Who Fought Against Russian Empire
Spring cleaning in Derzhavinsk/Kenesary.