Patriotism in Kazakhstan is increasingly associated with everyday actions. While young people talk about volunteering, language and culture, adults talk about raising children, respect for the country and a sense of home, reports Todayinfo news agency.
According to Professor Angela Indzhigolyan of KarNU, patriotism used to be expressed more in pride for the country's history, traditions and culture. Now Kazakhstanis increasingly perceive it as personal responsibility and real actions.
“I show patriotism as love for our traditions, our hospitable people, national clothes and jewelry. I love every corner of Kazakhstan and often wear traditional outfits,” said 18-year-old Medina Bibaral from Almaty.
Professor Indzhigolyan believes that the younger generation perceives patriotism differently: “For young people, a patriot is not only someone who sings the anthem and waves the flag, but someone who builds a school, launches a startup or cleans their yard. The old understanding ('I was born here and I love') has been supplemented by a desire to prove patriotism through concrete deeds.” 21-year-old Yerkezhan Tukebayeva emphasized the importance of the Kazakh language and national culture.
The older generation more often associates patriotism with traditional values. 54-year-old Gulsara Turlybekova shared: “I show patriotism by raising my son properly. I try to make him watch patriotic movies more often. Also, when we travel abroad, I always take something with the symbols of Kazakhstan.” 38-year-old Aigul Torebekovna said she especially feels love for her homeland abroad. 50-year-old Ruslan Sarsengaliyev linked patriotism to an honest and fair life.
According to Indzhigolyan, the flag and anthem have already become part of public life, but simple things work stronger today: “Healthy patriotism is formed naturally and freely, born from within: I want to help, I care. We need to create conditions for people to want to live and work: fair courts, clean streets, real self-government.” Based on the survey responses, many Kazakhstanis understand patriotism exactly this way — not through loud words, but through actions.
