O nouă monedă comemorativă din Kazahstan - 22.05.2025

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On May 5, 2025, the National Bank of Kazakhstan issued a new commemorative 200 tenge (€0.35) coin, honoring the 80th anniversary of the “ULY JENIS”—the Great Victory over Nazism in 1945. This issue is not only a historical celebration, but also a cultural and political statement about how Kazakhstan chooses to remember its past.

What is “ULY JENIS” and why does Kazakhstan avoid the term “Great Patriotic War”?

In the Russian and Soviet context, World War II is known as the “Great Patriotic War” (Velikaya Otechestvennaya Voyna), a term steeped in Russian nationalist symbolism. Kazakhstan, however, prefers to refer to this date as “ULY JENIS,” which literally means “Great Victory” in Kazakh.

This shift in approach is not minor. It reflects the country's deliberate attempt to construct its own narrative about its history. The reasons are numerous:

Distancing from the Soviet-Russian legacy

The term "Great Patriotic War" is closely linked to Russia's central role in the Soviet narrative. Kazakhstan, by using "ULY JENIS," seeks to avoid a Moscow-centric view and emphasizes the shared sacrifice of the Soviet peoples, including the Kazakhs.

Reaffirmation of linguistic and national identity

By using the term in Kazakh, the country strengthens its language and culture in the face of its Russian legacy. This decision is part of a broader process of de-Russianization and strengthening of the Kazakh language in public and official life.

A more inclusive and sovereign memory

“ULY JENIS” allows Kazakhstan to commemorate its veterans from a position of respect and pride, without relying on the Soviet ideological framework. It's a way to build a memory that honors the past, but from its own perspective.

In this sense, the use of “ULY JENIS” is not just a matter of terminology, but a symbolic declaration of independence.

Design and symbolism

 

The coin's design reflects the solemnity of the anniversary. The number "80" is decorated with an ornamental pattern reminiscent of the Victory Ribbon, stylized with graphic elements from Kazakhstan's national flag. In the center, the image of an eternal flame evokes the monuments to fallen soldiers found in many cities across the country.

This design serves a dual purpose: commemorating the 1945 victory and conveying a Kazakh vision of history, far removed from traditional Soviet triumphalism. 

 

Technical characteristics of the currency

Face value: 200 tenge
Material: bimetallic, with nickel-brass ring and cupronickel core
Weight: 7.5 grams
Diameter: 26 mm
Quality: Uncirculated
Print run: 10 million units
Circulation: Yes, it is legal tender throughout Kazakhstan
Manufactured by: Mint of Kazakhstan 

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