A number of events were held in the capital of the republic to mark the anniversary of the organization. Participants laid flowers at the memorial complex for the survivors of the siege of Leningrad, organised a photo exhibition, events at the museum of the history of the siege and a grand concert. The venue was the National Philharmonic Hall, where children’s and adult musical groups performed on the stage.
“The Kyrgyz Society of Survivors of the Siege of Leningrad was created by us under the motto “Not subject to oblivion,” said the president of the organization, Marat Kutanov. “From the very beginning, we were involved in the socio-political life of the city and the countryside, and since then we have come a long way.
The company is responsible for the creation of a memorial complex, the opening of a museum of the history of the blockade, the implementation of the “Return the Name” project, the maintenance of the “Immortal Regiment” at an altitude of 4,400 meters above sea level and many other events. The organization also published five thematic books, filmed three documentaries and dozens of videos about the most tragic and at the same time heroic pages of the Great Patriotic War. However, Marat Kutanov himself considers one of the most important achievements of the society to be that it does not allow the common history of Kyrgyzstan and Russia to be distorted.
“We devote every day to this mission,” he said, without mentioning modestly that the Kyrgyz Society of Survivors of the Siege of Leningrad performs another important mission in the republic. The organization makes a huge contribution to the patriotic education of the younger generation.
“I am a future soldier and the activities of the Kyrgyz Society of Survivors of the Siege of Leningrad inspire me to study further and then serve peace in my homeland,” admits Bishkek cadet Erzhan Tokombaev, who attended the ceremony.
The contribution of society to the life of the country is highly valued in the parliament of the republic.
“The 30th anniversary of this important organization is not just a jubilee event,” says Chyngyz Aidarbekov, deputy of the Kyrgyz parliament. “This is a day of remembrance and gratitude to those who, in the most difficult conditions, maintained courage, perseverance and an unbreakable spirit.
“The Kyrgyz society of survivors of the siege of Leningrad has preserved the memory of these events for three decades and passed it on from generation to generation, so that our youth never forgets the price at which peace and freedom are obtained,” adds Gulya Kozhokulova, deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh.
direct speech
Evgeny Primakov, head of Rossotrudnichestvo:
– The Kyrgyz Society of Survivors of the Siege of Leningrad makes an invaluable contribution to preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War and the feat of the participants in the defence of the city. Today, when the world is trying to rewrite history and discredit the heroic past of our countries, the activities of the society acquire special value. It does not allow us to forget the invincible spirit of the soldiers of the Second World War, the cohesion and unity of our peoples in the face of a common enemy.
