Exploring Abai's Poetry: Can It Resonate with You As It Did with Me?
Celebrating the Legacy of Abai Qunanbaiuly: A Pillar of Kazakh Culture and Literature
Abai Qunanbaiuly, a towering figure in Kazakh culture and literature, is celebrated as the founder of modern Kazakh written literature and a key national poet, philosopher, educator, and public thinker. Born on August 10, 1845, Abai's 180th birthday was marked in 2021, a testament to his enduring influence on Kazakhstan and beyond.
Abai's literary contributions were groundbreaking, as he broke away from the exclusively oral tradition of Kazakh poetry to introduce new meters, rhyme schemes, and poetic forms. His body of work, which includes around 170 original poems and 56 translations, has deeply shaped Kazakh cultural identity by blending traditional Kazakh oral wisdom with new ideas from Russian, Western, and Asian philosophies, fostering a sense of nationalism and cultural awakening among Kazakhs.
One of Abai's most famous poems, learned by many Kazakh students in their first grade, is a loose translation of: "Don't be too captivated by everything / If you are an artist, be brave. / You, too, are a brick in the world, / Find your niche, go, stay!" This poem's message, encouraging self-discovery, understanding one's value, and courage, remains relevant and profound even today.
Abai's works sought to uplift ordinary Kazakh people through education, science, and cultural enrichment, promoting progressive reforms in Kazakh society while respecting traditional values. His writings encouraged self-reflection and virtue, making him both a literary and moral guide for Kazakhs.
The impact of Abai's works is often only understood through life experience. Many Kazakhs remember their first encounter with Abai's poetry in school, where they had to memorize verses as a compass for stepping out into the world. The profoundness of these verses was not always understood until after graduating from university.
Abai's messages are universal, but his expressions are deeply rooted in the Kazakh spirit and language. Mentioning Abai, alongside other famous Kazakhs, when meeting someone from Kazakhstan can leave a lasting impression. His monument is not just a physical structure but is deeply ingrained in Kazakh life, passed down through generations in phrases, poems, wisdom, and recognizable lines.
In Kazakhstan, Abai Day is celebrated on his birthday to honour his legacy. Internationally, his cultural influence is promoted through events such as the Abai Readings in Helsinki, underscoring his role in shaping Kazakh spiritual and moral values and his contribution to cultural diplomacy.
Abai saw pen and paper as his only solace in his later years. He wrote for the Kazakh people, not with a sense of superiority, but out of regret for the waste of lives on superficial matters. His words, if not needed by others, were for himself only. Abai's monument is not just a physical structure but a living legacy that continues to inspire and guide Kazakhs.
References:
- Abai Qunanbayuly. (n.d.). Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abai-Qunanbayuly
- Abai. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Iranica. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/abai
- Abai. (n.d.). The Kazakh Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.encyklopediakazakhistan.kz/ru/encyklopediya/abai
- Abai Qunanbayuly. (n.d.). The Asia Foundation. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://asiafoundation.org/resources/articles-analysis/abai-qunanbayuly-kazakhstans-national-poet/
- Abai Readings. (n.d.). The Finnish Cultural Institute in Kazakhstan. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.finlandkazakhstan.org/en/event/abai-readings-2022/
- Abai Qunanbaiuly's works, groundbreaking in their blending of traditional Kazakh wisdom with new ideas from various philosophies, have had a profound impact on not only Kazakh cultural identity but also broader aspects of Kazakhstani lifestyle, including fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and relationships.
- His messages of self-discovery, understanding one's value, and courage, as expressed in his poetic works, resonate with the principles of education-and-self-development and personal-growth, encouraging Kazakhs to strive for improvement in all aspects of their lives.
- The travel sector in Kazakhstan pays tribute to the legacy of Abai Qunanbaiuly, with tourist attractions showcasing his life and works, providing opportunities for travelers to learn about this influential figure and immerse themselves in Kazakh culture.
- Abai Qunanbaiuly's influence extends beyond Kazakhstan, with his works being translated into several languages and his contributions to literature, philosophy, and culture contributing to the global fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and travel sectors, inspiring intellectual and cultural growth worldwide.
