Abai’s legacy took on a distinctive sound in Baku. Works by the great Kazakh poet were performed on Abai’s three-string dombra, bringing together representatives of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkic organizations at a commemorative event, DKNews.kz reports.
The event marking the 181st anniversary of Abai Kunanbaiuly was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan. It was attended by representatives of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States and Azerbaijani Abai scholars.
“Kozimnin Karasy” Performed on Abai’s Three-String Dombra
One of the most memorable parts of the event was the musical program.
Young Azerbaijani musician Adnan Amirli performed Abai’s works “Kozimnin Karasy” and “Mai Tuni” on a three-string dombra associated with Abai.
In this way, the Kazakh poet’s legacy was presented in Baku not only through literature and academic study, but also through the musical tradition closely linked to his name.
Baku Has a Street Named After Abai
The commemorative event began with participants laying flowers at a memorial plaque dedicated to Abai Kunanbaiuly.
The plaque is located on a street named after the Kazakh poet, making Abai’s legacy a permanent part of Baku’s urban cultural landscape.
Yedil Myrzakhanov, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan, congratulated participants on Abai Day and highlighted the thinker’s contribution to the development of Kazakh culture, literature, education and public consciousness.
Abai Highlighted as a Figure of Importance to the Turkic World
Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, expressed gratitude to the people of Azerbaijan and the Baku city authorities for honoring the Kazakh educator.
She emphasized the symbolic significance of the street named after Abai in the Azerbaijani capital, linking it to the poet’s importance for the broader Turkic world.
This perspective places Abai’s legacy beyond bilateral cultural relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, presenting his work as part of the shared intellectual space of Turkic peoples.
Translations Have Expanded Abai’s International Audience
Speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, Bauyrzhan Datkayev drew attention to the fact that Abai’s works have been translated into numerous languages.
These translations allow international readers to discover Kazakh literature through one of its most prominent authors.
In Azerbaijan, local Abai scholars, researchers and cultural figures have also contributed to studying and promoting his legacy.
The commemorative event in Baku concluded where literature and music met: Abai’s works were performed on the three-string dombra. Earlier, we reported on how Abai Day was celebrated in Azerbaijan and the role his legacy plays in cultural ties between the two countries.
