Kazakhstan marks 85th anniversary of people's writer Abish Kekilbayev
Today Kazakhstan marks the 85th anniversary of Abish Kekilbayev, people’s writer of Kazakhstan, Hero of Labour of Kazakhstan, prominent statesman and public figure, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Abish Kekilbayev was born December 6, 1939 in Mangistau region’s Ondy village. When he was 3-years old, his father went to war and never returned. His family learned about Kekilbay’s death only several years later. The future writer was raised and educated by his mother Aissaule Zhumabaykyzy. In one of his interviews, Abish Kekilbayev confessed that he had never thought about becoming a writer, despite his love of literature from childhood.
“I was born in economically backward Mangistau region. We lived in isolation; mail arrived only a few times a year. My first desire was to see changes in my native land. Then I dreamed of becoming a geologist, because geologists often came to Mangistau. I even participated in geological expeditions. But the love of literature and poetry did not leave me, and sometimes I wrote poems. But I didn't think I would become a writer,” he said.
In 1957, he was admitted to the Philology Faculty of the Kazakh State University, where led a literary association. In the final year of his study, he started working for the Qazaq Adebieti (Kazakh Literature) newspaper, making his first step in literature. In 1962-1965, he was appointed head of a department at the Leninshil Zhas (Lenin Youth) newspaper. Later he worked at the Ministry of Culture of the Kazakh SSR and then underwent two-year military service in the Soviet Army.
Along with his writing activity, Abish Kekilbayev held various high-ranking positions such as Editor-in-Chief at the KazakhFilm Studio, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Kazakh SSR, 2nd Secretary of the Board of the Union of Kazakhstan Writers, Chairman of the Central Council of the Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments, as well as chief of department at the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan.
In 1992-1993, he was Editor-in-Chief of the Egemen Kazakhstan Newspaper. From 1993 to 1995 and from 1996 to 2002, he was the Secretary of State of Kazakhstan. In 2002, he was elected a deputy of the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament. He was also elected twice to the Supreme Council and once to the Majilis on alternative basis.
On September 27, 2024, Aktau hosted an international conference to celebrate the writer’s 85th anniversary.
Chairman of the Majilis Yerlan Koshanov, who participated in the conference, read out a letter of congratulation on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
“Abish Kekilbayev is a person who made an invaluable contribution to the establishment of our independence and strengthening our statehood. He held high-ranking positions with honor and selflessly served his people. He had always put the interests and unity of the nation above all else. His patriotism, wisdom, desire for knowledge and hard work can serve as an example for the younger generation. His rich spiritual heritage, undoubtedly, is a value guide for coming generations,” the letter reads.
Abish Kekilbayev is a true multifaceted talent. He was a playwright, poet, translator, critic, and his contribution to the Kazakh literature and culture cannot be overestimated.
He also left a bright, indelible mark in politics and life of the country. His first collection of poems" Altyn Shuak" was published in 1962, and the second collection of poems titled as "Bir Shokim Bult" was published in 1965. In 1982, he published a collection of stories "Shynyrau". The novels "Urker" (1981) and "Elen-Alan" (1984) were awarded the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR.
The novels "Anyzdyn Aqyry", "Elen-Alan", "Urker" and "Shynyrau" became true masterpieces inspiring and awakening pride and fortitude in people, impressing with their deep philosophical thought and immeasurable spiritual power.
In 2009, the writer published his five-volume book "Syr Deste", a collection essays, memoirs, and reflections, which made a profound impact on the nation’s cultural heritage.
Many of his works were translated into several foreign languages, while his translations hugely contributed to the familiarization of the Kazakh readers with the greatest works of the world literature.
Abish Kekilbayev translated classics like Guy de Maupassant’s "Pierre and Jean", "Life", Leo Tolstoy’s "War and Peace", and Chingiz Aitmatov’s "The Early Cranes" into Kazakh. His translations became a bridge connecting various cultures and enriching the Kazakh literature with the global masterpieces.
In 2018, the National Academic Library of Kazakhstan opened a reading room named after Abish Kekilbayev.
Earlier, in September, Aktau hosted an international research-to-practice conference to mark the 85th anniversary of Abish Kekilbayev.
