The holiday of May 9 – Victory Day – was solemnly and widely celebrated in the Abay region. A series of commemorative events took place in the city of Semey.

The main event was a flower-laying ceremony at the Eternal Flame in Victory Park, attended by the Akim (Governor) of the region Berik Uali, home front and labour veterans, heads of law enforcement agencies, representatives of military units, as well as cadets of the "Zhas Ulan" military-patriotic school. Participants laid a Garland of Glory and flower baskets, and observed a minute of silence to honor the memory of those who fell on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War.

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by a concert organized in Victory Park. Performers included Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Mapruza Utulenova, Kadyrbek and Marzhan Omarovs, Guldana Nogaybayeva, Munlyk Sarbasova, the folk ensemble "Ahau Semey", as well as other creative groups and performers. The program featured songs of the war years, patriotic compositions, and choreographic performances.

In total, over 100 various events were planned in the region in honour of May 9.

It should be noted that the Akim of the region addressed special words of gratitude to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War and home front workers. On the eve of Victory Day, he heartily congratulated the region's only surviving front-line soldier, Grigory Malarov, who was in Moscow during the holidays.

Contacting the veteran, Berik Uali read him a congratulatory letter from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: "Your life path serves as an example of genuine patriotism for the younger generation. 'No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten' – in these words lies the very essence of Victory Day. Our people will always remember and honour the unparalleled feat of front-line soldiers and home front workers. On behalf of all compatriots, I wish you good health and well-being!"

At the age of 19, Grigory Malarov went to the front, fought as part of the 2nd Baltic Front, participated in the liberation of Estonia and Poland, reached Berlin, and contributed to the common Victory. After the war, he worked as a chief economist at the Shulbinsk Hydroelectric Power Station. For his long-term conscientious work and contribution to the development of the energy sector, he was awarded the medals "Yeren enbegi ushin" (For Diligent Labour) and "Veteran of Labour". This summer, the front-line soldier will turn 100, and he has also been awarded a state monetary prize of five million tenge.

The Akim of the region also visited home front workers Shaikhslyam Uskenbayev and Ivan Belger in Semey.

When the war began, Shaikhslyam Uskenbayev was 13 years old. His father was drafted into the labour army, and his mother worked in the village while knitting mittens for soldiers. From the age of 14, the teenager worked on a collective farm. In the post-war years, he served as chairman of a village council and actively participated in public life. Today, the 98-year-old veteran lives in Semey surrounded by his family and has state awards for his selfless labour.

Ivan Belger, born in 1927, also began his working life early. He worked as a driver and mechanic in forestry. During the war, his family was deported to Kazakhstan. At just 15, he operated heavy trucks, working on the home front. Later, he worked as a chief mechanic in Ekibastuz, devoting 58 years of his life to production. Today, the 99-year-old veteran lives in Semey and has been awarded medals "Yeren enbegi ushin" (For Diligent Labour), "For the Development of Virgin Lands", and "Veteran of Labour".

Congratulating the veterans, Berik Uali emphasized that their life path is an example of patriotism and heroism, fortitude and hard work for the younger generation. According to him, during the war years, they bore the most difficult trials on their shoulders and made a significant contribution to the restoration of the country.

Let us recall that about 100,000 people from the region went to the front, over 44,000 of them did not return. For their heroism, 56 natives of the region were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Prepared by Arlan EMIR
Photo: Akimat of the Abay Region