May 31 - Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Persecution and Famine

May 31 is a day to remember the victims of the terrible times that left an indelible mark on the fate of our people. Political persecution and famine are one of the most painful pages of our history, which destroyed the fate of thousands of innocent people and left an irreparable wound in the heart of the nation.

This is a day to glorify the name of the lions who fought for the freedom and future of our people, who became the spiritual support and conscience of the nation.

The land of Abai is a sacred place that brought up great people who dreamed of seeing the Kazakh people as a free, just and educated country at the beginning of the 20th century. On this soil, Alash figures lived, worked creatively, fought for the fate of the country, and thought about the future of the nation. They were representatives of not only the political but also the spiritual elite. The holy place of Abai has not forgotten their names and works.

For the intellectuals of Alash, the future of the people and national honor were always higher than personal interests. They knew that the prosperity of the nation depends on education and enlightenment. Such figures as Ahmet Baitursynuly, Alikhan Bukeikhan, Mirzhakip Dulatov, Zhusipbek Aimautov laid the foundations of the idea of ​​national statehood and made an effort to awaken people's consciousness.

They well understood that the path to freedom begins with education, culture, and spiritual perfection. Knowing that this path is dangerous, he consciously chose the path of struggle for the sake of the nation.

"If the educated citizens of Kazakhstan do not serve the Kazakh like this, when will we serve and benefit ourselves?!" Alikhan Bukeikhan's words have become the life position of Alash figures. This position aimed at serving the nation faithfully, protecting the mother tongue, providing education, opening a school, and forming free thinking. They recognized honor as higher than fear, and knowledge as more powerful than power.

The words of Alikhan Bukeikhan: "If I am alive, I will not serve the Kazakh people" defined the meaning of his whole life. He worked faithfully for his people, no matter what position he held, no matter what difficulties he faced. Despite pressure and persecution, he did not waver from his position. He proved the truth of what he said with his life.

During the years of political persecution, many people were called "enemies of the people" and were innocently punished just for thinking differently and opposing injustice. Their names were going to be erased from history, but they were not erased from people's memory.

One of those victims is Shakarim Kudaiberdiuly. Abay's student, thoughtful poet, philosopher. Although he did not engage in open political struggle, his position based on conscience and truth was considered dangerous for the tyrannical system of that time. Shakarim rejected force and violence, but never refused to speak the truth. As a result, he was shot without trial and investigation.

Although many attempts were made to return Shakarim's heritage to the people, the fear of the time was an obstacle for a long time. Because he spoke about respect, faith, culture and spiritual freedom. And such values ​​were the greatest danger for the totalitarian system.

The words of the poet Mukhtar Shakhanov, "Shakarim, who spread his knowledge, is not in our memory, but in our soul" accurately reflects the place of the thinker's legacy in the minds of the people.

If the figures of Alash aim to modernize the society through political and social changes, Shakarim called for the improvement of a person through conscience. This was also a manifestation of great bravery and spiritual courage.

Today, a new generation of independent thinkers is growing up, following in the footsteps of the older generation. Only a country that has absorbed the lessons of the past can make its future a reality.

That is why May 31 is not only a day of mourning. This is an important day to refresh our historical memory, learn from the past, and demonstrate the perfection of national consciousness. Only people who have not forgotten their past will have a bright future.