This year marks the 180th anniversary of the birth of the great Kazakh poet, thinker and educator Abai Kunanbayev. In his congratulatory address, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that Abai is a genius of global scale, whose spiritual heritage remains relevant for future generations.
"Abai is an outstanding personality who made an invaluable contribution to the development of our national culture. He awakened the self-awareness of the people, laid the foundations of new Kazakh literature, and expanded the horizons of our worldview. His ideas about honesty, hard work, education and devotion to the Motherland are a guideline for the formation of a new quality of the nation. Abai's legacy is the property of not only the Kazakh people, but of all humanity," the Head of State noted.
The poet's anniversary became a large-scale cultural event that united the country. The celebration lasted ten days and included concerts, exhibitions, festivals, scientific conferences and sports competitions. On August 1, Astana hosted a grand opening ceremony of the anniversary events. Among the guests were People's Artist of the USSR Bibigul Tulegenova, government and public figures, writers, poets, sports and art stars. The culmination of the evening was a theatrical prologue with the participation of Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Bolat Abdilmanov in the image of Abai.
The legends of the Kazakh stage Roza Rymbaeva, Tokzhan Zabirova, Gulmira Sarina, Erlan Ryskali and Ushkyn Zhamalbek performed on stage.
Abai Akademiasy Portal
In Semey, in the Es-Aimak spiritual center at the M. Auezov Music and Pedagogical College, the first encyclopedic portal dedicated to the work of Abai was presented.
The platform contains his works - poetry, prose, journalism, letters - with textual analysis, as well as archival materials, television and radio broadcasts and documentaries. The portal is intended to become a popular science source for young people and anyone interested in the poet's work.
Exhibition of Ansagan Mustafa
The artist Ansagan Mustafa presented her author's exposition "Konilge turli oy salar", which she worked on for a year and a half. In 58 works, she reflected Abai's key themes - harmony of mind, heart and will, honor, work, desire for knowledge, spiritual perfection. Each picture is accompanied by quotes from poems and "Words of Edification". National Record: "Abai QUIZ"
For the first time, 180 teams from 10 regions took part in the republican intellectual tournament "Abai QUIZ" - a total of 1080 young experts. The game was included in the Book of Records of Kazakhstan. The prize fund was 4.7 million tenge, and the winners received 1 million tenge.
Cultural events in the Abai region
Ethno festivals, concerts and exhibitions were held in Semey and the regions. An ethno village with yurts, theatrical performances and tasting of national dishes was set up on Beibitshilik Island.
A musical evening "Abai Zholy" was held with the participation of composer Seken Turysbekov and the orchestra "Ak Zhauyn". Songs and kyuis based on the poet's poems were performed in the literary and musical program "Abai Alemi". Abai in Translations and International Resonance
Within the framework of the international poetry festival "Adamzattyn barin suy, bauyrym dep..." Abai's works were translated into 15 languages of the world. Poets and writers from Europe, America, Africa and Asia took part in the event.
Science and Creativity
The international conference "Adamzattyn Abaiy: ruhaniyat, parasat, tanym" brought together scientists from Kazakhstan, Turkey, the Netherlands, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Nine new publications about Abai were presented within its framework.
Aitys "Adamzattyn Abaiy"
The republican competition of aitysker duels brought together 12 poets from all over the country. The main prize - a car - was received by Maksat Akanov from Karaganda.
Zheti Kazyna Festival
A three-day festival was held in the village of Karauyl, which included national games, equestrian competitions, a togyzkumalak tournament, and a 180 km ultramarathon.
Abai Day — August 10
The celebration ended with large-scale gala concerts in Semey and Karauyltobe. The country's main venues featured Abai's songs and works about him performed by leading artists of Kazakhstan. The final chord united tens of thousands of spectators in a single choir — as a symbol of national unity and love for national culture.