Ambassador of Kazakhstan Lays Flowers at Memorial Honouring Kazakh Soldiers Who Fell in the Liberation of Northern Italy

Trieste, May 8, 2025 – As part of the 80th anniversary commemorations of Victory in World War II, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Italy, Yerbolat Sembayev, laid flowers at a memorial obelisk dedicated to 36 Kazakh soldiers from the 30th Division of the 9th Corps of the Yugoslav People’s Liberation Army. These soldiers died during the liberation of northern Italy, including the city of Trieste, during World War II.  

In his address at the ceremony, Ambassador Sembayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s significant contribution to the defeat of fascism. He noted that many Kazakh citizens voluntarily joined the front lines and gave their lives in the fight for freedom and independence.

“Today, thanks to this memorial in Trieste, we proudly remember those who gave their lives. May the names of the Kazakh heroes who remained on Italian soil be forever honoured. Their sacrifice is part of our shared history in the struggle for peace and friendship. Hundreds of our compatriots have etched their names into the history of the great Victory through their immortal acts of bravery. The names of the 36 Kazakh soldiers who helped liberate Trieste, along with those of other wartime heroes, will remain in our memory forever,” Sembayev said.

The obelisk was unveiled on April 25, 2010, and was created by Kazakh sculptor A. Kutanov. This year, it was restored with the support of Luca Bellinello, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.