Abstract:

This paper investigates the discursive contestation surrounding World War II remembrance in post-1991 Kazakhstan and its impact on official government narratives. The analysis delves into the nuanced layers of tropes embedded in these narratives, catering to domestic audiences and influencing bilateral relations with Russia. Over time, these tropes have evolved from the Soviet-era triumphalist interpretation to emphasizing wartime losses, the anti-Bolshevik stance of the Turkestan legion, and Kazakhstan's contribution to the World War II victory. Despite these shifts, elements such as Stalin's leadership during WWII, the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, and the Western allies' relationship with the Soviet Union remain untouched in official narratives. Concurrently, non-official narratives spotlight these untouched aspects, aiming for inclusion in collective remembrance. This research draws from diverse sources, primarily in the Kazakh language, encompassing addresses, speeches, memoirs, surveys, and interviews with contributors to non-official narratives. The paper contributes to the scholarly understanding of the evolving nature of de-Sovietized nationalizing state discourses in Kazakhstan, revealing the existence of competing narratives vying for authoritative status.