In the Italian city of Trieste, thousands of kilometers away from Kazakhstan, people gathered this week to honor 36 Kazakh soldiers who died during World War II while helping liberate northern Italy from Nazi occupation, деп хабарлайды DKNews.kz.
The ceremony took place near a memorial obelisk dedicated to the Kazakh fighters of the 30th Division of the Ninth Corps of the Yugoslav People’s Liberation Army.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Italy, Yerbolat Sembayev, laid flowers at the monument together with representatives of local authorities, public organizations, and members of the Kazakh diaspora.
Why This Story Matters
For many in Kazakhstan, World War II history is connected with Moscow, Berlin, Stalingrad, or the frontlines closer to home.
But few people know that Kazakh soldiers also fought in Italy.
Some of them never returned.
Their names are now engraved on a memorial in Trieste — a reminder that Kazakhstan’s contribution to the victory over Nazism reached far beyond the borders of the Soviet Union.
“Their Names Will Remain Forever”
During the ceremony, Ambassador Sembayev spoke about the importance of preserving the memory of those who fought in the war.
According to him, Victory Day remains a symbol of sacrifice and courage for millions of families across Kazakhstan.
“Today, thanks to this memorial obelisk in Trieste, we proudly remember the names of those who gave their lives for victory,” he said.
“The names of the 36 Kazakhstanis who took part in the liberation of Trieste, along with other war heroes, will remain in our memory forever.”
A Monument With Its Own History
The obelisk in Trieste was unveiled on April 25, 2010 — Italy’s Liberation Day.
It was created by Kazakh sculptor A. Kutanov and became one of the few monuments in Europe specifically dedicated to Kazakh soldiers who fought during World War II outside the Soviet Union.
In 2025, the memorial was restored with the support of Kazakhstan’s Honorary Consul in Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Luca Bellinello.
Kazakhstan’s Forgotten Heroes in Europe
Historians say many Soviet soldiers who fought in Europe after escaping captivity or joining resistance movements often remained unknown for decades.
Among them were Kazakhstanis who fought in Yugoslav partisan units and participated in battles across northern Italy.
For Italy, Trieste symbolizes liberation from fascism.
For Kazakhstan, it is also a place of memory.
A place where the stories of young soldiers from the steppe became part of European history.
Why These Ceremonies Are Becoming More Important
Every year, there are fewer surviving veterans of World War II.
That is why memorial events like the one in Trieste carry special meaning today.
They are not only about the past.
They are about preserving names, stories, and sacrifices that younger generations may never hear about otherwise.
And this week, in a quiet Italian city near the Adriatic Sea, Italy once again remembered the Kazakh soldiers who helped bring freedom to Europe — and never made it home.
