Presidents Tokayev, Zhaparov Visit Historic School Renamed for Kazakh Leader’s Father

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov visited School-Gymnasium No. 33 in Bishkek, which was recently renamed after Kemel Tokayev, the late father of the Kazakh leader and a well-known writer and public figure.

The renaming of the school pays tribute not only to Kemel Tokayev’s literary and public legacy but also to the building’s historical roots, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

During the Great Patriotic War, the school served as the site of the Frunze Military Infantry School, from which Kemel Tokayev was conscripted to the front.

The initiative to name the institution in his honor was proposed by President Zhaparov in May 2025, as a gesture of friendship and shared history between the two nations.

During the visit, President Tokayev engaged in warm conversations with students and educators, highlighting the importance of education, historical memory, and cultural ties. Both leaders praised the school’s role in fostering academic excellence and strengthening the bonds between Kazakh and Kyrgyz youth.

Earlier in the day, the two presidents took part in the official unveiling of the Golden Bridge of Friendship monument on the Alley of Friendship in Bishkek. The monument stands as a powerful symbol of the enduring and expanding partnership between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, reflecting their mutual commitment to regional cooperation, peace, and shared values.