Today, the award ceremony for the winners of the annual literary contest "VIII Abay Readings," dedicated to the work of the great Kazakh poet Abay Kunanbayuly, was held at the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The event was attended by Darhan Kydyraly, a Deputy of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan; Altynai Askarova, Head of the Humanities Research Department of the Abay Academy Research Institute of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Turar Shaken, Director of the Republican Public Association "Kara Shanyrak", employees of the Presidential Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan, competition participants, teachers and students from schools, and media representatives.
Serik Sydykov, Deputy Director of the Presidential Center of Kazakhstan, highlighted the invaluable legacy of Abay Kunanbayuly, the founder of Kazakh classical written literature, and wished the participants good luck.
"In Abay's works, the themes of Man, Existence, and the Universe, as well as the Mystery of absolute truth, are ever-present. Abay's humanistic and enlightening thoughts, expressed in the Words of Edification, have become a wise guide for humanity as a whole and constitute the philosophical concept of the entire Kazakh people. The poet adheres to his systematic and established point of view on what it means to be a complete human being. That is why the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, stated: "The knowledge of Abay is the knowledge of oneself. And self-knowledge, constant growth, study of science, education is wisdom. Abay's legacy contributes to forming a new quality of the Kazakh nation,'" said Sydykov.
About 300 participants from across the country submitted their works to the contest, aimed at promoting Abay's literary legacy and fostering a reading culture and literary taste among the youth of Kazakhstan. The best ones were chosen among them.
The winners in various categories were as follows: "En kishkentai katysushi" - Zhanibek Tokaev, "Kөrermen kөzayymy" - Abdurakhman Imangali, "Uzdik arnau" - Nurdos Igambaev, "Kara sozdi kadirlegen" - Togzhan Kuanysh, "Abai ani Alemde" - Nazar Sagynysh, "Ustaz Onegesi" - Kanat Saduakasova.
The winners of the traditional contest were:
3rd place – Diana Bizhanova;
3rd place – Alina Abzalova;
2nd place – Alfinur Ermuratova;
2nd place – Symbat Satybaldy;
1st place – Aiganym Omirzhan.
The winners of the contest were awarded special diplomas and souvenirs.
