Visit by a delegation from Kazakhstan

On October 24, 2025, we had the honor of hosting a special delegation from Kazakhstan: Vitaly Khmelevsky, president of the Union of Poles in Kazakhstan, Prof. Natalia Kalashnikova from the Eurasian National University named after L. Gumilyov in Astana, chairwoman of the Association of Departments of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, and Timur Dzhumurbayev from the youth wing of the Assembly. Astana, Chairwoman of the Association of Departments of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, Timur Dzhumurbayev from the youth wing of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, and Krystian Pachucki from the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Province.

The meeting was an excellent opportunity to present the activities of the Center for Documentation of Deportations, Expulsions, and Resettlements at the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow and to discuss prospects for cooperation in the field of Polish-Kazakh history and national heritage. Particularly moving were the discussions about the difficult experiences of our nations – exile, deportation, and forced migration – which remain an important part of our shared historical memory.

The delegation also participated in a curator-led tour of the permanent exhibition entitled “Deported to Siberia. The fate of Polish citizens deported deep into the Soviet Union during World War II,” which provided an even deeper understanding of the dramatic fate of Poles in Kazakhstan.
We are hopeful that this meeting will result in cooperation on joint research and educational projects that will contribute to a deeper understanding of the history and heritage of our nations.