Russian city set to name public square after Kazakh president's father

Authorities in the Russian city of Omsk are preparing to name a public square after Kemel Tokayev, the father of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The proposal has already received the backing of the administration of Omsk's Central District and now awaits final approval by deputies of the Omsk City Council at a plenary session, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

The initiative to name the square near Bolnichny Lane after Kemel Tokayev was submitted by the Regional Kazakh National-Cultural Autonomy of the Omsk Region.

Kemel Tokayev shares a longstanding historical connection with Omsk dating back to 1945, when he was seriously wounded in the leg while serving as the commander of a submachine gun squad during the final stages of World War II. He was evacuated to a military hospital in Omsk, where doctors succeeded in saving his leg from amputation.

In recognition of that history, a memorial plaque honoring Kemel Tokayev was unveiled on the hospital building in 2020.

Omsk authorities plan to name two public spaces after prominent historical figures, with one of the sites expected to be dedicated to Kemel Tokayev.

By Vafa Guliyeva