The scientific-practical conference dedicated to the works of the great Kazakh writer Mukhtar Auezov was held in Riyadh

On September 26, 2023, as part of the promotion of the work of the great writer and playwright Mukhtar Auezov, the Embassy of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the Saudi Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge (CRIK), organized a scientific-practical conference in Riyadh.
In his address at the conference opening, H.E. Dr. Yahya Mahmoud bin Junaid, the Head of the Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge, noted the importance of this initiative to popularize the work of the outstanding writer and scientist M. Auezov in Saudi Arabia and expressed confidence that such events serve to mutual rapprochement the two countries’ peoples and strengthen cultural ties.
In his turn, H.E. Mr. Berik Aryn, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia, briefed about the work and life of M. Auezov, as well as about the events held in Kazakhstan and abroad to popularize the writer’s legacy and familiarize the world community with his work. In this context, the Ambassador noted that the outstanding Kazakh writer, playwright and scientist, professor, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR M. Auezov became famous among the general public thanks to his works - "Beauty in Mourning", "Orphan Share ", "Kokserek", "Karash-Karash" etc., the four-volume novel-epic "The path of Abai" brought him world fame.
At the same time, H.E. Mr. B.Aryn mentioned the symbolism of holding the Conference at the CRIK, where such kind of event dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the birth of the great Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayuly was held in 2020.
The scientific-practical conference was also attended by online speakers – Dr Samal Toleubaeva, the Professor of the Department of Oriental Studies of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Dr.Ykhtiyar Paltore, the Director of the Department of Science and Innovation at Nur-Mubarak University, Mr. Kairat Saki, former diplomat and Arabic orientalist. During their speeches, they shared research and views about M. Auezov’s contribution to the development of Kazakh literature and world cultural legacy, the role of the great poet Abay in the writer's work, the influence of classical Arabic literature on the formation and development of literature in Central Asia.
The conference participants received the reports of Kazakh scientists with great interest and gratitude.
Mr Abdalla Al-Saikhan, the Editor-in-chief of the magazine “Al-Yamama” and the famous Saudi poet, noted the paucity of information on the Internet about the biography and work of Mukhtar Auezov in Arabic and expressed gratitude for the interesting information about him.
Mr. Abdelaziz Al-Sakabi, the Editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Al-Arabiya”, proposed translating an anthology of Kazakh writers and poets into Arabic, starting with short stories and novellas.
In general, the representatives of the Saudi intelligentsia and the media highly appreciated the initiative of the Embassy and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be awarded the life and work of Mukhtar Auezov.
The participants noted that the work of such a prominent Kazakh writer is still unknown to the general Arab public and called on the public and private structures of the two countries to organize the translation of the most famous works of Kazakh and Saudi writers into Arabic and Kazakh languages and, first of all, the works of M. Auezov, including the novel-epic "The path of Abai".