On August 10, Kazakhstan will celebrate Abai Day. Over 350 cultural, scientific, educational, and sporting events have been prepared across the country to mark the 181st anniversary of the birth of the great poet, thinker, educator, and composer Abai Kunanbayuly.
Abai's legacy has received widespread international recognition. In 1995, the poet's 150th anniversary was celebrated under the auspices of UNESCO. His literary, philosophical, and musical works, as well as his ideas on knowledge, labor, justice, and morality, retain particular significance today.
Key events within the national program are being held at the venues of organizations subordinate to the Ministry of Culture and Information.
The day before, on August 7, the National Academic Library hosted the international scientific and practical conference "Abai's Life – His Life," dedicated to the study and popularization of the thinker's legacy. The National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty hosted the intellectual quiz "Uly Halyktyn – Uly Abaiy," and the National Museum hosted the museum lesson "Abai's Life – Urpaqqa Amanat" and the themed tour "Abai's Life – Könenük Közï," dedicated to the life, work, and ideas of Abai.
A special program has been prepared by the Abai State Museum-Reserve in Semey. On August 10, the exhibitions "The Era of Abai: Documents and Memories" and "The World of Abai in Fine Arts" will open, along with a literary quest, an Abai Song Festival, and a flower-laying ceremony at the "Abai and His Sons" monument. Thematic projects have also been prepared by the Abylkhan Kasteyev National Museum of Art, the National Central Museum, the Berel and Tanbaly Museum-Reserves, and other institutions. Theaters and film organizations will present music and video projects, works by Abai, and excerpts from productions based on his work. On August 10, Almaty will host the official premiere of the documentary film "Algashi Kitap," commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Information with the support of the State Center for National Cinema Support.
The international program will also extend to Beijing. On August 10, the Cultural Center of Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the Jintai Museum, will host a roundtable discussion, "Abai – Uly Tulga," dedicated to the thinker's literary and philosophical legacy and the promotion of his ideas abroad.
An extensive program has been prepared in Astana. From August 8 to 10, the Writers' Alley will host a poetry evening, "Oleң sөzdің patshasy...," and karaoke featuring Abai's songs, "Ondі sүyseң, menshe sүy," will be held in city parks. Young authors from various regions will be brought together by the national forum "Soz Onerі. Zhasampaz Zhas Qalam." Literary and musical evenings, lectures, quizzes, and book exhibitions will also be held.
Literary, museum, and educational programs will continue in Almaty. Poetry and educational events will be held in Shymkent, and the Khakim Abai Museum will host an open day, a thematic exhibition, and tours.
Aytys (literature poems), concerts, performances, "Abai Oqulary" competitions, poetry readings, exhibitions, and educational projects are planned in the regions. The Abai region will host the national ultramarathon "Abai Joly – 100 Miles" on August 8-9, and the poetic aytys "Adamzattyn Abaiy" (literary poems) will take place on August 10. The festive program will cover regional centers, cities, districts, and rural communities. On August 10, flower-laying ceremonies at Abai Kunanbayuly monuments will be held in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and regional capitals, with participation from creative intellectuals, cultural figures, youth, and the public.