Monumental cultural and artistic composition "Kerey and Zhanibek" is located in the center of Astana, in the square in front of the Museum of the First President. The monument of founders of the Kazakh Khanate Kerey and Zhanibek was opened on June 2010.
President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev attended at opening ceremony and said: "Today we are opening the monument for two great personalities, who built the Kazakh state... Today, as a sign of our deep appreciation and gratitude towards them, we open this monument. Symbolic place is chosen for it - here on December 1997, the heart of the new capital beats, independent Kazakhstan. I congratulate all of you with opening a new landmark monument and wish you success, peace and prosperity for Kazakhstan families".
Monument brings us back to the events, which were five hundred years ago. The Kazakh Khanate was created under Kerey and Zhanibek in the second half of the XV century. They moved from the Abylhayir Khanate to Mogol king Esen-Buga. Progress of creation of the Kazakh Khanate was closely associated with the internal political status of the Abylhayir and Mogolstan states, which fell into disrepair in the second half of the XV century. Zhanibek and Kerey used this moment and refused to Abylhayir Khan. After which they joined to Mogolstan. In 1462, Khan of Mogolstan died, and it strengthened the position of Zhanibek and Kerey in Semirechie. According to the dating of Muhammad Haydar Dulati, the formation of the Kazakh Khanate was in 1465-1466. After the death of Abylhayir Khan Zhanibek and Kerey returned to the Uzbek ulus and seized the supreme power. New state was called - the Kazakh Khanate.
Compositional monument consists of two figures with complex shapes that located on the pedestal. Images of two Khans symbolize the triumph of freedom, the birth of the new khanate and beginning of new life. Kerey, as a first Kazakh khan, was depicted sitting on the saddle, which just removed from the Khan's horse. Courage, pride and strength embodies Zhanibek Khan. Composition also combines sculptural element in the form of banner towering up in the hands of the great khans.
The total height of the monument, from the base to the crown of the flag, is 12 meters, the height of the figure of Zhanibek khan - 5.25 meters, the splint - 5,45m. The height of the seated figure of Kerey Khan is 4 meters.
All elements of the composition are made together in a unified form of pure bronze. The total weight of the monument is 16.2 tons. The author of the monument is a Kazakhstan sculptor - Renat Abenov.
The idea of establishing a monument Kerey and Zhanibek belongs to the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.