Abai has found a new voice in Brazil. In Rio de Janeiro, people who have translated his legacy into Portuguese, set his words to music, and introduced the Kazakh thinker to Brazilian audiences were honored, DKNews.kz reports.
The ceremony was held at the monument to Abai Kunanbaiuly in Leblon Park to mark the 181st anniversary of the poet’s birth. It was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Brazil together with the Kazakhstan–Brazil Friendship Forum.
A Brazilian Opera Was Created Using Abai’s Words
Among those honored was Luis Carlos Prestes Jr., a Brazilian writer, publicist, composer, and public figure.
According to the Embassy of Kazakhstan, he was the first to compose a Brazilian opera based on Abai’s words.
A certificate of appreciation was also presented to renowned opera soprano Julia Felix, who became the first performer of the Brazilian opera inspired by Abai.
This represents a distinctive form of promoting Abai’s legacy internationally: in Brazil, his works now exist not only in translation, but also as the foundation for a musical production.
Words of Edification Published in Portuguese
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Brazil Bolat Nussupov also presented a certificate of appreciation to Professor Edelcio Americo, Executive Secretary of the Kazakhstan–Brazil Friendship Forum.
He contributed as a literary scholar, translator, and editor to the Portuguese-language edition of Abai’s Words of Edification.
In 2025, the book was republished and presented as part of the Kazakh Library in Brazil project.
A Portuguese-language edition gives Brazilian readers direct access to Abai’s work without having to rely on an intermediary language.
Abai Monument Opened in Rio in 2023
Flowers were laid at the monument to Abai in a public park in Rio de Janeiro’s Leblon district.
The monument to the Kazakh poet was officially unveiled there in 2023.
The ceremony brought together representatives of the Rio de Janeiro municipal authorities, members of the region’s public, political, and intellectual communities, as well as members of the Kazakhstan–Brazil Friendship Forum.
Another certificate of appreciation was presented to Aloisio Maria Teixeira, a former member of Congress, businessman, public figure, and former Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Rio de Janeiro.
Cultural Diplomacy Marks 33 Years of Bilateral Relations
The awards were also linked to the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Brazil.
Established in 2022, the Kazakhstan–Brazil Friendship Forum brings together former politicians, business leaders, lawyers, representatives of public and political circles, and members of the media.
Over just a few years, several projects centered on Abai’s legacy have emerged in Brazil: a monument in Rio de Janeiro, a Portuguese edition of the Words of Edification, and a Brazilian opera based on his words.
The last of these is perhaps the clearest sign of how far the cultural dialogue has developed: the works of a Kazakh poet have become the basis for a distinctly Brazilian musical interpretation.
