Kazakhstan is not only the steppe, nomadic spirit, and unique ethnic palette, but also a rich literary tradition that encodes the national code of the people. Through books, one can understand the philosophy of nomadic life, the depth of Kazakh worldview, and the values ​​of the Kazakh people. The question is: which works can serve as a guide for a foreigner encountering the country's culture for the first time? Today, Kazakh literature is more than just an artistic heritage. It is a mirror of national identity, spiritual quests, and historical memory. From folklore and classics to contemporary prose, each work reveals unique facets of Kazakh culture, making it accessible to a global readership. In an interview with Qazaq Culture, we speak with Gaziza Nurgaliyeva, Director of the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who has preserved and enhanced the country's spiritual wealth for over a century. We discuss books, translations, cultural diplomacy, and what is essential reading for anyone who wants to touch the heart of Kazakh culture. Cultural analysts note that a thorough understanding of the Kazakh world requires more than a superficial acquaintance with the facts of history or the people's way of life. It is more important to see how the people themselves understood their lives through words. Literature and oral tradition serve as a kind of "access code" to national identity. We know that tourists and visitors to the capital have always been interested in experiencing Kazakh culture through cuisine, history, and landmarks. What about literary heritage? Which books and authors, in your opinion, are key to understanding Kazakh culture for foreign readers?
- Thank you for the interesting question. Kazakh folklore is a key element. It is a kind of "genetic code" of culture, preserving not only poetic images but also the foundations of the worldview, moral guidelines, and life philosophy of nomads. Folklore is a mirror of national memory, where the values ​​that have shaped the people over the centuries are transmitted through tales, legends, myths, proverbs, and riddles. It is here that we find answers to questions such as how the Kazakhs perceived the world and their place in it, how they built relationships with nature and people, and what ideals they considered supreme.
Through oral tradition, we have been passed down ideas about courage and freedom, respect for elders and the sanctity of family ties, hospitality, and harmony with nature. It is not without reason that many researchers note that folklore can be considered a kind of "encyclopedia" of the people's spiritual life. It preserves mythological images and symbols that, when deciphered, allow us to understand the depth of the Kazakh worldview.
The work of Serikbol Kondybai, a researcher who successfully placed Kazakh mythology within a global cultural framework, is particularly noteworthy. His works not only explain the symbolism of ancient images but also allow foreign readers to view Kazakh culture not as a fragment of Asian heritage, but as an independent and unique layer of world civilization.

Secondly, historical and literary works occupy a special place, becoming key to understanding the national destiny through artistic expression. Mukhtar Auezov's epic novel "The Path of Abai" is not only a biography of the great poet but also a philosophy of the people, their spiritual quest, and internal contradictions at the turning point of an era. Abai's fate reveals the drama of an entire nation faced with the challenges of modernization and the preservation of traditions.
No less significant is Ilyas Yesenberlin's trilogy "Nomads," which for the first time presented Kazakh history in artistic form accessible to a wide readership. Here, historical events and the fates of batyrs are presented not as myth or legend, but as the living breath of the past, which shaped the character of the nation. For foreign readers, these works provide a bridge to understanding how modern Kazakh statehood emerged from the nomadic way of life.
Thus, Kazakh folklore and historical and literary works form two interconnected layers of cultural heritage. The former preserves archaic meanings, values, and archetypes, while the latter interprets them through the prism of historical events and artistic expression. Together, they create a holistic picture of the Kazakh world, allowing foreigners not only to learn facts but also to feel the spirit of the steppe, see the living face of the people, and understand their spiritual guidelines. This is precisely why these works can be called the key to a deep and comprehensive understanding of Kazakh culture and national identity. I am confident that foreigners should definitely begin their acquaintance with Kazakh literature with these works.
If folklore and major historical and literary works provide us with the foundation for understanding the national identity, then the next important aspect is how literature reveals the philosophy of nomadic life and the very character of the people. It's no coincidence that Kazakh culture initially developed in the steppe, where everything—from everyday life to worldview—was closely connected to nature, movement, and the ability to maintain harmony and honor. What, then, in Kazakh literature best conveys the philosophy of nomadic life, the national character, and the values ​​of the people?
Kazakh literature is the people's main spiritual treasure trove, reflecting their way of life, traditions, values, and character through artistic expression. It not only captures everyday life and experiences but also incorporates them into cultural memory.
This is especially evident in the works of Kalikhan Yskak, Kabdesh Zhumadilov, and Abish Kekilbayev. Their novels and short stories can be called a unique art gallery, revealing moral compass such as humanity, courage, and respect for tradition. The stories and novels of these authors are a unique art gallery, allowing the reader to gain a multifaceted understanding of the spiritual world, social, and personal life of the Kazakh people.
By reading Kazakh fiction, we gain a deeper understanding of our national values, traditions, and life experiences, and find the most effective ways to preserve and convey them to foreign audiences.
Returning to the foreign reader, if you were to compile a "golden list" of required reading for foreigners, which works would be included? Why these?
- If I were asked what "golden list" of literature a foreigner should read to understand Kazakhstan, I would name the epics "Koblandy Batyr" and "Alpamys Batyr," Abai's philosophical "Words of Edification" and Mukhtar Auezov's epic novel "The Path of Abai," and Ilyas Yesenberlin's "Nomads" trilogy. And from contemporary prose – Oralkhan Bokey and Dulat Isabekov. These books best convey the spirit of the steppe, the philosophy of nomadic life, and the character of our people.
 
Of course, this list could be expanded, but the results of the nationwide "100 Books" survey confirm that these works deservedly make the national "golden list." They are recognized as unique texts that comprehensively reflect the artistic level of Kazakh literature, its spiritual values, and historical and cultural heritage.
Familiarity with this rich body of literature not only shapes literary taste but also helps to deeply understand the national cultural code. Moreover, reading classic works is becoming an important tool for preserving and transmitting spiritual guidelines to future generations, and for foreign readers, the key to understanding the essence of the Kazakh people.
It is gratifying that in the age of digitalization and gadgets, many have not lost their interest in reading. How do you think the literary preferences of Kazakhstanis have changed over the past decades—what they used to read and what they read today?

It's no secret that in recent decades, readers' interest has shifted toward books on psychology, motivation, and personal development, and the rate of reading them has increased significantly. However, in recent years, a reverse trend has been observed—a return to fiction, which is gradually becoming a stable habit again. The diversity of readers' interests testifies to the richness of cultural development, the desire for knowledge and spiritual growth. And turning to fiction allows one to delve deeper into national and global literary heritage.

The resurgence of interest in fiction naturally raises the question: which contemporary authors and new genres today most vividly reflect the spirit of the times and are capable of attracting the attention of not only domestic but also international readers?

Contemporary Kazakh writers, inspired by world literature, are developing new genres—from detective fiction and science fiction to fantasy and comics. These genres help capture the spirit of the times and bring literature closer to the younger generation. This trend is especially noticeable in its synthesis with the film industry, where literature acquires new forms of expression.
At the same time, as we have already noted, artistic reworkings of Kazakh folklore and mythology can be of particular interest to foreign audiences. In a modern format, they sound vibrant and relevant, preserving national roots while opening up to the world through universal images and meanings.
Contemporary authors are increasingly seeking new forms of expression and ways to convey national narratives to a global audience. And here an important question arises: how well is Kazakh literature represented today in translations into English, French, Chinese, and other languages?
- History shows that the issue of translation has always played a key role in Kazakh literature and has developed quite productively at every stage. During the Soviet era, a high level of translation of world classics was achieved, and within the framework of the "Cultural Heritage" program, numerous translations were completed, revealing the richness of Kazakh literature to a wider audience. The National Translation Bureau has also made a significant contribution through the "Rukhani Zhangyru" program, which has successfully worked in recent years to systematically promote Kazakh literature.
Nevertheless, the translation of Kazakh literature into foreign languages ​​remains an unresolved problem. A lack of a systematic approach and quality control means that foreign readers often receive a distorted impression of our literature. If translations are done competently, professionally, and at the proper literary level, Kazakh literature will be presented to a global audience in all its natural beauty and profound thought.
You are absolutely right. Are there any plans, then, to expand translation projects or collaborate with international publishers to make Kazakh literature more accessible to the world?
- The library actively collaborates with foreign consulates and systematically expands and enriches its book collection. Going forward, we plan to develop stable and clear plans for collaboration with international publishers to ensure comprehensive and high-quality additions to our literary collection. These steps will not only strengthen the library's international cooperation but also make the best works of world literature accessible to a wider audience, opening new horizons for cultural exchange.
Note: The first part of the interview demonstrated that Kazakh literature is not only a rich heritage but also a vibrant contemporary art form seeking new paths to readers' hearts. However, we have only touched on a few topics. Even more important questions lie ahead: How is the National Library working to integrate Kazakh literature into the global cultural space? What are the ways to engage young people—both Kazakh and international—in the age of digital media? And what international projects help present Kazakh literature not only as text but also as part of a unique cultural experience? Read about this and much more in the second part of our interview with Gaziza Nurgalieva—the sequel promises to be even more informative and inspiring.