Exhibition “Abai’s Legacy — the Wisdom of the People,”
The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted the ceremonial opening of the exhibition “Abai’s Legacy — the Wisdom of the People,” dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the birth of the great figure of Kazakh literature, poet, and philosopher Abai Kunanbayev. The event was organized by the Abai State Historical, Cultural, Literary, and Memorial Museum-Reserve “Zhidebay-Borili.”
Distinguished guests from the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan attended the opening ceremony, including Abai’s distant relative, Laila Baymagambetova Mukhliskyzy.
The exhibition features valuable artifacts related to the life and creative work of Abai Kunanbayev. Among them are the poet’s personal belongings, such as the “Tumar” dombra, asatayak, sybyzgy, torsyk, wooden vessels, and the traditional game togyzqumalaq, as well as manuscripts written in Abai’s own hand and literary works dedicated to him. Visitors can also view Abai’s first collections of works published in Saint Petersburg in 1909, Kazan in 1922, and Kyzylorda in 1933.
Alongside museum relics associated with Abai, the exhibition presents works by renowned Kazakh artists and writers. These include A. Galymbayeva’s painting “Abai Writing Poetry,” works by K. Shukirbek titled “A. Kunanbayev” and “Sh. Kudaiberdyuly,” illustrations inspired by Mukhtar Auezov’s novel “The Path of Abai,” as well as B. Smakova’s artworks “Grandmother Zere” and “Abai’s Childhood,” which add significant artistic value to the exhibition.
The exhibition also displays replicas of Abai’s belt and chapan, photographs, archival materials, and memoirs about his life and legacy. The exhibition will be open to residents and guests of Astana for one month, offering a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Kazakh literature and the profound creative world of Abai.
