Kassym Jomart Tokayev awarded a Turkish writer “Dostyk” order
In the capital of Turkey, Ankara, the Embassy of Kazakhstan held an event dedicated to the 175th anniversary of Abay Kunanbaiuly.
During the event, Abzal Saparbekuly, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Turkey presented the state award of Kazakhstan with the “Dostyk” II degree Order, awarded in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the famous Turkish poet, writer Zafer Kibar, who recently translated M. Auezov’s novel “Abai’s Way”.
In turn, Z. Kibar thanked President K. Tokayev and the people of Kazakhstan for the award, noting that Abay not only shared deep thoughts but also translated them into paper, leaving behind a rich legacy.
Speaking at the opening of the event, A. Saparbekuly spoke about the role of the great poet for the Kazakh people. He noted that “the knowledge of Abay is the knowledge of oneself”, and the poet’s deep thoughts formed the Kazakh identity.
The Kazakh diplomat also noted that Abay’s innovative thoughts both in literature and in public life have become examples of imitation for all subsequent generations of the Kazakh intelligentsia.
Namyk Zeybek, an Ex-Minister of Culture of Turkey stressed that Abay is the founder of modern Kazakh literature, and also noted the importance of the great poet for the entire Turkic world.
At the end of the event, a literary evening was held dedicated to the expressive reading of poems, poems, and words of edification of the great poet. Participants of the event were presented with an exhibition of portraits of the Kazakh philosopher.
The event was attended by Namyk Zeybek, ex-Minister of Culture of the TR , Yakup Omeroglu, President of the Eurasian Union of Writers as well as representatives of the local intelligentsia and diplomatic missions, the media, Kazakh youth studying in Turkey, etc.