the 121st birthday of Ilyas Zhansugurov

121st  anniversary since the birth of one of the three great baitereks of Kazakh literature is celebrated in Kazakhstan today, on May 14, 2015. 

There is an expression «3 baitereks» in Kazakh literature which includes Ilyas Zhansugurov, Beimbet Maylin and Saken Seyfullin. They are three key figures, three pillars of Kazakh literature, great writers and literary figures of their time that made an invaluable contribution to the Kazakh literature.

Today is a special day because this day 120 years ago one of three baitereks - Ilyas Zhansugurov was born.

Ilyas Zhansugurov - a prominent Kazakh writer and poet, one of those who promoted formation of the Kazakh literature.

He was a writer who proved in different genres - in poetry, prose, drama. Whatever subjects he wrote on, he put destiny and interests of the people at the center. The top of the poet’s creativity are his poems – Kuy (“Күй”), Dala (“Дала"), Kuyshi (“Күйші”), Kulager ("Қулагер ") and others.

Kulager is a story presented in poetical way about a great Kazakh singer Akhan-sery, a sad narrative about the death of his favorite horse Kulager.

This poem is one of the outstanding works of the Kazakh literature where the destiny of the poet and singer Akhan has something in common with the destiny of Ilyas Zhansugurov himself, as well as with the whole generation of the Kazakh intellectuals which has undergone repressions in the 1930s.