This year,
Kazakhstan marks the 165th anniversary of the renowned poet Mashkhur Zhussup
Kopeyev. The celebration honoring this prominent figure in Kazakh culture and
literature took place in the Pavlodar region, featuring aitys and terme
performers’ contests, alongside sports competitions such as kokpar, baige, and
Kazakh Kuresi. It bears noting that Kopeyev collected samples of Kazakh
folklore, having recorded numerous epics, legends, fairy tales, and aitys
pieces. Kopeyev embodied a versatile personality. He was a historian,
ethnographer, educator, folklorist, and polyglot. He had a good command of
Arabic and Persian languages. It is worth mentioning that during the solemn
event, Yerlan Koshanov, Chairperson of the Mazhilis, the Lower House of the
Kazakh Parliament, presented a congratulatory letter from the Kazakh President.
“Mashkhur Zhussup
Kopeyev has made an invaluable contribution to the preservation of our national
spiritual heritage, the study and promotion of folklore, genealogical history,
customs and traditions of our people. His poems and epics educate people,
nurturing an affinity for high culture and broadening the horizons of
Kazakh literature. Therefore, our common duty is to revive his creative legacy
and ensure that it remains forever in people’s memory,” said Koshanov.
