28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park

The urban park surrounds The Ascension Cathedral, in Almaty. It is dedicated to and named after the Panfilov heroes; 28 soldiers of an Alma-Ata Infantry unit who died while defending Moscow from the German invasion in World War 2. Panfilov was the commanding general the 316th division.

The House of Officers is a rather splendid 4-storey building of white marble constructed in front of the eastern entrance to the park as recently as the late 1970's. It provides a passage to the Eternal Fire of the Glory Memorial. It houses a concert hall and cinema and other rooms.

In 1919 it was known as the "Park of the Fallen Heroes" commemorating the heroes of the Red Army who died during the Russian Civil War.

It changed names a few times in the following years, to suit what was flavour of the month, usually something to do with Lenin or some obscure reason to curry favour with the Soviet leaders in Moscow.

It's current name has existed since May1942, to commemorate the aforementioned heroes.

So join me and lets look at some Soviet war stuff.

In 1974, a project for the memorial complex was undertaken. It was a triptych form construction dedicated to Soviet power in Kazakhstan and the victory in the Great Patriotic War, (WW2 to non Soviets)

The eternal flame burns bright to commemorate the fallen of the war.

Close to the main monument stands "Trumpeting Glory".

Supposedly to embody the anthem of triumphant life.

On the other side a memorial to the Russian Revolution.

Monument to Afghan warriors. In total more than 22 thousand Kazakhstani soldiers were in the theatre of war, hmm wonder how many were there of their own free will? Most were probably young naive conscripts

To honour the Kazakhstani soldiers who died during the war in Afghanistan it was opened on 15 February 2003 to coincide with the 14th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.

The names of 69 Almatay citizens who did not return from the Afghan war are carved at the foot of the monument.

Nearby just a small less imposing monument to the Afghan war. Dedicated to the doctors nurses and other medical personnel that served.