7th May – Defender’s Day. We know well that our country’s peace, its honour and dignity are defended by the warriors of the Kazakhstan Army: soldiers, aviators, tankmen, border guards and sailors. These are people to whom the oath of loyalty is not empty words, because it is not possible for people to exist without the Motherland. And if there is a Motherland and a Home, there must be people who are there to protect them – our dear men.

9th May is the Day of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (the Second World War). We bow our heads to pay tribute to the great acts of bravery of those who fought on the front. The Victory in the Great Patriotic War was achieved through the unimaginable efforts of our ancestors. It is our sacred duty to worship their heroism, acknowledging those, who gave us the opportunity to live and build our future. Eternal glory to our victors!

We started our congratulations early in the morning. A row of ladies wearing military uniform were snapping a salute to each man entering the office. The men were grandly served their military orders with the note “attendance is compulsory”! Each level of the office was decorated with balloons, military symbols and congratulatory placards. A patriotic spirit was present in every part of the office.

The exciting and impressive event started with a tender dance called “Chamomile fields” by the children’s dance group “Charm”. We sang songs of the war years, and continued our concert programme with a beautiful and touching musical performance about a girl, who was saying good-bye to a soldier, sending him off to war. After the concert our men were presented with memorable gifts and treated to a table of celebratory food.