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Discovering Abai Qunanbaiuly: The legacy of Kazakhstan's poet, philosopher and musician
euronews (in English)
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27/11/2024
In this episode of Modern Nomads, we explore the enduring legacy of Abai Qunanbaiuly, Kazakhstan's greatest poet, philosopher and cultural figure. From literature to opera, his influence continues to shape Kazakhstan's modern identity.
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00:00
Welcome to Simi, in eastern Kazakhstan.
00:08
You might be wondering who the man behind me is.
00:11
To truly understand this country, we need to take a look at his story.
00:15
He shaped Kazakhstan's history and the Kazakh identity as we know it today.
00:20
Let me introduce you to Abay Kunanbayoglu.
00:28
The bustling university town of Simi is situated about 700 kilometers east of Astana.
00:34
It was here, in the 19th century, that Abay Kunanbayoglu studied and built the foundations
00:39
of his heritage as Kazakhstan's most cherished poet, social activist, musician and philosopher.
00:45
Today, the Abay Museum is dedicated to his legacy.
00:50
Walking through the nine halls of the museum, you can fully grasp the significance of this
00:54
great thinker, who is known as the founder of written Kazakh literature.
01:00
Abay's seminal book, Words of Edification, contained philosophical reflections and deep
01:05
thoughts tackling moral and ethical questions of the time.
01:10
Through his work, Abay aimed to modernize the Kazakh society through education, self-improvement
01:15
and cultural growth.
01:40
Renowned for seamlessly blending Eastern traditions with Western ideas that were modern
01:44
at the time, his works paved the path that Kazakh culture continues to follow to this
01:50
day.
01:51
Abay's poetry, which addresses universal themes such as love, friendship and justice,
01:57
had a significant impact.
01:59
I came to Astana to Nazarbayev University, where his works are still studied today.
02:05
A group of students from the university's poetry club read some of his poems for me.
02:19
Abay's poems reflect not only his personal issues, but also the societal issues of his
02:25
era.
02:26
Though written nearly two centuries ago, they continue to be a major source of inspiration
02:31
today.
02:44
The dedication of the students and the importance they place on Abay's work helped me understand
02:50
why he remains a legend in Kazakhstan today.
02:57
Abay's influence is also evident in music, particularly in opera.
03:04
The opera Abay, named after him, was created in 1944 by Hamidi and Shubanov, drawing inspiration
03:11
from his life.
03:27
Considered one of the most beautiful Kazakh operas, it has been performed in Kazakhstan
03:31
and abroad for 80 years.
03:34
It's part of the Astana Opera's repertoire, and Alam Buribayev, the great grandson of
03:39
Shubanov, frequently conducts it.
03:44
At the heart of this opera is a forbidden love story between two young people torn between
03:49
conservatism and reform, with Abay as their spiritual guide toward hope and freedom.
03:56
This story is a pretext to kind of reveal this conflict between the ancient society's
04:04
norms and the progressive thinking of Abay.
04:08
This opera, featuring some songs written by Abay himself, carries a unique and authentic
04:13
touch.
04:15
It is exotic in a way that it uses the Kazakh motifs which are new for the European ears,
04:21
but at the same time it's written like an opera in the tradition of European opera.
04:26
So like Abay himself is a sort of a bridge between Western and Eastern culture.
04:32
Abay's legacy lives on in modern Kazakh culture through literature, philosophy, and music,
04:40
which blend timeless values with fresh contemporary expression.
04:44
His influence, woven into poetry, books, and even opera, invites Kazakhs and visitors alike
04:50
to dive into the rich history of this country and its evolving creative spirit.
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