WELCOME TO KAZAKHSTAN

This week, the National Academic Library of Kazakhstan hosted the official opening of the Estonian Literature Corner — a project symbolizing the strengthening of cultural ties between the two countries. As part of the state visit of the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, to Astana, the event’s guests — from heads of state to cultural figures — highlighted the importance of preserving literary heritage and fostering dialogue between nations. The new literature corner, which includes about 320 editions, has become not only a symbol of friendship but also a platform for new discoveries that bring together readers of Kazakhstan and Estonia. To learn more about the significance of this project for the library and its visitors, we spoke with the Director of the National Academic Library, Kumis Seitova.The opening of the Estonian Literature Corner is not just a cultural event but an important symbol of strengthening humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and Estonia. It demonstrates how cultural diplomacy can reveal new meanings in relations between countries, expanding the space for dialogue and mutual interest. How would you assess the cultural and symbolic significance of opening the Estonian Literature Corner for Kazakhstan?— We are indeed witnessing an important event that has both cultural and symbolic significance for Kazakhstan and Estonia. The opening of the Estonian Literature Corner is part of a long-term initiative of the National Academic Library to establish foreign literature corners.Since the launch of the project to create foreign literature corners within our library, we have opened 18 such corners representing the literature of various countries (including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Spain, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea, Poland, Portugal, France, Japan, and others). Our collection has been enriched by more than 4,000 editions, which continue to be updated annually with new publications delivered through embassies.Today, our Kazakh literature corners are also being opened in national and major libraries around the world — from Paris and Berlin to Seoul and Washington. They now operate in 41 libraries worldwide.We are particularly pleased that Estonia, a country with a rich culture and deep respect for the written word, has become part of this international initiative. I would also like to note that in 2022 a Kazakh Literature Corner was opened in Estonia at the Tallinn Central Library, where 150 works by well-known Kazakh writers and poets were donated. And today, the collection of our library has been enriched with more than 200 editions in Estonian, English, Russian, and Kazakh.The President of Estonia emphasized that our nations have similar literary roots. In your opinion, how can Kazakh and Estonian folk traditions serve as a foundation for deeper cultural interaction?— Yes, the President of Estonia noted that “Kazakhstan and Estonia have their literary roots in oral traditions. Traditional folk songs, such as the aitys, provide a rich starting point for literature and writing.”As in Kazakhstan — through zhyrau and aitys — so in Estonia — through regilaulud and the epic legend Kalevipoeg — oral heritage is carefully preserved in library collections, offering readers the opportunity to study oral folk art both from their own country and from abroad. In our republic, within the framework of the state program “Cultural Heritage,” a 100-volume series titled Babalar Sözi was published, aimed at collecting, systematizing, and publishing oral spiritual heritage. It is available in Kazakhstani libraries.In Estonia, works of oral folklore are preserved in the Estonian Folklore Archive (Eesti Rahvaluule Arhiiv), part of the Estonian Literary Museum (Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum). The archive collects, preserves, and provides access to folklore materials, including texts, audio recordings, photographs, and other forms of intangible culture.Which rare or most significant publications are presented in the new collection, and what makes them unique for Kazakhstani readers?— First and foremost, the Estonian translation of Mukhtar Auezov’s novel The Path of Abai in two volumes, published in Tallinn in 1950. Our library also has a later two-volume edition from 1960. This allows our readers to access an edition published in an earlier historical period.Among the books on display are collections of Estonian folk tales published in the 1960s–1970s. Overall, more than half of the publications are colorful children’s literature. I would also like to highlight the high-quality printing, bright illustrations, and drawings by renowned Estonian artists. Among the children's authors are Eno Raud, Oskar Luts, Eduard Vilde, and others.There is also a wide range of translated literature by Kazakhstani and Estonian authors published in the 1950s–1980s, including poetry collections, novels, and other works.Today the exhibition includes about 320 books, and more than 200 of them were donated by Estonia. How was this collection formed? And which books would you recommend readers explore first?— According to our project concept, each literature corner must include at least 200 editions on the history, culture, and traditions of its country, as well as classical and contemporary fiction, including children's books. Another requirement is that readers show interest in these works through book selection requests in the electronic catalog.With this in mind, we selected the books based on these criteria.Among the key recommended works are the national epic Kalevipoeg, written by one of the founders of Estonian literature, Friedrich Kreutzwald; A. H. Tammsaare’s novel Truth and Justice; the philosophical poetry of Jaan Kaplinski; and contemporary works, including Andrus Kivirähk’s novel The Man Who Spoke Snakish. These books offer deep insight into Estonia’s spiritual and artistic world, making the new literature corner an important platform for cultural dialogue between our countries.In recent years, cultural diplomacy has increasingly shifted from formal protocol gestures to deeper tools — the exchange of ideas, texts, and languages. In this context, bilateral literary translations become not just technical work but a mechanism for building trust, recognition, and lasting cultural ties. What role do translations of Kazakh works into Estonian and Estonian works into Kazakh play in cultural diplomacy and in creating long-term space for mutual understanding?— Works by Eduard Vilde, Juhan Smuul, Paul Kuusberg, and other Estonian writers were translated into Kazakh and published in Tallinn in the 1950s and 1960s.In turn, the jewels of Kazakh literature have also been translated into Estonian and offered to Estonian readers. In particular, along with the works of Abai, Ibrai Altynsarin, and Magzhan Zhumabayev, the works of Mukhtar Auezov, Gabiden Mustafin, Olzhas Suleimenov, Mukagali Makatayev, and other Kazakh writers were translated into Estonian and served as a bridge for spiritual rapprochement between the two peoples.One can see that the themes raised by Estonian authors resonate deeply with the ideas of Kazakh literature. For example, reflections on national awakening, justice, virtue, and humanity in the works of Friedrich Kreutzwald and Abai represent universal values. Jaan Kaplinski’s poetry can also be appreciated for its spiritual closeness to the lyrical reflections on human nature found in the works of Olzhas Suleimenov and Mukagali Makatayev.Thus, bilateral translations play a key role in cultural diplomacy and create opportunities to comprehend the literary wealth and language of another nation.What future cultural projects or joint initiatives do you plan to implement with the Estonian side?— For many years, we have been implementing creative projects and joint events with the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Estonia, the National Library of Estonia, and the Tallinn City Library.We have held Estonian Film Days with screenings of children’s and youth films, book-and-illustration exhibitions of Estonian authors, international conferences, and online round tables.We continue these initiatives and plan a visit to the National Library of Estonia for experience exchange, signing a bilateral memorandum of cooperation, and opening a Kazakh Literature Corner.The Estonian Embassy also plans to translate works of contemporary Estonian writers into Kazakh, publish a book, and organize meetings with writers at the National Academic Library.The opening was accompanied by an exhibition of comics illustrating key moments in Estonian literary history. Why was this format chosen, and how does it help engage young audiences?— Modern teenagers and young adults often respond more readily to visual content (social media, games, memes) than to traditional text, so comics stimulate interest in literature. The exhibition includes 12 vivid illustrations showing the 500-year history of Estonian printed books.In 2025, Estonia will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first book published in the Estonian language — the Small Catechism by Franz Witte, printed in 1525. Accordingly, the entire year has been declared the “Year of the Estonian Book” under the motto “A nation begins with a book.”The comics present the story of the burning of the first book, early Estonian language study guides, the first alphabet book, the first cookbook, books on education and journalism, stories about the declaration of independence, and more.The exhibition allowed us to present key plots and historical events vividly and clearly, making complex information easier to understand. Naturally, becoming acquainted with a work through illustrations often encourages readers to explore the original texts.In which other countries are Kazakh Literature Corners available?— Today, Kazakh literature centers operate in about twenty countries. In Russia, for example, a corner has been opened at the Russian State Library. In Georgia, similar spaces function in academic settings — at Tbilisi State University and at the Abai Study Room of Sukhumi State University. Earlier reports also mention the establishment of Kazakh literature corners in libraries in Beijing, Istanbul, Dubai, Kuwait City, and several other locations.The National Academic Library of Kazakhstan often becomes a venue for major international cultural events. What role do you see for the institution in strengthening cultural ties between countries?— The priority areas of international activity of the National Academic Library include establishing and strengthening international relations with foreign libraries, cooperating with international organizations, Kazakh embassies abroad, and foreign embassies accredited in Kazakhstan, as well as creating a positive image of the library and reinforcing its prestige.The National Academic Library of Kazakhstan is a member of the Library Assembly of Eurasia (LAE), participates in the Congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the Conference of Directors of National Libraries of Asia and Oceania (CDNL), and the international organization TURKSOY.Our international projects include opening centers and corners of Kazakh literature in national libraries abroad and creating foreign literature corners in our own library. The “World of Modern Spanish Literature” project is implemented jointly with the Embassy of Spain and the publishing house Foliant, introducing audiences to modern Spanish writers and providing opportunities for interaction with authors.The annual project “Creative Meetings with Russian Writers in Astana” enables Kazakhstani readers to explore contemporary Russian literature, ask questions, and enrich the library’s collection with new Russian publications (more than 1,500 books have been added). From 2023 to 2025, readers have met with Alexander Melikhov, Andrey Gelasimov, Andrey Korovin, Ragim Jafarov, Vera Bogdanova, Dmitry Gasin, Evgeny Chigrin, Lada Kutuzova, Yana Wagner, Natalia Lomakina, and others.The “Japan Culture Day at the Library” annually gathers more than 3,000 fans of Japanese culture, offering opportunities to experience Japanese traditions firsthand. The program includes origami workshops, Go lessons, calligraphy classes, demonstrations of traditional Japanese clothing, ikebana sessions, and more. The project is implemented jointly with the Kazakhstan–Japan Center for Human Resource Development and the Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan.The “Francophonie Spring” project is carried out together with the Embassy of France, aimed at bringing together admirers of the French language, promoting its use, and popularizing French and Francophone culture. As part of this project, a French Literature Corner was opened (2024).Staff internships in foreign libraries— Exchange of experience in the library field with national libraries of foreign countries is another important area. The project aims to provide international professional development opportunities for our staff across all areas of librarianship.Every year, library employees participate in overseas training programs to obtain additional education in librarianship and receive certification of acquired skills.Partners:— The National Library of the Republic of Korea. Young specialists of our library under 35 are invited annually for six-month training and bibliographic studies.— The Russian State Library. The “Library Collaboration of Young Specialists” project is held annually in two stages, providing participants with certificates of professional knowledge and practical skills.— The National Library of the Islamic Republic of Iran, supported by the Iranian Cultural Center in Kazakhstan. Our librarians have previously completed internships at the National Library and Archives of Iran, focusing on restoration and conservation of collections.A visit to the cities of Tehran and Qom is planned for May–June 2026 for our delegation to study the activities of the National Library of Iran and Al-Mustafa International University in Qom.— Libraries of the United States. Under the U.S. Embassy’s “Open World” program, Deputy Director Nurzhan Zholdybalinov completed an internship in U.S. libraries in February 2025.