On October 28, a presentation of the exhibition of archival documents and historical materials of the International Conference "Evacuation: resurrecting the past" was held in the Karaganda Museum of Regional History. The exhibition was organized by the Association of Jewish National Organizations of Kazakhstan "Mitsva" and Karaganda Jewish Community Centre "Shemesh".

Representatives of the state, public, cultural organizations of the city, teachers and students of history faculties of universities and delegates of the community assembled in the Museum. The director of Jewish Community Centre Irina Kozhanovskaya facilitated the meeting.

The exhibition presented unique documents from the State Archives of the Republic and displays aroused great interest in the audience. The meeting was opened by President of Association "Mitsva" Alexander Baron. He spoke about how the idea of creation of this exhibition was born and why these researches are needed. The Head of the Department of Analysis and Monitoring of Management of Internal Policy Alexander Silantiev highlighted the importance of such researches, their relevance and appropriateness. The history teacher from the grammar school № 1 Vladimir Rybkin described his work in this field.

The director of the regional archive, candidate of historical sciences Ludmila Mikheeva presented interesting facts about evacuation of people and enterprises to Kazakhstan. A member of our community Konstantin Abramson shared his memories. Great interest and intention to co-operate was expressed by the principal journalists Irina Lis and Ekaterina Kuznetsova. The recollections of the elders of the Jewish community of Karaganda city which were introduced to the guests by the coordinator of library Larissa Brodskaya were also very interesting.

This exhibition evidently shows the pain and losses of all people of the Soviet Union who has gone through the horrors of the Great Patriotic War. The evacuation saved lives of the millions of people. The presented documents confirm that the massive migration was accompanied by severe ordeal for the citizens rescued from the threat of fascist destruction or slavery. They survived carrying all the burdens of wartime on their shoulders.

Larissa Brodskaya