After the collapse of the USSR, thousands of streets in Kazakhstan were renamed after Kazakh cultural figures. Years passed. People know the addresses, but not the stories of the people behind those names.
Problem
To tell people about the cultural figures behind the street names they see every day using Yandex Search
Solution
We taught the Yandex Search smart camera to recognize street signs. When people pointed the camera at a sign, Yandex Search instantly showed information about the cultural figure the street was named after. For six of them, we created special podcasts where they told their own life stories. We recreated their voices using AI and archival recordings. We launched the project through a manifesto film, radio, streaming platforms, outdoor advertising featuring portraits recreated from archival photos, a dedicated website, and bus announcements voiced by the historical figures.
Results
Results Yandex Search queries: +19.45% Views: 1 643 248 Reach: 1 129 251 Release Date 12 November 2025
