Yerlan Koshanov addresses at Great Heritage, Shared Future international forum in Brest

The forum brought together parliamentary delegations and diplomatic representatives from Belarus, Russia, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Serbia, Venezuela, Cuba, China, Mongolia and Laos. The event was held in Brest, the city that was among the first to face the Nazi German invasion in June 1941.

Addressing the forum’s plenary session, Koshanov emphasised that June 22 is not only a day marking the beginning of one of history’s most devastating wars, but also a day to reflect profoundly on history and honour those who made immense sacrifices to defend the right of future generations to live under peaceful skies. The Majilis Speaker paid special tribute to Kazakhstani soldiers who took part in the defense of the Brest Fortress, one of the first and fiercest battles of the Great Patriotic War.

“The Brest Fortress was defended by soldiers from across the Soviet Union. Of the 7,000 soldiers in the Brest garrison, around 1,000 were from Kazakhstan. Nearly all of them gave their lives here. Today, as the world faces new challenges and threats, our shared responsibility to preserve historical memory and pass it on to youth. Speaking at a military parade in Astana last year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of preserving the truth about the war, since without knowing the truth, it is impossible to understand the value of peace. It is the memory of our shared heroism that remains the strongest foundation for friendship, mutual respect and cooperation between our nations,” Yerlan Koshanov said.

During the speech, he also highlighted the work of Kazakhstani historians in restoring the memory of compatriots who died on Belarusian soil and named surviving heroes of the Brest Fortress. The Majilis Chairman also paid tribute to Kazakh partisans, noting that more than 1,500 Kazakhs fought in 65 Belarusian partisan brigades and detachments. One of Minsk’s streets is named after the legendary commander Adi Sharipov.

“According to historians, more than 120,000 Kazakhstanis took part in the battles to liberate Belarus. One in five of them is buried here. For their courage and heroism on Belarusian soil, 84 Kazakhstanis were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The names of Heroes of the Soviet Union Kazbek Nurzhanov and Sundutkali Iskaliyev have also been commemorated in Belarus. We are sincerely grateful to the brotherly Belarusian people and the country’s leadership for preserving the memory of our compatriot heroes,” Koshanov said.

The Majilis Speaker also recalled Kazakhstan’s significant contribution to supplying the front with fuel and oil products, coal, lead, clothing, footwear and food. Furthermore, during the war years, Kazakhstan welcomed more than half a million evacuees, including over 110,000 residents of Belarus. The 111 orphanages were relocated to Kazakh soil, providing shelter to 13,000 children from all republics affected by the war. Yerlan Koshanov stressed that these examples of compassion and solidarity remain an important moral legacy shared by our peoples.

During the visit, the Majilis delegation took part in commemorative events at the Brest Fortress. The Majilis deputies laid flowers at the “Brest Fortress – Hero” Memorial Complex and honoured the memory of Kazakhstani soldiers at the Memorial Alley of the Brest Fortress Garrison Cemetery.

While visiting the Brest Fortress Defense Museum, Yerlan Koshanov presented to the museum a sculpture of legendary Kazakh pilot and Great Patriotic War heroine Khiuaz Dospanova on behalf of the Majilis. Khiuaz Dospanova served in the famed 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, known as the “Night Witches,” and participated in combat operations on the Southern Front, in the North Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland.

The sculpture was created by Kazakh artist Bakhytbek Mukhametzhanov.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that a meeting was held at the Majilis between Chairman Yerlan Koshanov and Jakov Milatović, the President of Montenegro, who was on an official visit to Kazakhstan.