On October 10, 2025, an evening of literature and music titled "Abai – The Guiding Light of the Nation" was held at Ablai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages. The event was organized by the Department of Kazakh Philology and the Center for the Development of the State Language as part of the celebration of the "Day of Languages of the Peoples of Kazakhstan" and in honor of the 180th anniversary of Abai Qunanbaiuly.
First-year students took part in the event, which aimed to promote and popularize the life and literary legacy of the great Kazakh poet and thinker.
The literary and musical evening was opened by the Head of the Department, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor B. Q. Akkozina.
Gulzhan Sarsenbekkyzy Eginbayeva, Head of the Department of Ideology and Social Development, shared her warm wishes and expressed appreciation for the successful organization of the event.
The literary and musical evening, consisting of four parts, opened with the first segment titled “Dedication to Abai”. In this section, Ayan Shoraev, a first-year student from the Faculty of Translation and Philology and a prize-winner of the national “Abai Readings” competition, recited his own poem dedicated to Abai.
Additionally, first-year students from the Faculty of Oriental Studies — Asiya Nurdaulet, Gulzada Shayakhmet, Merey Bekmukhanbet, Kulimkhan Konyratbayeva, Askat Nursaule, Aruzhan Amankoskizy, Nurdaulet Eszhan, Aruzhan Kairatkizy, Nurzhigit Razak, Gulzhayna Igilik, Nuray Izbastenova, and Arai Bekzhan — performed a staged reading based on Abai’s Book of Words (Qara Sozder).
In the second segment, titled “Abai – The Poet”, students from various faculties presented expressive readings of Abai’s poems, creatively adapting the characters and themes to reflect their interpretations.
Participants included: Faculty of Translation and Philology — Sabrina Israilova, Gyullar Alieva, Azada Bakhardinova, and Enlik Makhambet; Faculty of Foreign Language Pedagogy — Zhanel Kenesbayeva and Nurzat Marat; Faculty of Oriental Studies, majoring in Translation Studies — Serik Pirimbet and Aisu Baydullaeva; Faculty of Management and International Communication, Journalism major — Inzhu Sopukhan; Faculty of International Relations — Aknur Burambayeva and Tolganay Tasbolat.
Each student delivered Abai’s poetry with emotional depth and artistic expression, presenting the works in a fresh and creative manner.
In the third segment, titled “Abai – The Composer”, musical performances of Abai’s songs were presented.
Ayauym Serik, a student from the Faculty of Foreign Language Pedagogy, beautifully performed “Zhelsiz Tünde Zharyq Ai” (“The Bright Moon on a Windless Night”), Alima Onashkulova, from the Faculty of Translation and Philology, gave a heartfelt rendition of “Kózimnіń Qarasy” (“You Are the Light of My Eyes”), students of the Faculty of Management and International Communication — Raimbek Almenbayev and Bayan Ibraeva — performed “Aittym Sálem, Qalamqas” and “Zhelsiz Tünde Zharyq Ai” respectively, filling the room with the lyrical beauty of Abai’s melodies. In addition, Nadezhda Kaipkaliyeva performed the traditional küy (instrumental composition) “Erke Sylkym” with masterful expression, bringing the rich sound of Kazakh musical heritage to life.
In the fourth and final segment, titled “Abai and the 21st Century”, guests were invited to view a series of video REELS created by students from the aforementioned faculties. These videos featured interviews about Abai’s life, discussions on his cultural significance in modern-day Almaty, and informal conversations among students in their dormitories reflecting on Abai’s legacy.
The REELS were prepared by:
- the Faculty of Foreign Language Pedagogy: Rukhsara Vani, Dariya Sexenova, and Ayauym Ruslankyzy;
- the Faculty of Oriental Studies, majoring in Translation Studies: Alima Tanyrbergenova, Kamilla Khazitaeva, and Gulim Rakhmanaliyeva;
- the Faculty of Translation and Philology, majoring in Foreign Philology: Zarina Saduova, Altynai Umbetova, Tomiris Kulmurzina, Asylkhan Murat, Yasmin Abaeva, Valentina Usova, Eldar Yusupov, Gulfiza Aytakhunova, and Ekaterina Yugai;
- the Faculty of Management and International Communication, Journalism major: Makhat Nadirkhan, Bagdaulet Ertostik, Alibek Aslanov, Ilkhana Nasirollaeva, and Asfandiyar Musa;
- the Faculty of International Relations: Alinur Orazgali and Malika Bakhtiyar.
Through creative multimedia storytelling, students explored how Abai’s ideas, poetry, and cultural presence continue to resonate with younger generations in the 21st century.
In her closing remarks, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Zhaurezh Sharshybekkyzy Ernazarova spoke about Abai’s profound role in the life of the Kazakh people, emphasizing that the poet is truly a guiding light for the nation.
Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Zhanar Zhorabekkyzy Yesenaliyeva noted the students’ excellent preparation across all segments of the literary and musical evening. She highlighted how the performances — particularly the songs and instrumental pieces — deeply moved the audience. She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the colleagues and students who contributed to organizing the event.
As a parting gift, she presented her monograph “Abai and Eastern Languages” to the students.
The literary and musical evening successfully fulfilled its purpose. All participating students received Certificates of Appreciation.