“Zhambyl - zhyr alyby, halyktyn zhuregi”: an interactive lesson, dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the Great Akyn, held in East Kazakhstan region

On March 4, 2026, Örken East Kazakhstan Regional Scientific and Methodological Center for Informatization and Education Development of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region held an interactive lesson entitled: “Zhambyl - zhyr alyby, halyktyn zhuregi” (Zhambyl as a giant of poetry, the heart of the people”). The event brought together students of grades 10-11 of schools of Ust-Kamenogorsk city, as well as schoolchildren from cities and districts of the region. The lesson, held via the Google Meet, was dedicated to the 180th anniversary of Great Kazakh Poet Zhambyl Zhabayev.

Before discussing the topic of the event, it is important to remember the remarkable person to whom it was devoted. Zhambyl Zhabayev occupies a unique place not only in Kazakh culture but also in the world cultural heritage. Born in the harsh conditions of the nomadic steppe during the final years of the Khanates, he became a living bridge between the epochs. He was called the “Homer of the twentieth century” for his epic scale and depth of his poetry.

Zhambyl was not just a poet, he was a zhyrau - a storyteller, improviser, and the voice of the people. He praised heroic batyrs, sharply criticized injustice in his aitys (poetic competitions) and responded with remarkable speed to significant historical events, whether the dawn of a new era or the tragedy of war. His famous address “Leningraders, my children!”, written during the Great Patriotic War, became an anthem of courage and unity. The name “Zhambyl” has become synonymous with the spirit of the Kazakh people, and his poetry is an invaluable diamond in the crown of national culture. And now, 180 years later, his voice was again in the walls of modern schools ща East Kazakhstan region.    

The moderator and inspirer of the lesson was Nazgul K. Kanketayeva, a teacher of Kazakh language and literature of Secondary School No. 35 of Ust-Kamenogorsk city, a teacher-researcher and Master of Pedagogical Sciences. Through her guidance, the online platform was transformed into a dynamic environment of creative search, effectively integrating classical literary content with modern digital technologies.

The key goal of the lesson was not just to present information about Zhambyl, but to demonstrate that he truly deserves the title “zhyr alyby” (a giant of poetry) and the true “heart of the people”. And students themselves explored and substantiated this idea through collaborative group work.

Immersion in the epoch: The lesson began with watching fragments of the documentary film “Zhuzben zhuzdesken Zhambyl”. Using the “Cornell” method, the students practiced identifying key information, while recording important milestones in the poet’s biography.

Group work: The most engaging component of the lesson was group work, which enabled each participant to demonstrate their analytical and creative abilities.

Group I (Jot-Thoughts) conducted an investigative work: from the list of words and numbers (where “Akmaral”, “1943” and even “Kokbori” were mixed in), the guys sorted out the excess in order to concentrate on the true milestones of Zhambyl’s life and work.

Group II (Grafikalyk oku) reconstructed historical narratives through comics illustrating the poet’s childhood, his experiences during the national liberation movement and the tragic years of the Great Patriotic War.

Group III (Projector) explored all facets of akyn’s talent, proving that Zhambyl was not only a singer of joy, but also an acute polemicist and a wise mentor.

Group IV worked on a comprehensive project titled “Zhyr Alyby-Zhambyl”. Students assembled a complex puzzle of the poet’s life, examining: his teachers and students (Suyunbai, Kenen Azerbayev), the themes of his works and the galaxy of Zhambyl researchers.   

Creative culmination: The culmination of the lesson was students’ creative presentations. The participants not only answered questions, but also presented their creative works. There were heartfelt lines written in imitation of Zhambyl, as well as reflective essays titled “If Zhambyl lived today...”. One student even recited own poems dedicated to the great akyn, showing that the tradition continues to live on.

The lesson concluded with a reflection using the “Four sentences” method, where each participant formulated what Zhambyl’s personality and heritage meant in the modern context.

The event, organized by the Örken Center and brilliantly conducted by Nazgul Kairbekovna, once again demonstrated that digital technologies are far more than screens and microphones. They are powerful tools to discuss eternal cultural values in a language that resonates with contemporary youth.

As long as we remember cultural giants such as Zhambyl, our culture remains alive.