President Nursultan Nazarbayev: Unity, friendship and solidarity of society - pledge of our success
ANA. June 2. KAZINFORM /Muratbek Makulbekov/ Yesterday Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in a ceremony of inauguration of Kerey and Zhanibek sculptural composition, devoted to famous founders of the Kazakh Khanate. The composition was erected at the square in front of the Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
"Today we are opening a monument to two famous figures, the founders of the Kazakh statehood. In the second half of the 15th century our ancestors united under the banner of Kerey and Zhanibek to establish their own state - the Kazakh Khanate", N. Nazarbayev said, speaking at the opening ceremony.
The President noted that the ethnonym Kazakhs which highlighted freedom loving nature of the nation appeared exactly at that time. The monument to Kerey and Zhanibek has been erected in sincere appreciation and gratitude to them.
The President emphasized symbolism of the place chosen for the monument's establishment. Namely here, in December 1997, heart of the new capital city of the Independent republic started beating.
"As a legitimate heir of the Golden Horde, the Kazakh Horde, formed in interfluve area of Chu and Syrdarya, occupied the vast territory. This is not the first tribute paid to Kerey and Zhanibek in our capital. On the left coast of Astana there is a street named in their honor", the Kazakh President said.
N. Nazarbayev also noted importance of filling Astana - the city which connects past and future - with the projects, monuments and facilities reminding of the history of Kazakhstan. Therefore we built a monument to Khan Kenessary, fallen in the fight for freedom of the Kazakh nation. Besides, on the threshold of the 10th anniversary of Astana we opened Kazakh Eli monument at the main square of the city. Many streets of Astana are named in honor of famous figures and ancient Kazakh cities. All of these should embody our faith to the precepts of our ancestors and relations between generations.
"The composition depicts our Khans, founders of the Kazakh Khanate with a banner in their hands. As Suyinbay akyn (poet) said, this shows the aspiration of our ancestors to establish "eternal state". Indeed, the banner of freedom raised by Kerey and Zhanibek did not fall. It rose up as Kazakhstan gained its independence. Therefore, we must keep the flag of independence, care and cherish our sovereignty", the President stressed.
The current generation should perform a historical mission - to create and develop the independent state, respected member of the international community. The current generation strengthens our statehood, develops the economy and expands international recognition of new Kazakhstan. Unity, friendship and solidarity of the society has always been and will be the pledge of our success, he stressed.
« Astana grows and gets stronger amid the vast steppe of Eurasia. We continue to implement great mission, started by our ancients. Today our country plays a significant role in ensuring regional and global security; it offers new peaceful initiatives. This year Kazakhstan heads the OSCE and the next year we will take the office of the OIC chairman. Kazakh land has become a blessed place for interfaith dialogue of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions Leaders», N. Nazarbayev noted.
Addressing the ceremony participators, the President emphasized that year by year the capital of Kazakhstan is decorated by new architectural complexes, buildings, monuments. Special attention is given to historical figures.
«All of them are called to bring up patriotism and love to motherland in citizens, especially in young people, and strengthen our historical memory», the Head of the State said.