MINSK, 21 May (BelTA) – Belarus carefully preserves memory about heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kyrgyzstan to Belarus Ermek Ibraimov made the statement during a meeting of the Dialogue With Ambassador club in the House of Friendship, BelTA has learned.
The diplomat said it is important that Belarus does not forget how much pain and suffering the war brought, how many lives were derailed, and how many people died in battle. Sorrowful obelisks, of which there are many in Belarus, also remind of that time. People take good care of the obelisks and arrange events near them.
The ambassador believes that peoples of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan are connected by the mourning about victims of the war and by the pride in the historical deeds of frontline soldiers and homefront workers, who made the victory possible. Ermek Ibraimov talked about Kyrgyzstan's contribution to the Great victory. About 370,000 residents of Kyrgyzstan fought on the frontlines of the Great Patriotic War or about every fourth resident. About 100,000 citizens of Kyrgyzstan died in battle. Roughly one third of them died in Belarus. Over 70 people were awarded titles of the Hero of the Soviet Union. As many as 34 people are full cavaliers of the Order of Glory. Some 175,000 people were awarded orders and medals for combat achievements.
The diplomat noted that there are monuments to heroes of the war both in Kyrgyzstan and Belarus. Hero of the Soviet Union Dzhumash Asanaliyev is buried in a mass grave in Vitebsk Oblast. The ambassador stressed that the common historical memory underpins the friendship between the peoples of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.
Ermek Ibraimov also said he regrets that the monuments that immortalize memory about the people who fell during World War Two are being demolished in some European countries. He said he believes that memory about heroes of the war should be passed on from generation to generation.
During the meeting the diplomat was also asked questions concerning various aspects of development of Belarus-Kyrgyzstan relations.
