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A cultural evening dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the great Kazakh poet, thinker, and humanist Abai Kunanbayuly was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The timing of the event was symbolically aligned with important milestones in the national history of Kazakhstan – the country had recently celebrated Republic Day and the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty, marking the beginning of Kazakhstan’s path to independence.
The lecture on Abai’s life and creative legacy was delivered by the honored guest of the evening – Dr. Zifa-Alua Muratkzy Auezova, Doctor of Historical Sciences, cultural scholar, and granddaughter of the distinguished writer Mukhtar Auezov. In her presentation, she revealed the philosophical world of the great thinker, his views on personality, society, and moral values, eliciting keen interest and a profound response from the audience.
The participants of the evening noted that the spiritual legacy of Abai Kunanbaiuly resonates with the ideas expressed in the Address of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Nation, delivered on September 8, 2025. The Address particularly emphasizes strengthening the moral foundations of society, developing human capital, and promoting education – ideals to which the great thinker devoted his life. Abai called for justice, hard work, honesty, and the pursuit of knowledge, seeing these as the basis for the spiritual growth and well-being of the nation. These principles remain relevant today, serving as a moral compass for contemporary Kazakhstan.
During the creative segment of the evening, representatives of the Kazakh diaspora and friends of Kazakhstan in the Netherlands performed Abai’s works, presented musical pieces on the dombra, and shared their reflections on the significance of his legacy in the modern world.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to Zifa-Alua Auezova for her inspiring lecture, as well as to the diaspora participants for their active engagement and contribution to the preparation of the event. Guests exchanged impressions, took commemorative photographs, and discussed future cultural initiatives aimed at promoting Abai’s heritage and developing humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands.