Mukhtar Omarkhanovich Auezov is an outstanding Kazakh writer, playwright and scientist. Laureate Lenin (1959) and Stalin Prize (1949), Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR (1946). His epic novel “The Way of Abai” became a classic of world literature.

Born 28 September 1897 in the Shyngystau tract, Semipalatinsk region. Lost early parents and was raised by his uncle. In 1919 graduated from the Semipalatinsk Teachers Seminary.

In 1917 he staged his first play “Enlik-Kebek” in the yurt of Abai’s wife, Aigerim. Later he created his main work – the novel “Abai’s Path”, which reveals the life of Kazakh society for the second time half of the 19th century and the fate of Abai Kunanbayev.

The novel was translated into Russian by a whole group of translators, but the key work was done by Anna Nikolskaya. Her translation subsequently formed the basis for translations into 20 languages.

Mukhtar Auezov died 27 June 1961 in Moscow. His work continues to inspire readers around the world.