On the 6th of May, on the Brazilian television channel TV-Supren Ambassador of Kazakhstan Kairat Sarzhanov presented first translated into Portuguese “Book of Words” by Abai Qunanbayuly, in the framework of the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the kazakh poet, thinker and founder of national literature.
During the presentation, Kairat Sarzhanov emphasized the importance of implementing the initiatives of the First President of Kazakhstan - Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev to preserve national identity, its own national code, promote cultural achievements, including abroad, as well as noted the role of Abai Qunanbayuly in the development of kazakh culture, the significance of the work “Book of Words”, in which the poet raises the problems of upbringing and national outlook, criticizes human shortcomings, urges people for work, enlightenment, advancements in science, compliance with law, the importance of unity of the people.
Special attention is paid to the article of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev “Abai and Kazakhstan in the XXI century”, devoted to the significance of the poet’s personality, its heritage for modern society. The presentation of the Portuguese-language edition of the book was accompanied by video about the solemn event held in this January in the kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan with the participation of the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the beginning of the celebration of the anniversary of Abai Qunanbayuly, as well as video frames and historical photographs about the life and work of the kazakh enlightener, landscapes and views of developing Kazakhstan.
The ex-Senator of the National Congress, the former Minister of Education of Brazil, Professor Cristovam Buarque, in his review of the book, appreciated the work, “filled with a myriad of aphorisms, praising the patriotism and courage of the human being that should be laid from an early age, the theme of love and duty to homeland, respect for elders”. He concluded that “the book from beginning to end keeps the reader in suspense so as not to miss the wise words about the meaning of life. The author, as it were, awakens the very thoughts that are sleeping within us - this is the role and skill of great poets, and he is one of the greatest in the world”.
“The Book of Words” was translated into Portuguese by the doctor of philology, professor of the University of São Paulo Edelcio Americo, who in 2019 worked on the translation of the book of the First President of Kazakhstan - Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev “Era of Independence” and launched by publishing house the Nova Alexandria, located in São Paulo. The work of Abai Qunanbayuly will be distributed among educational institutions and libraries of Brazil, which will allow the Brazilian public to get acquainted with kazakh enlightener more closely. The digital version is available for read and download from the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Brazil.
TV-Supren, founded by the ex-Senator of the National Congress, the head of the non-governmental organization “Planetary Union”, Ulisses Riedel, who participated in the VI Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in October 2018 in Nur-Sultan, releases educational and cultural content that promotes principles of humanism, solidarity, social justice, informing about achievements in the field of science and innovation, culture and art, environmental protection, etc.
