A unique high-altitude mural in Almaty marks the UN’s 80th anniversary

Today, at an elevation of 3,200 meters in Shymbulak, a large-scale mural by Adil Aubekerov was unveiled to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The monumental painting, measuring 36 × 6 meters, was created at the initiative of Living Atmosphere with the support of Bank CenterCredit, in partnership with the Shymbulak resort and the UN Office in Kazakhstan. It has become a landmark event in the city’s cultural agenda and the UN80 anniversary programme.

Opening the ceremony, Vlastimil Samek, Representative of the UN Department of Global Communications, noted: “This mural was not commissioned by the United Nations — it was born from the community itself, from the initiative of the private sector and the support of local partners. And that is the true meaning of the Sustainable Development Goals. Here in Shymbulak, it reminds us that art can speak where words no longer work. And it calls on each of us to build a world where innovation serves people, nature is protected, and no one is left behind.”

The presentation brought together representatives of public organizations, cultural and academic communities, diplomatic corps, and media. Guests were introduced to the concept and history of the project, after which resort specialists led an orientation tour, highlighting the particular features of the location and the technical solutions required to implement the work in high-altitude conditions.

“We want Shymbulak to become a point of attraction — not only for athletes, but also for the creative community, for the social scene, for those who shape the mood, culture, and style of our time. Shymbulak is our heritage, and we want it to live, grow, inspire, and bring people together,” said Nurlan Seitkazin, Managing Director of Shymbulak Development.

“The concept of the mural draws on the visual and intangible heritage of nomads, translating its symbolic language into a contemporary artistic form. Each fragment carries its own memory. By bringing them together, I speak about what makes us a community — respect for nature, for neighbours, for peace. For me, this mural is a mosaic of values that the UN has upheld for 80 years, and the gaze of a nomad turned toward tomorrow,” emphasized artist Adil Aubekerov.

This is the first and largest high-altitude mural in the world dedicated to the United Nations, created in the year of the Organization’s 80th anniversary. While many major art projects worldwide have addressed the UN over the decades, this work stands out for its powerful visual representation of the UN mandate and the Sustainable Development Goals, rendered through the symbols of Kazakh nomadic culture.

“We believe in a new era of patronage: supporting art is as natural as taking care of one’s home,” says Laura Adamova, founder of Living Atmosphere. “Our company creates furniture solutions for a new time — we choose longevity over disposability, meaning over noise. In this sense, we speak the same language as the artist: we shape spaces that feel good to live in and that one would want to pass down to future generations. That’s why Adil’s mural for us is not just a high-mountain painting, and certainly not a PR move, but a statement piece — a legacy that looks to the sky and stands firmly on its values.”

Aubekerov’s artistic language combines a deep attention to traditional visual systems with an interest in biology and animalism: from Paleolithic petroglyphs and the “animal style” to contemporary urban graphics. Line and colour function as an interweaving of worlds and ecosystems in which humanity and nature are in balance, while an improvisational approach, akin to the spirit of ‘aitys’, gives the composition an inner dynamism. In the UN’s 80th anniversary year, the Shymbulak mural resonates as a visual manifesto of shared responsibility — a meeting point of art, nature and society for a conversation about peace, human dignity and our duty to future generations.

The UN80 mural is the largest high-altitude art installation dedicated to the United Nations: it spans 216 m² with dimensions of 36 × 6 m. Delivered in high-mountain conditions, the project faced inherent challenges such as sharp temperature fluctuations, thin air, wind loads, and complex logistics for materials and crews. These factors required bespoke technical solutions and meticulous planning. As a result, the structure simultaneously performs a protective function and serves as a large-scale artistic landmark visible to every visitor to the resort.