News

On 15 October 2026, the Department of History of the Faculty of Education and Humanities hosted a meeting with Roberto Boltri, an Italian researcher, writer, and traveler. The event was attended by the department’s academic staff, doctoral students, and students, who exchanged views on the historical and cultural heritage of Central Asia, historical memory, and international academic cooperation. During the meeting, Roberto Boltri presented two of his books and discussed their content and main ideas. In particular, the author introduced his works “Итальянец – „esubero“ в Центральной Азии” and “Ұмытылған қасірет. Una tragedia dimenticata.”

Published in Almaty in 2021, “Итальянец – „esubero“ в Центральной Азии” describes the author’s life journey, his travels across Central Asian countries, the historical and cultural characteristics of the region, and his interactions with local communities. The book also focuses on the history of the Great Silk Road, Central Asia’s geopolitical past, cultural ties, and environmental issues. Through this work, the author introduces readers to the region’s historical heritage and cultural diversity. An important part of the meeting was devoted to the presentation of “Ұмытылған қасірет. Una tragedia dimenticata.” Published by the “Үш Қиян” publishing house in Almaty, the book focuses on the fate of Italians and Kazakhs deported to repressive camps such as the Gulag, Karlag, and ALZHIR, as well as other victims of the totalitarian system. In his work, the author examines the history of the Crimean Italians, the “Mayak” humanitarian project in Karlag, and the importance of studying the political repressions of the twentieth century from a historical perspective.

Roberto Boltri emphasized the importance of studying historical events and preserving historical memory. He highlighted the need to pass the tragic lessons of the past on to future generations and to raise international awareness of them. His works provide an opportunity to compare the historical experiences of different peoples, study the fate of victims of repression, and foster respect for historical heritage. During the meeting, students and doctoral students asked the author questions and engaged in a meaningful exchange of views on historical sources related to the Stalinist repression period, archival research, the cultural heritage of Central Asia, and international research projects. The participants also discussed the use of works by foreign researchers in the educational process, the scholarly analysis of historical sources, and the promotion of Kazakhstan’s history within the international academic community.

As part of the meeting, K. Bazarbayev, Acting Professor of the Department of History, presented his scholarly work to the honored guest, Roberto Boltri. This meaningful gesture symbolized the exchange of academic experience and intellectual values and contributed to strengthening academic ties between Kazakhstani and international researchers.

The meeting was an important academic event that contributed to broadening students’ historical perspectives, increasing their interest in academic research, and developing their critical thinking skills in relation to historical events. Such meetings also help strengthen academic and cultural ties between Kazakhstani and international researchers and promote cooperation in preserving historical memory and studying shared heritage.

At the end of the event, the participants expressed their gratitude to Roberto Boltri for the informative meeting, the presentation of his books, and his contribution to the study of historical truth and the preservation of historical memory.