"Book of Words" by Abai has been published in Israel
Honouring the 175th anniversary of the great Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayev, the Israeli "Beit Nelly" publishing house for the first time printed his "Book of Words" in Hebrew. The publishing house has been dealing with works of Israeli authors for 20 years. It also cooperates with foreign diplomatic missions.
The book was translated into Hebrew by Polina Brookman, who specializes in translating many literary works. She first encountered the translation of Abai's book and emphasized his rich language, which was sometimes difficult to adapt for a modern reader. The translator noted that through the Words she had the opportunity to get acquainted with culture of the Kazakh people. P. Brookman hopes to translate other works of Abai in future.
Well-known “Haaretz” newspaper recently published a special material about the Abai’s phenomenon, based on the article of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Earlier, the Embassy of Kazakhstan has presented the works of Abai to the Hebrew Universities management. They have supported the idea of presenting the "Books of Words" at the Truman Institute which is part of the University this fall after the new semester starts.
Ambassador Satybaldy Burshakov expressed gratitude to those who worked on a Hebrew version of Abai’s book and who made it possible for an Israeli readers to get acquainted with the heritage of the rich Kazakh literature.
Abai's “Book of Words” is a fundamental work of the Kazakh akyn and enlightener, which consists of 45 short parables and philosophical treatises. This poem raises the problems of national education and worldview, morality and law as well as the history of Kazakhs.
Abai wrote his Words in his declining years, after he had learned the temptations of power and the hardships of earthly affairs, the recognition of the people and the loss of loved ones. His parables were included in his every new book. Some of the Words were first published after the death of akyn (1904) on the pages of the "Abai" magazine in 1918.
The poet's work has been translated into many world languages .
By the decree of the Government of Kazakhstan August 10th has been announced Day of Abai.