Abai Recognized Worldwide: A Spiritually Inspiring Essay Contest Held in Almaty

At the Central City Library named after A.P. Chekhov in Almaty, an essay contest titled “Abai Recognized Worldwide” was held to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the great Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Qunanbaiuly. The event was part of a thematic ten-day program organized by the Almaty City Centralized Library System.

Library staff members participated in the contest, expressing their deep respect and love for Abai’s legacy through their essays. The participants portrayed Abai as a global intellectual figure, highlighting the core values of his work — humanism, the pursuit of knowledge, diligence, and national consciousness.

Among the honored guests of the event were poet and public figure Almas Akhmetbekuly, journalist and editor Alma Serikkali, editor Amangazy Karipzhan, and renowned violinist Zhamilya Serkebayeva. The guests highly praised the quality of the submitted works and noted the participants’ creative perspectives. Zhamilya Serkebayeva’s musical performance served as a moving finale to the evening.

The winners of the contest were awarded diplomas and commemorative gifts. Both participants and guests emphasized the high level of organization and acknowledged the event’s contribution to the spiritual development of young people. This contest once again demonstrated how Abai’s legacy continues to inspire new generations toward deep thought and love for their nation.