Russian TV presenter Tina Kandelaki has stirred controversy by likening Kazakhs to Mankurts (characters of Chinghiz Aitmatov's novel "The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years"), Orda.kz reports. Kandelaki expressed her disapproval of the renaming of Russian-named railway stations in Kazakhstan, labeling such changes as a "dangerous activity."
In her critique, Kandelaki drew parallels with the concept of "mengu" in Kazakh culture, suggesting a link to the famous Mankurt, described as an individual who has lost memory, identity, and sometimes sanity. She argued that forgetting one's history, including historical names, is not only illiterate but also perilous, especially for those who inhabit the earth and are not traversing space.
Kandelaki cited the entry of CPSU troops during the Kantar period in 2022 as an example, asserting that Kazakhstan might have ceased to exist without the assistance of its neighbors. She emphasized the importance of remembering the past, highlighting the near disappearance of the state of Kazakhstan two years ago.
The TV presenter posed a rhetorical question, contrasting the consequences of forgetting the past with the options of either burning cities or receiving aid from neighbors. Kandelaki also referenced the movie "Borat" and encouraged Kazakhs to exercise reason.
"To not remember the past is to applaud 'Borat.' Besides Kazakhstan, who else has banned it? Russia and the Persian Gulf countries. What about the enlightened elves of the West? They wanted to spit on it. Who are Kazakhs for them? The answer in the film is clear. Less anger, more reason. Then you'll never have to brag to explain to the American media that you like Borat's jokes. At least Russia is with you," remarked Tina Kandelaki.
Notably, this is not the first instance of prominent Russians making controversial statements about Kazakhstan. Towards the end of 2023, Russian State Duma deputy Yevgeny Fedorov questioned the legality of Kazakhstan's withdrawal from the USSR. Journalist Dmitry Steshin has also asserted that the northern regions of Kazakhstan historically belong to Russia on multiple occasions.
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