Russia-Kazakhstan Dispute Over Historical Memory and Colonialism

Russia and Kazakhstan’s collaboration aims to address conflicting historical views on Russian colonialism. The joint working group focuses on the differences in how Russian imperial policies are portrayed in school textbooks. Kazakhs view their historical narrative as foundational to their identity, making joint historical memory initiatives complex amidst political tensions.

Recently, Russia and Kazakhstan established a joint working group focused on the ‘custody of historical memory’ to address contentious historical interpretations of Russian colonialism in Central Asia. Russian officials express concerns about how the imperial past is depicted in school textbooks, particularly in Kazakhstan, while Kazakhs recall President Putin’s 2014 assertion that Kazakhstan ‘never had its own statehood’.
The primary focus of the dispute lies in contrasting narratives regarding Russian colonial policies. Kazakh educational materials depict Russia as a colonizer that oppressed annexed territories, fueling sentiments of xenophobia and Russophobia among local populations. Experts highlight that a 10th-grade history textbook in Kazakhstan characterizes the Russian Empire’s approach as an aggressive and ineffective colonial policy, referencing social unrest linked to early 20th-century reforms.
Political analysts, such as Arkadij Dubnov, warn that these colonialism-related historical debates may heighten tensions despite official proclamations of friendship between both nations. He reflects on past incendiary declarations from Putin, notably at a 2014 youth forum, sparking backlash across Kazakh society, leading to responses emphasizing the historical significance of Kazakh statehood.
Kazakh researcher Ajdar Amrebaev underscores the impact of political motivations on historical discourse, contrasting Kazakh perspectives on the Soviet Union’s dissolution with the Russian view, labeling it a ‘geopolitical catastrophe’. For Kazakhs, achieving sovereignty marked a pivotal moment of historical rectification. He also references the historical legitimacy of Kazakh governance structures during the Golden Horde’s era, advocating for a separation between historical analysis and political ideologies.
In Kazakhstan, historian Erkin Abil emphasizes the importance of fostering historical memory for national identity. He has led collaborative research attempts between Kazakh and Russian historians since 2018, although work has stalled due to logistical issues exacerbated by the pandemic. Abil emphasizes independence in research endeavors, pointing out the challenges of achieving a ‘unified overall memory’ with Russia. He confirms that Kazakh events marking the 80th anniversary of WWII victory will proceed independently without awards facilitated through Russia, indicating lingering uncertainties in bilateral historical collaborations.

The dispute over historical narratives surrounding Russian colonialism reveals deep-seated differences in Russian and Kazakh identity and memory. With the establishment of a joint working group, the nations attempt to address these tensions. However, underlying political issues and differing perspectives on statehood complicate the formation of a cohesive historical understanding. For Kazakhs, preserving their own narrative is crucial for national identity, underscoring the challenges of achieving a unified historical narrative in collaboration with Russia.

Original Source: www.asianews.it