Helsinki, August 10, 2026 – the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Finland, with the support of the «Saule» Cultural Centre, hosted the traditional «Abai Readings» to mark the day dedicated to Abai Kunanbaiuly, the great Kazakh poet, thinker and educator.

A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of Abai’s works in Finnish. Alongside Kazakh and English, the Finnish language provided an opportunity to introduce Finnish audiences to the richness of Kazakh literature and make the poet’s legacy even more accessible and meaningful to people from different cultural backgrounds.

As part of the programme, participants performed selected poems and excerpts from Abai’s works in Kazakh, Finnish and English, demonstrating a high level of preparation, expressive delivery and a genuine appreciation for the poet’s creative legacy.

During the event, it was emphasised that Abai’s literary heritage remains an essential part of Kazakhstan’s spiritual and cultural identity, helping to shape moral values and strengthen the bond between generations.

Following the competition, participants were recognised in a number of categories, including «For Artistic Expression», «For Deep Understanding of the Text» and the «Audience Choice Award». Commemorative prizes were presented to the participants.

The «Abai Readings» in Helsinki served as a vivid example of cultural diplomacy, contributing to the strengthening of humanitarian ties and promoting Kazakh literature on the international stage.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-helsinki/press/news/details/1271464?lang=ru