Alash Zholy: modern appreciation of political history in Kazakhstan
Documentary drama performance “Alash Zholy” about the Alash movement and its members, was held in the State Theater of Drama and Comedy named after Azerbaijan Mambetov on March 19, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
"Alash Zholy" by author Kanat Zhunisov and director Kuandyk Kasymov, which tells about these difficult periods at the beginning of the 20th century, was staged on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Alash movement and the 150th anniversary of Akhmet Baitursynov.
The Alash Orda, or the Alash Autonomy, stands as a beacon of national identity and political aspiration. Founded in the early 20th century during a period of immense societal upheaval, the Alash movement sought to assert the Kazakh autonomy and preserve its cultural heritage amidst the turbulent currents of geopolitical change.
Led by figures such as Alikhan Bokeikhanov, Akhmet Baitursynov, and Mirzhakyp Dulatov, the Alash movement articulated a vision of autonomy within a federative Russia, advocating for political representation, linguistic rights, and the preservation of Kazakh traditions in the face of Russification policies.
In contemporary Kazakhstan, the Alash Party, though no longer the dominant political force, remains an emblem of Kazakh pride and resilience. The ideals championed by the Alash movement – autonomy, cultural preservation, and national self-determination – continue to inform discussions on Kazakhstan's place in the modern world, shaping debates on issues such as language policy, ethnic relations, and the balance between tradition and modernity.
The performance, written on the basis of historical events, portrays the struggle and fate of the characters led by Bokeikhanov on the way to freedom. A work that strengthens national spirit and educates the generation to love the motherland, shows courage and patriotism. The author, Zhunisov, describes: “Tense events reach a climax through fresh directorial decisions. The civilian personality of the leaders of the national liberation movement leads the audience through acting skills. This is a play that covers the theme of Alash on a wide scale.”
As a vanguard of Kazakh identity and autonomy, the Alash movement laid the groundwork for the emergence of an independent Kazakhstan and continues to inspire efforts to safeguard the nation's cultural heritage and political sovereignty in the 21st century. “Alash Zholy” is one of the great examples of preserving and appreciating historical knowledge through the art of theater and a modern outlook.
