Zhambyl's Heritage in Contemporary Theory of Literature

      Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted the International Scientific and Methodological Online Conference "The Place and Significance of Zhambyl Zhabayev's Heritage in Contemporary Theory of Literature" . The conference was dedicated to Zhambyl’s 175th anniversary. The main focus of the conference was Zhambyl’s literary work in the context of world literature. The event was organized by the Department of Kazakh Literature and Theory of Literature of the Philological Faculty of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University together with the "International Center for the Rapprochement of Cultures" under the auspices of UNESCO. The purpose of the online conference was to study the work of the great poet of the Kazakh steppe, Zh.Zhabayev in the context of world literature and to comprehend his works from viewpoint of the achievements of contemporary theory of literature. Within the framework of the conference, the particular importance was attached to the innovative methods of teaching zhambyl studies. Welcoming the conference participants of the plenary session, the chairman of the board - Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Zhanseit Kanseituly noted: “We have gathered to show boundless respect to the great poet Zhambyl Zhabayev, analyze the achievements of zhambyl studies and determine the further directions of scientific research”. Zhambyl Scientific Research Center of Kazakh Folklore and Literature took an active participation in the conference. The scholar discussed the topical problems of Kazakh folklore and fictional literature in modern conditions. In the future, it is planned to expand the range of studies, to involve literary scholars from the Republic of Kazakhstan and foreign countries in research work, and to publish monographs and teaching aids for bachelors, undergraduates and doctoral students of universities.

     Speaking at the conference, the writer, chief researcher of the State Museum "Center for the Rapprochement of Cultures" under the auspices of UNESCO of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nagashybek Kapalbekuly noted that Zhambyl is a unique personality of Kazakh folklore literature. Many scholars have spoken about this person at one time. The writer, Mukhtar Magauin wrote: "There are many great people, but Zhambyl is one, and he is unique." His poems and works - zhyrlars - have spread all over the world and have been translated into 160 world languages ​. The phenomenon of a poet is that his works are true and full of energy, he was always with the people. “The poet said about himself that his simple name was Zhambyl, but his real name was the people. When he won the aitys fight with the famous Kyrgyz akyn Kulmambet, he became the main akyn of the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples, ”Nagashybek Kapalbekuly emphasized in his speech.

   The conference was attended by: Chairman of the Board - Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Zhanseit Kanseituly, writer, chief researcher of the State Museum "Center for the Rapprochement of Cultures" under the auspices of UNESCO of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nagashybek Kapalbekuly, Director of the Abai Research Institute of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Zhangar Dadebayev, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Academician of the Academy of Humanities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, laureate of the Zhambyl International Prize, Temirkhan Tegenov and other famous figures of science and culture. Thanks to the mixed offline-online format, scholars from the Far and Near Abroad: Turkey, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan literary scholars, researchers, teachers from universities and schools, students, undergraduates, doctoral students and media representatives could take part in the meeting. The conference continued its work in three sections: "The consonance of Zhambyl Zhabayev's works with world literature", "Innovative methods of teaching zhambyl studies and philological disciplines", "The present and future of zhambyl studies in the research of young scientists". This year it is planned to publish a 20-volume collection of works by Zhambyl Zhabayev, to make a film, stage a number of performances and hold many cultural events dedicated to the poet's work.