We are accustomed to think that all things made of concrete are of grey color. Such concrete slabs are used for construction of houses, bridges, fences… Until the recent time the fence of Ulba Metallurgical Plant was no different from its concrete fellows. Once upon a time this toneless grey fence had been hiding from outsiders’ eyes the “mailbox”, a secret plant working for the defense industry.

Nowadays, the activity of UMP as well as all other enterprises of atomic energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which are in the structure of the National Atomic Company “Kazatomprom”, is fully devoted to the peaceful purposes.

How should this story be told? Should it be told brightly, earnestly and simply? What is the way to tell people that the territory behind the grey fence is the territory of peace? According to Mr. M.E. Dzhakishev, the President of NAC “Kazatomprom”, children can do it best.

“Territory of Peace” – this is how they named the art contest among the children and grandchildren of Kazatomprom’s employees. All affiliated divisions of the Company hosted exhibitions of children’s pictures. More than a thousand young artists presented their creations this year. However there comes a question. What does the fence of Ulba Metallurgical Plant have to do with it? The answer is quite simple. Due to these kids the grey spot started shining with all the colors of the rainbow! The concrete slabs are blossoming with fabulous and bright plants, with butterflies and dragonflies flying by, with cartoon characters perking up on the fence. For the first time such action was performed two years ago. Then the kids from Ust-Kamenogorsk and Almaty had a chance to incarnate their art ideas on concrete canvas of UMP with special lasting paints. Ever since then everybody hurrying up for work and passing by the colored pictures goes by in an excellent mood.

This year the boundaries of “Territory of Peace” expanded to the limits of the whole country. Ust-Kamenogorsk received guests – children-winners from Almaty, Aktau, Stepnogorsk, south industrial communities Taukent, Shieli, Kyzymshek, where Kazatomprom’s enterprises are located. The action has been dated for the Day of Children Protection, and the double holiday has been awaiting the kids. The guests were accommodated in the heart of Mining Ulba – recreation center “Izumrudnyi” (“Emerald”). Their first bright impression was the marvelous nature of Eastern Kazakhstan. The panorama of the mountains, pine trees, spruces to the sky heights, tender wood flowers, fresh air… Every free minute the children were exploring the neighborhood tirelessly amused by how different is the landscape from the steppe, where the majority of the kids are from. There even was a short hike, but for those who were in the mountains for the first time the hike was a real adventure. Raging streams, cheerful eyes of chipmunks peeping out of high grass, wise silence of century-old trees. Was it the source if inspiration for the talented kids who were still to leave their art signatures on the fence of UMP?

On May 31 the guests met with children from Ust-Kamenogorsk at the south entry to the plant. Everything had already been ready for art: stages, paints, aprons, special stencils created by employees of children’s art school. The new technique of graffiti was easy and fun for kids.

… And later there were excursions to the Exhibition center of Ulba Metallurgical Plant, where guests had a chance to hold the goods made of beryllium and tantalum, to see the model of acting atomic station, and to get closer acquainted with the enterprise. Then the sightseeing of the city – the mystery of Strelka microdistrict, where two rivers meet, Ulba and Irtysh, the delicate beauty of the part named after S.M. Kirov, funny tricks of animals in the zoo…

And finally the main festivity! On June 1 guests and participants of “Territory of Peace” arrived to Ulba Plant. They were warmly greeted by President of NAC “Kazatomprom” Moukhtar Dzhakishev, General Director of “UMP” Nurlan Musin, officials of regional and municipal authorities.

Exciting moment: Moukhtar Dzhakishev and the youngest participant Katya Nadtochy open the cloth that hides the pictures of children. Perhaps it’s the supreme dream of any artist to have such a fame and exhibition that has so many visitors every day!

Kids who won the contest received from the President the honorable diplomas and valuable prizes. Moukhtar Dzhakishev like all participants was wearing a snow-white hat with logotype of “Territory of Peace”.

- We will try to bring our reality closer to this colorful world, which is shown to us by our children, - said M. Dzhakishev.

Of course the energy of atom is a great power, but those who could direct the children’s power to the course of art can also be proud by this great deed. We are drawing our worlds ourselves. And if it is possible to paint the grey concrete of an industrial enterprise, what could we tell about the rest? It only takes to look back and see what’s around us – it’s also the Territory of Peace…

Natalya Shimolina

(translated by A. Kutzhan).

See the pictures here