The Hague, November 7, 2025 – A Cultural Evening dedicated to the 180th anniversary of Abai Kunanbaiuly was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the active support of members of the Kazakh community in the country. The event was symbolically timed to coincide with important milestones in Kazakhstan’s national history – Republic Day and the 35th anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty, which marked the beginning of Kazakhstan’s path to independence. Indeed, the ideas of national development and prosperity formed the foundation of the creative legacy of the great son of the Kazakh nation, while the specific initiatives outlined in the recent Address of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev resonate deeply with Abai’s spiritual heritage.

In this modern Address to the Nation, special emphasis was placed on strengthening the moral foundations of society, developing human capital, and advancing education – the very ideals to which the poet devoted his life. Abai called for justice, hard work, honesty, and the pursuit of knowledge, seeing in these values the basis for the spiritual growth and well-being of the nation. These timeless precepts remain relevant today, serving as a moral compass for Kazakhstani society.

The lecture dedicated to Abai’s life and creative path was delivered by the evening’s guest of honour, Dr. Zifa-Alua Muratovna Auezova, Doctor of Historical Sciences, cultural scholar, and granddaughter of the outstanding writer Mukhtar Auezov. In her address, she revealed the philosophical world of the great thinker, his views on the individual, society, and moral values, which sparked great interest and a profound emotional response among the audience. The creative part of the evening featured melodies of the Great Steppe performed on the dombra, as well as songs and poems by Abai, performed and recited by participants. Attendees also shared their reflections on the significance of Abai’s works in the modern world.

The organizers expressed their gratitude to Zifa-Alua Auezova for her inspiring lecture, as well as to the united Kazakh community for their active participation and contribution to the preparation of this remarkable event. The evening concluded with a friendly coffee break accompanied by a traditional Kazakh dastarkhan. Guests exchanged impressions, received Dutch-language editions of the works of the great Kazakh thinker as gifts, took commemorative photos, and discussed future cultural initiatives aimed at promoting Abai’s heritage and further developing humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-hague/press/news/details/1102387?lang=kk