“When we talk about Kazakh culture and music, first of all we remember the great poet, thinker and composer Abay Kunanbayev. He left a bright mark in the history not only of the Kazakh people, but the entire Turkic world. It is no coincidence that the first President of Kazakhstan Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev described the poet as a “guiding star”. Great leader Heydar Aliyev at an event held in honor of the 150th anniversary of Abay called his creativity the pride, happiness of the Kazakh people and noted that it undoubtedly belongs to all mankind, including the Azerbaijani people. The memory of Abay Kunanbayev is always honored in Azerbaijan. In 2011, by the order of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, one of the streets of Baku was named after Abay. In the same year, the Abay Center began its activities at the Baku State University. Over the years, the memory of Abay was immortalized in our other Turkic-speaking countries: Hungary, Uzbekistan, Turkey, as well as in various countries of the world, monuments were erected in honor of the poet. Research and popularization of the cultural heritage of the outstanding personalities of the Turkic-speaking peoples is one of the main priorities of the Foundation, therefore, the study and preservation of Abayʹs rich creativity in this direction is of particular importance for the organization. Within the framework of projects related to Abay, a completely new and original book dedicated to the poet is currently being prepared by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.”
President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva uttered these words on August 10 at the event dedicated to the Abay Day and the cancellation ceremony of postage stamps issued by the Foundation in Spain in honor of the 175th anniversary of the great poet, writer, composer, public figure of Kazakhstan and the entire Turkic world, the founder of the modern Kazakh writing Abay Kunanbayev.
At the ceremony held at the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Gunay Afandiyeva noted that last year postage stamps dedicated to the 175th anniversary of Abay Kunanbayev and the 135th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli were issued and put into circulation in Spain.
Speaking at the event Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Serzhan Abdykarimov highlighted the creativity of an outstanding thinker and public figure, about the deep respect and esteem demonstrated to him in the Turkic world, as well as about the work done in different countries to perpetuate memory of Abay. Emphasizing that the great poet left an indelible mark on the history of Kazakhstan, the ambassador noted that Abay is spiritual food not only for the Kazakh people, but for all mankind.
He also stated that the start of the anniversary year was given by the publication of President of the Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev “Abay and Kazakhstan in the 21st century”, which revealed the relevance of the rich heritage of Abay. The Ambassador stressed that the postage stamp issued by the Foundation on the occasion of the jubilee is another expression of respect for the memory of the great poet and musician.
Then the postage stamp cancellation ceremony took place. Abay’s stamps pasted on the envelope were signed and sealed by the President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva and the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Azerbaijan Serzhan Abdykarimov.
The publication of stamps by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation is aimed at familiarizing a wide international audience with the rich creativity of an outstanding representative of the Turkic world. Postage stamps with the image of Abay Kunanbayev and samples of poetic and musical art reflect the poet’s multifaceted activity.
The event was attended by ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan and diplomats of various countries, deputies, scientists – abaeologists, as well as well – known figures of culture and art.
Participating in the artistic part of the ceremony honored Artist of Azerbaijan Shovgi Huseynov, artist of the Kazakh National Academy of Arts Akberen Atabay, artists of the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Nazrin Aslanli and Yulia Matorina, as well as young performer Amina Nurmukhammedova, accompanied by national musical instruments performed songs and poems of Abay Kunanbayev.
Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency