A Kazakh family’s story bridges deportation, love and blended traditions
Yelizaveta Tastanbekova’s family history spans from the Volga region to Kazakhstan, shaped by deportation and resilience. Born in the village of Kargaly in the Almaty region, she now shares a multicultural home with her husband, Marat, where traditions from different backgrounds blend together. Their story reflects both personal connection and the broader history of their families.
Yelizaveta’s roots trace back to the Volga Germans. Her grandfather, Heinrich Weiss, was deported in 1941 under Stalin’s decree targeting the ethnic group. Alongside him, her grandmother, Sofia Hochweiss, endured forced resettlement at just 13 years old. She was later mobilised into the labour army, while Yelizaveta’s great-grandmother faced post-war repression, leaving the family classified as special settlers until 1955.
Yelizaveta and Marat’s paths crossed on 11 June 2009, when a conversation about Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita sparked their relationship. A year and a half later, they married—first in a small ceremony, then in a Muslim Nikah in Taraz. Marat, originally from Karazhal in the Karaganda region, brought his own heritage into their union. Today, the couple honours a mix of traditions in their home. Their family milestones often coincide with Kazakhstan’s national holidays, while their celebrations weave together customs from different ethnicities. The past remains present, from the Volga German legacy of Yelizaveta’s ancestors to the Kazakh roots of Marat’s upbringing.
The Tastanbekovs’ household stands as a meeting point of histories and cultures. Their family gatherings reflect both the struggles of forced displacement and the shared moments of their life together. While some details of Yelizaveta’s ancestry—like her great-grandfather’s identity—remain unknown, their story continues to unfold through the traditions they keep alive.
