Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Institute of History and Ethnology named after Sh. Sh. Ualikhanov

Memories of witnesses and descendants of the dark as historical facts

On November 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., the Ualikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology held a scientific and methodological seminar on the topic: “Memories of witnesses and descendants of evil as a historical fact”.

The scientific and methodological seminar was held within the framework of the BNK project “preparation and publication of a series of memoirs of witnesses of the mass famine of 1931-1933 in Kazakhstan and their descendants”. The purpose of the scientific and methodological seminar is to assess the importance of using as a historical source the memories of witnesses of mass famine and their descendants in the dark years in Kazakhstan and discuss the methodology of studying memories. The main areas of discussion:

  •  identification of specific features of memories as historical facts;
  •  content of memoirs and determination of the place and role in the study of history;
  •  analysis of the causes of famine and factors that contributed to the mass death of the population, indicated by witnesses of famine;
  •  systematization of eyewitness experiences during the famine years;
  •  analysis of methods for interviewing witnesses or their descendants;
  •  discussion of the metology of using memories as data and studying them.

The scientific and methodological seminar was opened with a foreword by the Deputy Director General for Scientific Work of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch. Ualikhanov, Candidate of Historical Sciences Sh.B. Tleubaev. Shamek Bayanovich dwelled on the importance of the memory of the people as a valuable source, methods of conducting research in the genre of narrated history concerning the history of famine in Kazakhstan in the 30s of the twentieth century. In addition, he noted that the story transmitted orally from grandfather to child is contained in manuscripts of memoirs from archival collections. During the implementation, special attention was paid to the memories of eyewitnesses of the mass famine of 1931-1933 in the Almaty region and their descendants, collected within the framework of the project.

The main speaker, the chief researcher of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch. Ualikhanov, Doctor of Historical Sciences O.H. Mukhatova, made a presentation on methods and methods of using the memory of witnesses and descendants of evil as a historical source. Orazgul Khasenovna said that according to the BNK project “Preparation and publication of a series of memoirs of witnesses of the mass famine of 1931-1933 in Kazakhstan and their descendants” a collection of 20 volumes will be prepared, two volumes will be prepared and published this year.

Also during the event, the leading researcher of the Institute, Candidate of Historical Sciences, associate Professor A.K. Shashaev, researcher, Master of History A.A. Bekenova, junior researcher, Master E. Saurkan shared their experience on the accumulation of memories.

The seminar was attended by the scientific secretary of the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch. Ualikhanov, PhD, associate Professor Kurmanalina N.N., senior researcher, doctoral student Arepova A.D., junior researcher, Master Nurtaevich K., etc. About 60 historical scientists, university professors, doctoral students and masters from Almaty, Taraz, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Semey, etc. took part. To the questions of those interested in the topic of the scientific and methodological seminar, the scientists of the Institute replied that they were ready to answer in the future if they had any questions.

In conclusion, the scientific and methodological seminar on the topic “Memories of witnesses and descendants of darkness as historical facts” was an effective seminar that brought together scientists interested in the topic of the mass famine of 1931-1933 in the regions of the country, the use of memories of witnesses and descendants of famine as historical facts, and shared their scientific views. “Preparation and publication of a series of memoirs of the witnesses of the mass famine of 1931-1933 in Kazakhstan and their descendants” we wish the performers of the BNA project to be creative success in collecting 20 volumes of memoirs, making important scientific conclusions from them for our country, your work on the development of the history of our motherland.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sQUzm9P0BsnKqBE8QEujKvtGzhiX5YX?usp=drive_link

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