An international scientific and practical conference entitled “Zhambyl and the Relevant Issues of the Modern Era” was held at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University to mark the 180th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Zhambyl Zhabayev.
The large-scale event was attended by Malik Otarbayev, Adviser to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Colonel General, Khalyk Kaharmany (People’s Hero of Kazakhstan) Sat Tokpakbayev; Gani Mailybayev, Deputy Akim of Almaty Region; Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board and Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Aziz Kazhdenbek, Head of the Youth Policy Department of Almaty; Meerim Kolbaeva, Head of the Department of Manas Studies, Folklore and Akyn Poetry at the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic; and Nasriddin Nazarov, a professor from Uzbekistan.
The conference also brought together renowned scholars, university rectors, heads of research institutes, historians, philologists, university faculty members, and students.
As part of the event, a special book exhibition was organized at the university library.
Exhibition Objectives
The purpose of the book exhibition is to commemorate the 180th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev, the great Kazakh poet, zhyrau, storyteller, and distinguished representative of the art of aitys, by presenting his life and creative journey and highlighting his significant place in Kazakh literature and national spiritual culture.
The exhibition aims to showcase Zhambyl’s literary legacy, the traditions of folk poetry, and scholarly research in the field of Zhambyl studies.
The main objectives of the exhibition are to:
Present information about Zhambyl Zhabayev’s life and creative career;
Introduce readers to the poet’s literary heritage in a comprehensive manner;
Highlight Zhambyl’s multifaceted talent as an aitys performer, zhyrau, storyteller, and poet;
Explore the thematic and artistic features of his works;
Introduce scholarly and research publications devoted to Zhambyl studies.
Exhibition Sections
- Zhambyl, the Titan of Poetry
This section features publications dedicated to Zhambyl Zhabayev’s life, his development as a poet, the formation of his creative identity, and his significance in the history of Kazakh folk poetry.
The exhibition will begin with a bibliographic index prepared by the Al-Farabi Library in honor of Zhambyl’s 180th anniversary, providing information about the poet’s life and creative legacy.
The section also features the following publications:
U. Kali zhanov, “Жамбыл, Жыр алыбы Жамбыл туралы талдама зерттеулер” — a research work examining the life and creative legacy of the great akyn.
“Жамбыл. Научно-информационный библиографический указатель о жизни и творчестве” / compiled by B. K. Nusipbekova et al. — a bibliographic publication containing information about the poet’s life and creative career.
“Жамбыл в изобразительном искусстве” (Zhambyl in Visual Arts) / album compiled by L. G. Plakhotnaya and N. A. Polonskaya, 1989. The album presents artistic, sculptural, and graphic works dedicated to the Kazakh poet, his life, and his activities.
A. N. Agybayev, “Жамбыл жырлаған батырлар” (Heroes Celebrated in Zhambyl’s Poetry) — a collection of research articles devoted to the heroes who defended their homeland. The book tells the stories of batyrs, including the renowned Karasai, who drew strength from the spirit of their people and devoted their lives to the struggle for the freedom and independence of the Kazakh nation.
S. Begalin, “Жамбыл” — a book devoted to the life and creative work of the great akyn Zhambyl Zhabayev. It explores the traditions of aitys, one of the most significant forms of Kazakh verbal art, highlights the social conditions and contradictions of the period, and illustrates the path toward the highest achievements of poetic mastery.
“Жамбыл әлемі ғасырға тең ғұмыр = Мир Жамбыла: жизнь, равная веку = Jambyl’s Time: Life of a Century”: photo album, 1846–1945, 1996, 191 pages. Published in Kazakh, Russian, and English, this album commemorates the 150th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev, a distinguished son of the Kazakh people and a great master of folk poetry.
Other publications revealing different aspects of the poet’s life and creative legacy are also included in this section.
- Suyinbay, My Master and Mentor
This section focuses on the creative personality of Suyinbay Aronuly, who had a profound influence on Zhambyl’s development as a poet.
Zhambyl held Suyinbay in the highest esteem and regarded him as his teacher and spiritual mentor. Suyinbay’s creative legacy is essential to understanding the origins of Zhambyl’s poetic mastery.
The section features the following publications:
“Сүйінбай” — selected works by Suyinbay Aronuly, compiled on the basis of collections published in 1935, 1975, and 1990. The edition includes artistic and textual analysis of selected tolghaus (philosophical and lyrical poetic reflections) and aitys performances.
Publications from the “Менің 100 кітабым” (My 100 Books) series, including “Сүйінбай. Алмас қылыш асынған” and “Бөрлі менің байрағым.”
Sultan gali Sadyrbayev, “Сүйінбай Аронұлы” — a publication intended for a broad readership interested in Kazakh verbal art and the creative legacy of this distinguished akyn.
Other books devoted to Suyinbay Aronuly’s life, works, and poetic heritage are also presented in this section.
- Sending Songs Beyond the Heights of Alatau
This section is dedicated to Zhambyl’s mastery of aitys, his art of improvisation, quick wit, expressive language, and oratorical skill.
The section features N. Torekulov’s “Алатау асқарынан жыр асырған,” a biographical essay covering Zhambyl’s life from his youth to the age of one hundred.
It also presents works from the “Менің 100 кітабым” (My 100 Books) series, including:
“Жапанға біткен бәйтерек” — a collection of poems dedicated to the creative legacy of Zhambyl Zhabayev, regarded as one of the last great representatives of the Kazakh oral poetic tradition.
“Жапанға біткен бәйтерек: өлеңдер, айтыстар, дастандар” — a collection featuring Zhambyl’s lyrical and philosophical poems, aitys performances, and historical and epic dastans.
“Халық – менің шын атым” (The People Are My True Name) — a collection of the poet’s poems, poetic compositions, aitys performances, and dastans.
“Туған елім” (My Native Land) — a collection of poems, aitys performances, and tolghaus.
Through works closely connected with the life and destiny of the people, this section reveals the social, historical, and spiritual significance of Zhambyl’s poetry.
- Zhambyl Studies: Research and Interpretation
This section presents scholarly works by literary critics and researchers who have studied Zhambyl’s life and creative legacy, as well as publications translated into other languages.
It introduces visitors to the history of research into Zhambyl’s works, the scholarly interpretation of his literary heritage, his place in Kazakh literature, and the spiritual legacy he left for future generations.
Special attention is given to publications reflecting how Zhambyl’s creative work was received and studied during different historical periods.
These include:
“Джамбул. Избранные стихи” (Dzhambul: Selected Poems) — translated by Pavel Kuznetsov, 1946.
“Джамбул. Путешествие на Кавказ” (Dzhambul: Journey to the Caucasus) — a 1938 publication featuring selected poems by the poet translated into Russian. The collection includes “Song of the Brotherhood of Peoples,” “Song of the Great Caravan,” “Song of Stalin’s Moscow,” “I Choose Stalin,” “Song of Rejoicing,” “The Soviet Union,” “Alma-Ata,” “Glory to the USSR in Song,” and other works.
O. A. Nurmagambetova, “Великий певец: к 125-летию со дня рождения Д. Джабаева” (The Great Singer: On the 125th Anniversary of D. Zhabayev’s Birth).
“Творчество Джамбула” (The Creative Legacy of Dzhambul) — a collection of articles, notes, and materials devoted to the poet’s life and work.
“Ұлы даланың ұлық жырауы: Жамбыл Жабаевтың 170 жылдық мерейтойына арналған” — a scholarly publication dedicated to the 170th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev, celebrating his status as one of the great zhyrau of the Great Steppe.
“Жамбыл әлемі және жамбылтану көкжиегі” — a monographic study exploring Zhambyl’s legacy and the development of Zhambyl studies.
“Жамбылдың айтыскерлік, жыршылық дәстүрі, ақындық мектебі” — a scholarly work examining two interconnected aspects of Zhambyl’s legacy: the traditions of aitys and zhyrshy performance, and the poetic school he established.
“Дастан ата” (Dastan Ata): memoirs about Zhambyl Zhabayev / compiled by N. Torekulov. Almaty, 1989.
The book “Дастан ата” brings together the recollections of renowned writers and cultural figures who personally knew Zhambyl, spent time with him, and had many conversations with him. The publication includes memoirs by M. Auezov, S. Mukanov, G. Musrepov, M. Karatayev, A. Tazhibayev, T. Zharokov, and other prominent figures.
