"In the quiet night, the moon's glow on the water ripples softly"
Celebrating Abai Kunanbayev's 180th Anniversary in Astana
From August 7 to 10, 2025, Astana is hosting a series of cultural and artistic events to commemorate the 180th anniversary of Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai Kunanbayev. The festivities, which began earlier in the year, offer a diverse range of activities for everyone to enjoy.
Key events include the Dombyra Party, where Abai's iconic songs are played on the Kazakh folk instrument dombyra. Over five thousand schoolchildren will also perform Abai’s songs, while photo exhibitions titled “World of Abai” can be found in the Saken Seifullin Museum and other venues.
Round-table discussions such as “Abai’s Wisdom” and lectures on “Forty Five Teachings of Great Abai” emphasize the contemporary relevance of Abai’s teachings. Open lessons, expressive reading contests, poetry evenings, and educational events are taking place across city libraries and cultural centers.
A special exhibition at the ALZHIR memorial museum called “Repressed Relatives and Descendants of Abai Kunanbayev” provides insight into Abai’s life and legacy. A literary event for the visually impaired titled “Abai great and unique.” ensures that everyone can participate in the celebrations.
An unusual portrait of Abai made from 3,000 Rubik’s cubes is on display in a shopping mall in Astana, adding a unique touch to the festivities. Ensembles have engaged in creative flash mobs and musical tours, with the women’s ensemble «Әжелер шаңырақ» performing Abai’s songs on a city bus route.
The event, which was organized jointly with the "Baykonyr" district akimat, the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, and the Department of Language Development and Archives, is a significant event in the cultural life of the capital. Poets of Astana recited Abai's works, and performances featured his songs and kuy.
The event also provided an open mic format for residents of the capital to recite Abai's poems and share their own creations. Notable performances included young singer Elai Halykbek singing "Közimniŋ qarası", "Jelsiz tünde jarıq ai", and "Honorary Culture Worker of RK" Kairat Aitbaev playing the kuy "Kökiekesti" by Tattimbet.
These activities constitute a broad celebration not only reflecting on Abai’s poetry and philosophy but also engaging varied audiences to honor his status as a national symbol in Kazakhstan. On August 10, an official flower-laying ceremony is planned, and concert programs will be held all day in front of the poet's monument. The celebrations are undoubtedly contributing to the development of Kazakh literature and art.
- The diverse range of activities for the celebration of Abai Kunanbayev's 180th anniversary in Astana also includes fashion-and-beauty events, as modeling shows showcasing traditional Kazakh clothing are scheduled throughout the festival.
- Amidst the cultural and artistic events, participants can take a break from the festivities and indulge in food-and-drink offerings at the various food stalls set up at the event, which will serve traditional Kazakh dishes.
- During the 4-day celebration, attendees can unwind and engage in travel experiences through virtual reality tours showcasing significant locations related to Abai Kunanbayev's life and work, creating an immersive and enriching experience within the home-and-garden environment of the cultural centers hosting the event.
