Strasbourg, February 2, 2026 – With the support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a photo exhibition dedicated to the devastating consequences of nuclear tests caused by nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site has been organized at one of Strasbourg’s leading international educational institutions, the Lycée International des Pontonniers.

As part of his project work, Kazakh student of the Lyceum, Amirkhan Tolybek, presented an exhibition to the students and faculty that zoom off visitors back to the 1950s and reveals the frightening secrets associated with nuclear testing.

“Behind the presented images lies the history of an entire nation, the Kazakh people, as well as the fates and tragedies of several generations of my compatriots. These images show the tragic consequences of more than 450 tests conducted over more than 40 years at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. Through these photographs, I would like to draw attention to the fact that the current generation should never encounter this deadly weapon, as the consequences of the tests cannot be eliminated quickly, and the 'echoes of the explosions' can be heard even in great-grandchildren", - A.Tolybek addressed the audience.

Through extensive presentation, students of the Lyceum had the opportunity to gain deeper insight into the history and catastrophic consequences of the emergence of nuclear weapons, as well as experienced the tragic and difficult fate of the Kurchatov city.

Exhibition visitors were informed about the “Nevada-Semey” movement in Kazakhstan, as well as the significance of the date of August 29 (the day of the first nuclear test in 1949 and the day the test site was closed by sovereign Kazakhstan in 1991) which by the decision of the United Nations, recognizing Kazakhstan’s contribution, is celebrated as the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

Presentation participants were also informed about one of the foreign policy priorities of independent Kazakhstan – its commitment to nuclear disarmament, including key international initiatives undertaken by a State that has voluntarily renounced the world's fourth-largest nuclear arsenal.

Founded in 1902, the Lycée International de Pontonnier is a part of the Strasbourg Academy and offers a baccalaureate program with international sections. Through wide range of programs and in-depth study of foreign languages, the Lyceum holds the Euroscol (a state quality mark awarded by the French Ministry of Education) awarded to educational institutions with a European and international focus.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-strasbourg/press/news/details/1152608?lang=kk