Historic unveiling in Vestvågøy on May 8 commemorates those who fell on Norwegian soil during WWII
On May 8 – Norway’s Liberation Day – a new memorial will be unveiled in Vestvågøy to honour the memory of Ukrainian and Kazakh soldiers who lost their lives in Norway during the Second World War. This solemn event marks a significant step in recognising the sacrifices made by thousands of foreign prisoners of war held in Norway under Nazi occupation.
Ukrainian Ambassador Viacheslav Yatsiuk unveiled the first Ukrainian memorial to the Ukrainian effort in Norway during World War II on Saturday, May 14 2022. This is the first Ukrainian memorial to be erected in Norway, despite the fact that Ukrainian soldiers made a heroic effort in the liberation of Norway and many sacrificed their lives.
The memorial will be unveiled by Ms. Nataliya Marikutsa, First Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy, and Mr. Adil Tursunov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Norway.
This will be the second memorial in Norway dedicated to Ukrainian soldiers who died during the war. The first was unveiled in Lyngdal in 2022 by the Ukrainian ambassador.
For Kazakhstan, this event marks a historical first: never before has a memorial been erected in Norway to acknowledge the contribution and suffering of Kazakh soldiers during World War II.
The memorial, accompanied by an informational plaque, will shed light on a lesser-known chapter of the war – the forced displacement of Soviet soldiers, many of whom were Ukrainian or Kazakh, who were captured by Nazi Germany and sent to occupied Norway as prisoners of war. They were used as forced labour in extremely harsh conditions, building roads, railways, and fortifications along the Norwegian coast. Many perished from exhaustion, disease, abuse, and malnutrition.
The new site in Vestvågøy not only pays tribute to the fallen but also strengthens the bonds between Norway, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. It is a reminder of the shared histories and the need to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice far from home.
“This memorial is a gesture of remembrance, respect, and historical justice. It ensures that these soldiers will not be forgotten,” said one of the local organizers. “It also reminds us of the importance of peace, especially in light of ongoing conflicts in the world today.”
The unveiling ceremony will include speeches by the diplomatic representatives, a wreath-laying ceremony, and musical tributes. The event is open to the public.
This was the memorial the comrades of the shot soldiers erected at Borge Church in May 1945. This is also the template for the memorial that will be unveiled on May 8, 80 years later.
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