Kazakhstan marks 67th anniversary of Victory in World War II
"The greatness of the triumph of May 9, 1945, by our fathers and grandfathers, who defended freedom and independence of their Fatherland and liberated many countries from fascist enslavement, does not fade over the years," the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan wrote on May 7, the Kazakh MFA's press service reports.
"For the people of Kazakhstan, the Victory Day is a day of triumph of justice and a national day of mourning for the millions of people who died in the immensely cruel and terrible war. The names of those who died in that war are holy and dear to us."
According to the Ministry, currently there are 9,612 participants, including 2,881 disabled veterans living in Kazakhstan. In addition, there are about 25,000 persons equated with war veterans who have contributed to the victory. There are more than 31,000 parents, wives, and husbands of servicemen and servicewomen killed during the War, and around 218,000 people who worked in the rear.
On May 9, people in all regions of Kazakhstan will commemorate the Victory Day by laying flowers to monuments, obelisks, and graves of soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. In addition, official receptions, concerts, and celebrations honouring veterans, as well as charity events and other activities to provide additional support to war veterans along with commemorative gifts are planned for this day.
This year, local executive bodies have allocated over KZT 2.8 billion from the budgetary and extra budgetary funds for the support of veterans, including KZT 540.5 million for the provision of a one-time financial assistance to 74,000 veterans.
Apart from that, appropriate housing will be provided to 29 veterans in need of better housing, houses of 291 veterans will be repaired, and 19 veterans will have telephones installed in their homes, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
Reduced fare for urban, suburban, and intercity transport will be provided for 22,000 veterans in all regions of Kazakhstan.
"This year, more than 3,000 veterans will receive sanatorium treatment worth KZT 205.3 million, nearly 4,000 veterans will receive prosthetic dentistry services, and 14,000 veterans will be granted preferential drug provision. About 44,000 veterans will be granted exemptions on payment for communal services and fuel provision. As part of the activities held by local executive bodies, social support will cover 210,500 veterans of war and labour," according to the statement by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
The People of Kazakhstan went through the whole war, which ended in the spring of 1945 in Berlin, after defending Leningrad, Stalingrad, and liberating Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Baltic nations, and the peoples of Europe.
At the time of the War, Kazakhstan marked an increase in industrialisation and mineral extraction in support of the war effort. Besides being an overwhelmingly agricultural-based economy, Kazakhstan was one of the main arsenals for the front. In total, in 1941-45, almost 500 plants, ore mines, individual productions, and factories which produced machinery, weaponry, radio and other military technologies were established in the country.
A total of 1,366 thousand people were drawn from the country, almost half of which did not return.
During the War, around 500 Kazakhstanis became Heroes of Soviet Union, more than 100 received the Order of Glory, and four were awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union twice, including Talgat Begeldinov, Leonid Beda, Ivan Pavlov and Sergey Lugansky.
Baurzhan Momyshuly, Aliya Moldagulova, Manshuk Mametova, Tolegen Toktarov, Nurken Abdirov and many other brave heroes of the War will be forever inscribed into history and will always be remembered in Kazakhstan.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan experienced population inflows of millions evacuated and exiled from other parts of the Soviet Union during the 1930s and 1940s. Many of the deportation victims were interned in some of the largest Soviet labour camps, including ALZHIR camp outside Astana, which held wives of men considered to be the "enemies of the people."
Today President Nursultan Nazarbayev is expected to lay wreaths at the Otan Korgaushylar Monument in Astana. Tournaments and various sports activities dated to the Victory Day take place the countrywide. Astana and Almaty cities will enjoy salute in celebration of the 67th anniversary of the Great Victory.
