Astana’s mall cleanup looks like an Egyptian fresco

Why a snow cleanup in Astana went viral / Photo: Instagram.com/astana_typical/, photo editor: Serikzhan Kovlanbayev

A video from snow-covered Astana, one of the coldest capital cities in the world, has gone viral on social media.

The clip, shared in a local online community, shows the roof of the Mega Silk Way shopping mall, where dozens of workers are manually clearing snow using sleds. The footage highlights the scale and coordination of the operation as workers move in synchronized lines across the massive rooftop.

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Публикация от Astana / Астана (@astana_typical)

Social media users quickly took notice, comparing the scene to the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt. Many commented that what would normally be routine snow removal looked more like a historical reenactment than modern maintenance work.

Mega Silk Way is one of Kazakhstan’s largest shopping centers, covering more than 1.5 million square feet. Clearing snow from a roof of that size requires a significant workforce and careful coordination. Without regular removal, accumulated snow can freeze and pose a serious safety risk to visitors below.