While Russia continues to place heavy emphasis on celebrating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany 81 years ago, the holiday’s importance is diminishing across much of the former Soviet space.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was one of only two Central Asian heads of state present when Russia hosted its annual commemoration of victory in World War II. While Tokayev’s attendance at the much-diminished May 9 parade signalled continued diplomatic support for Moscow, commemorations inside Kazakhstan continue to drift away from their Soviet roots.
This year saw no military parades anywhere in Kazakhstan while the president was in Moscow. Instead, officials laid flowers at the Defenders of the Fatherland memorial in Astana. Meanwhile, a local version of the Immortal Regiment march, where families parade with portraits of relatives who fought during World War II, took place in the southern city of Almaty after questions about its approval.
Despite Soviet flags still being visible during the march – now known as Batyrlarga Tagzym, Tribute to the Heroes – they were far outnumbered by Kazakh flags and ribbons. Officials further reinforced this shift by handing out ribbons in Kazakhstan’s turquoise-and-yellow national colors before the march began.
