A traditional meeting with homefront workers of the Great Patriotic War took place at S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University.

Beginning his speech, Aryn Orsariyev, Rector of S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University, stressed the importance of celebrating the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War for representatives of all generations. It is a civic duty for any citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan to remember the heroism of veterans and homefront workers. “Today we congratulate our heroes with a special feeling in our hearts. It is important for all of us to show how much we care for them and how grateful we are for what they did,” he said.

The veterans told students about how the war started, what a great spirit of patriotism people had when they went to the front. Almost every family in our country lost somebody in this war. Many people were killed, brutally tortured, starved to death, or disappeared on the battlefields of that terrible war. Bari Zhanakhutdinov, Chairman of the Council of Veterans of S. Toraighyrov PSU, heartily congratulated the veterans. He told about the hardships that people had to endure during those years. “Memories of those who died on the battlefield will live forever... Men and women, the young and the old, all people worked tirelessly to bring the victory closer... We all admire these people’s inner strength and courage,” he said.

Pavlodar region became a reliable center for many homefront activities. Men and women worked selflessly to send as much as possible to the frontline, collected warm clothes and other most essential supplies for those who fought at the frontline. “Everything for the front, everything for the victory” - this legendary wartime motto became the main purpose and meaning of life for all civilians of the region. Pavlodar region is rich with heroes who bravely fought on the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War, many of them sacrificed their lives to give their descendants a chance for a better future. Mikhail Katayev, Makhmet Kairbayev, Kanash Kamzin, Serikbay Mutkenov - all of them were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, their names are inscribed in golden letters in the history of the country.

The Student Philharmonic of the University prepared a concert for the veterans. Wartime songs were performed by Nurzhan Sarkymbayev, Zhamilya Zhumakhan, Yuriy Rybalko, Niyaz and Daniyar Muratov, Nasikhat Abykenova and the Yertis Zhuldyzdary ensemble.

At the end of this meeting, all veterans received flowers, gifts and financial aid.

Photo by Rufina Torpischeva