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In 1913 in three issues of the newspaper “Kazakh” published Akhmet Baitursinov’s article «The main poet of the Kazakhs”. In it, he first called Abai the great lump of his time, explains the depth of his poetry, the breadth of subjects, special skills in versification and reveals the poet’s connection with Russian literature and the aesthetic value of Abai. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

Address by Mr Federico Mayor
Director-General of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural organization
(UNESCO) on the occasion of the celebration,
at the Palace of the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the
150th anniversary of the birth of Abai Kunanbayev
Almaty, 9 August 1995

Mr President of the Republic of Kazakstan,
Excellencies,
Ministers,
Distinguished representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is truly an honour for me to be with you today, in the independent and sovereign Republic of Kazakhstan, to commemorate the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the man in whom the genius of the Kazak people found its fullest expression – Abai Kunanbayev. I wish to thank you, Mr. President, and through you the Government and people of Kazakhstan, for inviting me to participate in this forum of national reflection and recollection. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »

For those who collect information on the biography of my father, will be needed data about his character, lifestyle, about how he looked like: an expression of his face, clothes, gait, speech, was he pleased or indignant. Among the contemporaries of my father there were a few people who know how to write. So I had to involuntarily take up the pen. Although, to my notions, writing about the nature and habits of the father is not quite decent.
Before, I never wrote these things and also have never seen or read a book of memories. I want to take the father’s character as a whole and, gradually, pondering, open it as far as I can. Azamat, who will need my words, will find from the heap of bales and choose the right material and cut out what he wants. &#82&#101&#97&#100&#32&#109&#111&#114&#101 »