Kazakh classics in Norwegian for the first time

Abai Kunanbaev (1845-1904) is known as the father of modern Kazakh literature. His collected works were first published in Saint Petersburg in 1909, and later translated into many languages. His Book of Words (Qara Sozder) is part of the world's literary heritage.

A selection of Abai's poems and all of his Book of Words has now been published in Norwegian, translated by the Tajik author and literature professor Lutfiya Boboyorova. The book is published by Sirkel publishing house with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Norway. Chief editor Åshild Kolås has contributed with a short biographical chapter.

— Abai wrote about life on the Kazakh steppe, Kolås says. He became acquainted with Russian opposition figures living in exile in the city of Semipalatinsk. Like his Russian friends, Abai was a strong social critic, but he was primarily concerned with existential issues.

— Abai was a great connoisseur of literature, Boboyorova explains. He was inspired by everything from Eastern classics such as Firdausi, Nizami and Nevai to Russian masters such as Lermontov, Tolstoy and Pushkin and Western writers like Goethe and Heine. He wrote about timeless questions that are as relevant today as they were 120-150 years ago.

A culturally historic book launch will take place at Litteraturhuset, Monday 28 June at 3PM.

Place: Nedjma/virtual

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/WpzoC6Gb

Registration: https://sirkelforlag.no

Visit Sirkel Forlag at the virtual London Book Fair 2021 21 June – 1 July at Independent Publishers Guild