An art exhibition dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of victims of political repression and famine is being held at Satbayev University

Every year on May 31, Kazakhstan observes the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repression and Hunger – a solemn occasion dedicated to one of the most harrowing chapters in the nation's history, spanning the 1920s to the 1950s. This period saw mass political repression and widespread hunger, resulting in the deaths of millions.

On May 30 of this year, an exhibition of photographs commemorating the victims of political repression and hunger, curated by Vladimir Yaskevich, a teacher in the Department of Architecture, was unveiled in the lobby of the oil building at Satbayev University.

The exhibition features two series of photographs, each offering a unique artistic interpretation of this tragic theme.

The first series, "Through Thorns to the Sky", comprises black-and-white images capturing the metal supports of power lines. These photographs, taken from similar angles with a straightforward centric composition, symbolize the analogous fates of those who suffered repression. The towers depicted in the photos appear to reach upwards, striving for the sky, for new heights, and for freedom. However, the harsh, unyielding latticework tragically "crosses out" these aspirations, ruthlessly quashing them. This imagery reflects the myriad tragic stories of the repressed.

The second series, "Echo of the Unbroken", honors Kazakhstani writers who fell victim to the tragedy. More than 100,000 Kazakhs endured the horrors of repression, with over 25,000 of them executed. Among the innocently convicted were prominent statesmen and politicians such as A. Bokeikhanov, A. Baitursynuly, M. Tynyshpaev, M. Dulatov, T. Ryskulov, M. Zhumabaev, S. Seifullin, I. Zhansugurov, B. Mailin, S. Asfendiyarov, and many others.

The photographs in this series feature poignant quotes from Saken Seifullin, Akhmet Baitursynov, and Alikhan Bukeikhanov. These images vividly emphasize the significance of the quotes, enhancing their resonance and expressiveness.