The question of preserving historical truth about the Great Patriotic War remains relevant in historical science and public memory. Although the number of researchers engaged in this topic in Kyrgyzstan has decreased compared to the Soviet period, scholars and educators continue to work diligently: studying archival materials, relying on major studies, conducting teaching activities, and trying to protect the youth from distortions arising from modern information flows. Nuriza Kadyralieva, an associate professor at the Department of History of Kyrgyzstan at the Institute of History and Regional Studies of the Jusup Balasagyn National University, shared her opinion with VB.KG on the role of historians, changes in the perception of the war among the youth, and personal family stories that remind us of the price of Victory.
- How do you assess the current state of research on the Great Patriotic War in Kyrgyzstan?
- During the Soviet era, this topic was one of the most popular for study. Many researchers worked in this field, scientific schools were established, books, archival reference books, and collections of documents were published. However, after gaining independence, the situation changed. The number of researchers decreased, but the work did not stop. Significant names include Suyun Kerimbaev, Orozbek Sagynbaev, and Jorobekov Turatbekovich. It is also important to mention Narynbek Alymkulov, whose book about the war was published posthumously in 2025. This work contains the most relevant data at that time.
These researchers create an important foundation, maintaining academic objectivity and avoiding distortions and political bias. In a situation where society is undergoing changes and the information environment is becoming increasingly aggressive, the significance of their work increases.
The necessity for continued systematic research becomes obvious — without it, a gap may arise between real historical facts and the perception of the youth.
- You mentioned that the attitude of the youth towards the war has changed. What observations could you provide?
- Changes have become particularly noticeable in recent years. The youth live in a digital world, and they receive information from forums, social networks, and videos. Sometimes one can encounter opinions that the participation of the peoples of Central Asia in the war was "optional" or that the residents of the republic should not have fought for a "foreign state." These are serious distortions arising from a lack of knowledge.
Gradually, the generation of teachers raised in the Soviet era, who passed down stories from the elders and personal family histories to children and supported respect for veterans, is fading away. Now, the youth have a completely different cultural environment, focused on speed and superficial discussions, which facilitates the easy spread of distorted opinions.
Some students argue online based on the opinions of "armchair experts," who themselves do not know the facts but are confident in their correctness. As educators, we try to shield students from such interpretations and bring them back to primary sources and research.
- What key historical facts about the role of Kyrgyzstan in the war do you consider important?
- It is important to realize that it was a united country. The republic was part of a common state, and participation was conscious and patriotic. In the first days of the war, 270 applications from volunteers were received by the Frunze military enlistment office. A total of about 360,000 people were drafted from Kyrgyzstan. In our country, there are 76 Heroes of the Soviet Union, about 150,000 awarded with orders and medals, and 21 people became Knights of the Order of Glory of three degrees.
The feats of such individuals as Cholponbay Tuleberdiev, fighters of the 316th Rifle Division, Duyshenkul Shopokov, Ivan Panfilov, Dair Asanov, Nikolai Dmitriev, Ismailbek Taranchev, Evdokia Pasko, and many others reflect the true patriotism of Kyrgyzstanis on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. Additionally, 1,395 women went to the front, contributing to Victory by working as nurses, surgeons, snipers, and radio operators. Captain of the medical service Rafa Aydarbekova performed about 800 operations.
– Why is it so important to preserve the memory of the war in our time?
- Understanding the scale of those events allows us to better appreciate the world we live in. Many countries are currently in a tense political situation. People making important decisions often lack personal experience of war and have not seen its consequences. Previous generations understood that peace is a fragile phenomenon that must be preserved by all possible means, including diplomacy.
When the youth do not know what war is, they can easily succumb to radical opinions and provocations. Our task is to explain that war is a tragedy for millions of people, broken families and fates that cannot be restored. It is labor, pain, and sacrifice, and only in this way can a conscious attitude towards peace be formed.
– What sources do you rely on in your work?
- I use fundamental studies by Kyrgyz historians and archival documents. For example, the Archive Service published a large collection of materials on the wartime defense industry in 2025, which serves as an important foundation. In universities, we use textbooks where facts are presented concisely and objectively. But we also understand that the youth turn to the internet, so we teach them to work with primary sources, verify information, and not trust unverified sources.
– Do you have a personal family connection to the topic of the war? What can you tell about it?
- Yes, this is a very personal topic for me. My grandfather participated in the war and then ended up in Korea, where he had a family and a daughter. He rarely shared his memories as they were heavy. When he returned, he found that he had nowhere to go: his mother had died, and his father had married another woman, while his younger brothers and sisters were children. He recalled this with regret and pain.
Such stories exist in every family. Some went as volunteers, some wanted to stay, and some lost everything. It is these personal stories that help us understand that war is not an abstraction, but the fates of specific people.
