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Almaty has a new art installation celebrating an act of remarkable kindness by its residents. The unique sculpture, dedicated to the community's compassionate spirit, has been placed along the Big Almaty River channel, which flows into Sairan Lake.

A Symbol of Mutual Aid

The art object, which officially opened on March 22, was initiated by ForteBank. It is based on a true story of a dog rescue that gained significant attention and support.

The sculpture depicts a chain of people, representing mutual assistance and support. This powerful imagery stems from a real-life incident where citizens came together to save a dog.

Witness Accounts of the Rescue

The dramatic rescue occurred during a seemingly ordinary outing. Maryanna, who captured the rescue on video, shared her experience. "I can't recall the exact date," she said, "but I live in the 8th microdistrict and often walk there. On a weekend, my mother came from Karaganda to visit my son. On our way back from a walk, we saw a dog in the water."

She described how one young man immediately moved towards the dog, while others gathered. "I was filming, and my son shouted, 'Take a picture!' We were very worried about both the dog and the young man – the terrain was dangerous, and there was no safety equipment," she recalled.

The situation was tense not only for the dog but also for the rescuers. "The guys were amazing. They realized another hand was needed, and someone else joined in. They saved the dog! The emotions were overwhelming; my mother and I even teared up. I posted the video, and later journalists contacted me asking about the young men, but it seems they weren't identified at the time," the resident added.

Maryanna expressed that learning about the monument brought back strong emotions. "Now, with the monument's appearance, I've cried reading the comments – so many kind words were said about them. It's a reminder about kindness and the importance of helping and loving our little friends. In general, one must always remain human," she shared.

About the Art Object

According to ForteBank's press service, the bank initiated the installation of the monument at the site of the incident near Sairan Lake. The sculpture recreates the dramatic rescue moment. Notably, the final figure's hand extends beyond the barrier, allowing passersby to join the chain and become part of the act of solidarity.

"This story is about people who didn't walk by. It reminds us of our purpose: to help and support each other. We are glad that a symbol of this simple yet important gesture has appeared in the city – and anyone can become part of that chain. For us, this is not just a project, but something that reminds us of the value of human solidarity," the bank stated.

The artist behind the art object is Yerbolsyn Meldibekov, a renowned contemporary artist from Kazakhstan and Central Asia. His works are held in museums in Antwerp, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other cities.

Public Reaction

Initial announcements about the monument received widespread support from Almaty residents. Citizens enthusiastically backed the initiative.

Online comments included reactions like, "Very unexpected and wonderful!", "A monument to humanity," "There should be more such educational facilities in the city, so that children and teenagers, as well as adults, can look and learn kindness, empathy, and love!", "How wonderful!", "A model showing the strength of people in unity and support," and "Commemorating such moments makes the city feel like home."

The individuals involved in the original rescue remain unidentified.

It is recalled that in June 2016, Almaty residents conducted a rescue operation for a pet that had fallen into a reservoir. The video was published on the Instagram page "Klub Dobryakov Almaty." Almaty residents risked their well-being to save the animal. The footage shows several people holding hands to pull the dog out.