Today, August 23, 2025, a large-scale citywide cleanup event took place in Shymkent, organized as part of the national "Clean Kazakhstan" program. The event was attended by employees and heads of all institutions under the city's Department of Culture, Language Development, and Archives. The event became one of the largest environmental initiatives of the year, bringing together representatives from various fields—from library and museum staff to theater performers and student volunteers. The area around the Shymkent Opera and Ballet Theater was chosen as the central location for the cleanup.

The main goal of the cleanup day is not only to clean up the city and improve public spaces, but also to foster environmental awareness among citizens. Representatives from the city's Department of Culture, Language Development, and Archives noted that "Clean Kazakhstan" is not a one-time campaign, but a long-term initiative aimed at improving quality of life and fostering a caring attitude toward nature and the environment.

According to them, cleaning courtyards, squares, and parks becomes a symbol of concern for the future. Events like these help unite different generations: young people, older people, government employees, and ordinary citizens all work together.

Hundreds of participants gathered at pre-designated sites early in the morning. At the Shymkent Opera and Ballet Theater, the event began with welcoming remarks from the heads of cultural institutions, who emphasized the importance of this joint effort for the entire city. Afterward, the teams divided into groups and began cleaning the area.

Some collected trash, others whitewashed trees, and still others tended to the greenery. Theater actors, who usually perform on stage, were wielding rakes and shovels alongside everyone else on this day. The atmosphere was friendly and inspiring: people smiled, chatted, and worked together to accomplish their assigned tasks.

According to preliminary data, over 10,000 people took part in the cleanup day in Shymkent. Among them were employees of libraries, archives, museums, and art galleries, as well as schoolchildren and students. Many came with their entire families to spend some quality time together.

Particular attention was paid not only to the city's central streets but also to the outskirts. For the first time in recent years, the cleanup included hard-to-reach courtyards and pedestrian paths in residential areas. This marked an important step in the comprehensive improvement of the urban environment.

The cleanup participants shared their impressions. Aidana, a student at a local university, noted:
"This is my third time participating in such events. For me, it's a chance to show my love for my hometown. I want Shymkent to always remain clean and green."

Shymkent Opera and Ballet Theatre employee Yerlan said the theatre's staff always supports initiatives aimed at benefiting the city:
"We're used to performing for an audience, but today we had a different stage – the streets of our city. Working with the city's residents, we felt a real atmosphere of unity and solidarity."

Many participants emphasized that such events foster the habit of caring for cleanliness not only during cleanup days, but also in everyday life.

Shymkent already has extensive experience hosting such events. In 2024, for example, as part of the "Clean Kazakhstan" campaign, the city held large-scale cleanups, attracting over 15,000 participants. Several hundred tons of trash were removed from the streets and courtyards. In 2023, the focus was on greening, with over 20,000 trees and shrubs planted.

This year, the campaign took on a new scale. In addition to the increased number of participants, the geographic scope of the cleanup also expanded. While the focus had previously been on central districts, the program now includes the city's outskirts. This allowed us to reach dozens of new streets and courtyards that had previously been neglected.

City officials emphasized that environmental issues are a priority. The city's Department of Culture, Language Development, and Archives, together with other agencies, plans to continue the tradition of holding mass cleanups. Furthermore, the possibility of organizing regular events not only in the summer but also in the spring and fall is being considered.

The authorities also expressed gratitude to all residents who took the time and effort to participate in the campaign. They said it's the activism of ordinary citizens that makes the city cleaner and more comfortable.

The cleanup day in Shymkent became more than just a cleanup; it was a true celebration of unity. People of all walks of life and ages united for a common goal: to make their city cleaner. The event once again demonstrated that the future of environmental awareness depends not only on government programs but also on individual initiative.

The cleanup day not only helped clean up the streets and public spaces but also strengthened a sense of solidarity among city residents. This is an important step toward creating a sustainable and environmentally responsible society.

The citywide cleanup day in Shymkent on August 23, 2025, became a shining example of how joint efforts can lead to real change. Clean streets, renovated green spaces, and the satisfied faces of the participants—all this demonstrates that the Clean Kazakhstan program is achieving its goals.

Such initiatives will continue in the future. The organizers hope that more city residents, as well as private companies and entrepreneurs who can contribute to the city's improvement, will join them.

Thus, the cleanup day became an important event not only for the cultural sector but for the city as a whole. It reminded residents that cleanliness and order begin with each of us, and that caring for nature and the environment is the key to the health and well-being of future generations.