Fariza Ongarsynova is a Queen of Qazaq Poetry

Fariza Ongarsynova is called a queen of Qazaq poetry. Those who knew her well say that Fariza Ongarsynova had a strong character and a brave heart, her words in poetry were like a straight-shooting weapon. But at the same time she used to be a vulnerable and sensitive woman.

Fariza Ongarsynova

(a picture is from open source)

The poetess in her works is sincere and straightforward, sometimes even harsh. After all, as a true artist, she did not tolerate falsehood in her attitude to the world. Fariza Ongarsynova is a true patriot, in every line of her there is a call to love, respect, appreciate people of your country, their traditions and culture. It is no wonder that she was and remains one of the most beloved poets and writers of Qazaq people.

The poetess was born in the Guryev (now Atyrau) region on December 25, 1939. Fariza's mother, Khalima, planted in her daughter a love for literature, especially poetry. Old Qazaq songs, folk tales, legends, works of the poet and warrior Makhambet often sounded in their house. The tragedy in the family, related to the death of Fariza’s father, Ongarsyn strengthened in the girl love for reading. To distract her mother from grief, Fariza learnt by heart all epic poems and used to tell them loudly especially to her. At such moments Khalima stopped crying and looked at her daughter with astonishment.

Fariza’s poetic talent came to light by chance. One day at school, she unexpectedly for everyone and first of all for herself mocked in verses a cocky little boy who had offended her classmate. “Did you make verses by yourself?”, her classmates asked with surprise. In the evening, all the inhabitants of the Qazaq aul (means “a village” in Qazaq) knew about the incident. Halima was told that her daughter was a poet, “akyn” (in Qazaq language). Her mother was very proud of her and commented on that: “Yes, my daughter will be a great akyn”. In her interviews, Fariza Ongarsynova often said that she fell asleep that night with special feelings. For the first time in her life she felt herself like a poet ....

An Aul “Manash”, where used to live Fariza’s family, suffered from a lack of water. There was a harsh land, sands all around. There was neither a spring nor a stream, only a few wells. Fariza dreamed that she would grow up and become a land reclamation engineer, bring water to her native places. When it came time to choose a profession, her mother, knowing daughter's abilities, convinced her to become a writer or poet.

After graduation from the Philological Faculty of the Guryev Pedagogical University, Fariza Ongarsynova worked as a teacher of the Qazaq Language and Literature. But journalism and poetry inspired her very much. In 1966, she started to work as a literary officer of the Guryev Regional Newspaper called “Kommunistyk Enbek”. Then she acted as a correspondent of the Republican Youth Newspaper “Leninshil Zhas” in the western regions of Qazaqstan, later she edited the Republican Newspaper “A Qazaqstan Pioneer”. From 1978 to 1996 she headed the Republican Magazine “A Pioneer” (now it is called “Ak Zhelken”).

Fariza Ongarsynova is the author of collections of poems in the Qazaq language “Sandugash”, “Auender”, “Mazasyz Shak”, “Takappar Urpak”, “Kogershinderіm menin”, “Men Senyn Zhuregindemin”, “Shilde”, “Senin Makhabatyn”, “Daua”.

The Russian-speaking reader discovered for themselves Fariza Ongarsynova’s creative world in the late 1970s, having become acquainted with the book under a title “Tenderness”. Afterwards the collections of poems “Alarms”, “Illumination”, “Waiting for the Sun”, “A Midday Heat” and others in translation into Russian were published. She is also the author of the documentary story “Kamshat”.

Fariza Ongarsynova’s rules of life:

1. During the time of any rulers, I lived on the same level, I never tried to please them and I never humbled myself before them for the sake of a career. Honesty of the poet should be above all.

2. The person, who does not respect the traditions of my country and people, should not even try to translate my poems.

3. I will never betray my country, the vast steppe of Qazaqstan, covered with camel thorn. Any other nature views are given to me just for comparison, and not for treason.

4. Poetry should strike like a diamond blade, and not delight the ear.

5. It turns out that it is not so easy to be a poet, and it is doubly difficult for a woman ....

6. To speak bluntly, do not tolerate disparaging remarks in your address, respect yourself - people think that only men possess such qualities, but they are not right. A woman can also express her opinion without trying to be polite or considering other people’s feelings.

7. For me, the most important quality of a person is honesty, sincerity.

8. Ordinary people are closer to me than the political environment — women and girls, orphans and widows, among them I feel myself like a fish in water.

9. Any falsity makes me mad and I immediately see it.

10. People, like the “man in the sand,” move away from each other. There is no warmth between people like it was before.

11. Whoever you are - a businessman, a worker or a pensioner - appreciate love!

12. There are people, who have spiritual thirst and they quench it by reading my works. I believe that my dream has come true at a certain level.