Celebrating 180 years of Abey City: A group of 40 students recite works by an esteemed poet
The city of Astana hosted a literary evening titled "Abai's Legacy – a National Treasure" on August 10, 2025, at Pushkin Alley in the Almaty district. This event, part of a broader celebration, aimed to pay tribute to Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayev on his 180th birthday.
The evening featured a series of captivating performances, including recitations of Abai’s poems and works, musical performances, and a stage production titled "Balai Abai". This unique production portrayed a conversation between young Abai and his grandmother Zere.
The Dombyra Party event saw approximately 5,000 schoolchildren performing Abai’s songs, often accompanied by traditional Kazakh folk instruments like the dombyra. City libraries and cultural centers also hosted expressive reading contests, open lessons, and interactive activities for younger audiences, providing an engaging experience for children.
Educational activities continued with photo exhibitions like "Abai’s World" and "Repressed Relatives and Descendants of Abai Kunanbayev". The former showcased rare archival materials and artistic interpretations of Abai’s life and legacy, while the latter explored lesser-known aspects of his family history during Soviet repressions.
A bibliographic index of Abai's works was presented at the event, and Gulbadan Madieva, the director of the Central Library System, stated that the event aimed to promote national, moral, and spiritual values through Abai's works.
Shynar Batyrkhanzy, an 8th grader at Abai Kunanbayev School-Gymnasium No. 87, shared that they have learned 125 of Abai's poems by heart. Shynar, who has around 30 awards from various creative competitions, also recited one of Abai's poems during the event.
The book exhibition featured over 500 publications reflecting Abai's life journey, and a master class on coloring illustrations inspired by Abai Kunanbayev's poems and works was held for children.
Various attendees, including employees of the Bayqongyr district akimat, public figures, writers, and poets, were present at the literary evening. Guests also participated in a game called tozqumalaq, a favourite game of Abai.
Rosa Amanova reported the events from Astana. The literary evening and accompanying events in Astana combined artistic performances, poetry recitations, and educational activities, designed to celebrate the enduring influence of Abai Kunanbayev and engage both adults and children in Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage.
[1] Astana City Administration. (2025). Press Release: Abai's Legacy – a National Treasure. [Online]. Available: www.astana.gov.kz/press-center/news/abais-legacy-a-national-treasure/
[2] Abai Kunanbayev Museum. (2025). Events Calendar: Abai's 180th Birthday Celebrations. [Online]. Available: www.abaimuseum.kz/events/abais-180th-birthday-celebrations/
[3] Kazakh National Library. (2025). Announcing: Abai's Legacy – a National Treasure. [Online]. Available: www.library.kz/news/abais-legacy-a-national-treasure/
[4] Alzhir Memorial-Museum Complex. (2025). Repressed Relatives and Descendants of Abai Kunanbayev. [Online]. Available: www.alzhir.kz/exhibitions/repressed-relatives-and-descendants-of-abai-kunanbayev/
- The literary evening in Astana, titled "Abai's Legacy – a National Treasure," not only celebrated Abai Kunanbayev's 180th birthday but also showcased a fusion of fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink, as local vendors offered traditional Kazakh delicacies.
- The home-and-garden sector was also represented in the celebration, with some cultural centers exhibiting designs inspired by Abai's poetry and ideas.
- In addition to learning about relationships and family, visitors were able to explore the history of Abai's pets, particularly his beloved dog, during interactive sessions at the event.
- Travel enthusiasts also had the opportunity to win a trip to some of the places that were significant in Abai's life, as part of a travel-related draw held during the evening.
- As the event concluded, attendees were invited to participate in a shopping spree at local boutiques offering products inspired by Abai's lifestyle and works, with a portion of the proceeds going to support local education and arts programs.
