Liat Wexelman, the Ambassador of Israel, visited Zhezkazgan on May 31, the Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Political Repressions, a tragic day for all repressed peoples.
During her working trip, the Ambassador visited Steplag, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled in honor of all Jews who perished in the camps for former political prisoners.
When opening the important historical complex, Ambassador Liat Wexelman thanked the Kazakh people for helping the repressed Jews, sharing their bread and helping political prisoners to survive in their years of hardship.
The consequences of the Great Purge affected all peoples of the former Soviet Union. Among them are Chechens, Jews, Ukrainians, Belarusians and many other peoples who suffered under Stalin’s totalitarian regime.
In addition to the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, the Ambassador showed interest in the everyday life and ways of life of the political prisoners. She visited the miraculously spared ruins of the prison camp and saw the conditions the prisoners were kept in. It is worth noting that thanks to the help of the Steplag museum (Moscow), the restoration of the complex is underway now.
The list of the sites of Ambassador Liat Wexelman’s working visit also included a visit to Ulytay Nan Bakery and the cathode shop of Kazakhmys Smelting. The honored guest got acquainted with the operation of Zhezkazgan Smelter cathode and anode shops, and was shown the process of producing the highest grade copper, 99,99.
Chairman of the Veterans Council of Kazakhmys Corporation Tolegen Bukurov guided the guests along Garyshkerler Boulevard. He informed the guest of the Ketbuka memorial complex, told about the legendary history of the famous akyn (poet) and presented the working delegation with commemorative medals.
At the end of the working trip Liat Wexelman thanked the Kazahstani party for preserving the memory of the innocent convicts, mentioning that such trips give the opportunity to learn the history, tragic chapters of which should never be forgotten by all generations to come.
A business meeting in the city Akimat (administration) identified the future potential for many areas of Kazakh-Israeli cooperation.
