Books as a gift: In Almaty, writer Ilyas Yusuf donates more than 1,000 books to schools and libraries

Today, on the eve of International Children’s Day and the end of the academic year, a large-scale charitable cultural event featuring Kazakhstani writer, playwright, and public figure Ilyas Yusuf was held at the Alatau Creative Hub in Almaty. This socially significant initiative was implemented in support of the Head of State’s directives aimed at promoting a reading culture, enhancing the intellectual potential of the younger generation, and advancing the “Reading Nation” project.

The event, dedicated to fostering a culture of reading, promoting Kazakhstani literature among children and teenagers, and supporting educational institutions through the provision of contemporary books and historical comics, brought together representatives of the literary community and more than 100 schoolchildren.

Opening the meeting, Ilyas Yusuf congratulated the children on the holiday and emphasized the special significance of this day for him:

“Many years ago, when I was your age, on June 1, I sat in the very same chairs and listened to people who, just as I am doing today, gifted books to me. And now, standing in the same place, I am passing my own work on to you. I am sure that one day you, as the future generation, will also stand on this stage and share your creativity and achievements with future children”, the writer noted.

During the engaging literary and educational discussion, participants spoke with the author about his creative journey, literary pursuits, and future projects. The questions asked by the schoolchildren clearly demonstrated their strong interest in literature.

As part of the event, which marked the seventh anniversary of the author’s creative career, Ilyas Yusuf donated 200 books to children and presented more than 1,000 books in Kazakh and Russian to schools and libraries. Among the donated publications were the comic book “Kerey and Janibek,” dedicated to the history of the Kazakh Khanate, as well as the books “The Shadow of an Angel,” “Night Symphony,” “Me Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow,” “Life Through My Eyes,” and other works by the author.

The event became a significant contribution to strengthening reading culture among young people, supporting national literature, and promoting spiritual and moral values.