Ilyas Zhansugurov – one of the largest Kazakh writers of the 20th century, poet, playwright, publicist, translator and educator, who played a key role in the development of national literature and culture. His work became a reflection of the soul of the Kazakh people, its history, traditions and aspirations.

Born in 1894 in the Aksus volost, he was imbued with folk culture from an early age in a word, an epic, a song, which was subsequently reflected in his works. Zhansugurov’s literary career began in 1912, and already in 1917 poems “Saryarka” and “Tilek” were published in the magazine “Saryarka”. Since then, his work has become an integral part of Kazakh literature.

Zhansugurov was not only a talented poet, but also a deep researcher of national culture. His poems "Kui" and "Kuishi" glorify art dombra, a "Kulager" became a real encyclopedia of the life of nomads. In it, the author with incredible lyricism conveyed the tragedy of Akan Sera, who lost his faithful steed.

In addition to fiction, Zhansugurov was actively involved in educational activities, created textbooks, translated works of world classics, including Pushkin, Lermontov, Nekrasov, Mayakovsky, Heine and Hugo. He was the first chairman of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan, participated in the preparation of educational programs, critical articles and folklore collections.

But, like many talented Kazakh intellectuals of that era, his life was cut short tragically. In 1937  arrested, and in shot in 1938. They tried to erase his works from the memory of the people, but despite this, his poems and poems survived years of repression and remained immortal.

Today the name of Ilyas Zhansugurov occupies a worthy place in the history of Kazakh literature. His work continues to inspire, his lines resonate in hearts, and his contribution to the culture of Kazakhstan cannot be overestimated.