A recent event at a national museum celebrated the achievements of emerging writers and poets, highlighting a prestigious literary award aimed at nurturing young talent. Discover how thes...

The event held at the National Museum saw the participation of the Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva, State Prize winners of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of literature and art named after Abay, Galym Zhaylybay and Roza Mukanova, the head of the Astana City Branch of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan Bauyrzhan Babazhanuly, members of the literary club "Alqa," representatives from government agencies, as well as emerging prose writers and poets.

As a reminder, by the decree of the Head of State on December 31, 2024, this prestigious award was conferred upon: in the "Prose" category – Esbol Socialkhan for the work "2026"; in the "Poetry" category – Zhanibek Alimanov for the poetry collection "Boz ushqat"; in the "Dramaturgy" category – Alisher Aytuar for the play "Apatay"; and in the "Children's Literature" category – Aset Syzdykov for the novella "Rocket Era."

While congratulating the young authors, Aida Balaeva spoke about the history of the Presidential Literary Award and also highlighted the measures taken by the state to support the creative potential of emerging writers.

– The Presidential Literary Award for young Kazakhstani writers and poets was established in 2023 and has become one of the most significant events in the realm of national literature, as well as another step by the Head of State in essential transformations within the cultural sector. Its main goal is to stimulate and support young creative individuals. Support for the cultural sphere, particularly literature, aligns perfectly with the logic of the President's reforms and initiatives, who views the development of culture and art as one of the key factors for the comprehensive development of the younger generation and the creation of a strong and responsible society. In such a society, Law and Order will prevail, alongside responsibility for one's actions, respect for traditions, and reverence for values such as patriotism, diligence, and education, – the minister emphasized.

According to Aida Balaeva, representatives of the creative intelligentsia have always served as spiritual leaders of the people, and today young prose writers and poets are inheriting this generational legacy. Through their work, they make a significant contribution to the popularization of national values and help shape the system of moral and ethical guidelines within society.

– Your task is not only to continue the path of great writers but also to elevate literature to a new level. While 20th-century literature explored the inner world of a person, contemporary writers must investigate the fate of individuals in the era of digital technologies, globalization, the preservation of national identity, and personal spiritual quests, – Aida Balaeva stressed.

Highlighting the achievements of her younger literary colleagues, Roza Mukanova particularly underscored the importance of the moral teachings of classical Kazakh literature, which she described as a reflection of the people's soul. The writer reminded everyone that the central figure of domestic classical works has always been the individual and encouraged emerging authors to cherish and enhance the legacies of past generations in their creative endeavors.

– My book "Rocket Era" tells the story of a schoolboy from the capital who is passionate about rocket modeling. I met with him several times – this way, the collected material gradually formed into a complete, coherent story. I worked on the book for about a year and a half. My hero is an enthusiastic person, an eternal seeker, and an active promoter of space. His internship at NASA in 2020 provided him with invaluable experiences. I aimed to present readers with a vibrant story with its own internal dramaturgy, showcasing how the main character overcomes various challenges, – shared our colleague, Kazpravdinet Aset Syzdykov.

Participants of the event discussed a number of pressing issues in contemporary Kazakh literature. Writers and poets exchanged views on the significance and functions of artistic translation, the challenges of national dramaturgy, the ideological and meaningful content of works, and the search for the image of a positive hero.

The event concluded with the presentation of books published under the "Literary and Cognitive Panorama of New Kazakhstan" program. This project was initiated by the Union of Writers of the Republic of Kazakhstan in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Information. Participants of the program embarked on creative trips across the country's regions, where they gathered material for future works. As a result of these trips, 20 young authors presented their books to the public, which are sure to interest anyone engaged with contemporary Kazakh literature.