Culture

Spain exhibits anthology of Kazakh poet who "inspired" generations

Valencia (Spain), Dec 11 (EFE).- The Kazakh Embassy in Spain presented on Friday to the College of Silk Art Library an anthology of the works of Abay Qunanbaiuly to mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of the "philosopher, intellectual and thinker" who inspired young Kazakh poets during the 19th and 20th centuries.The collection includes the principles of traditional Kazakh culture recognized by UNESCO on the 150th anniversary of the poet's birth, such as "diversity, dialogue and tolerance," which have served to build "the political and cultural program" of the Central Asian republic, according to José María Chiquillo, president of International Network of the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme.In an interview with Efe, Chiquillo said how the country's geographic location, in the heart of Central Asia and at the center of the Silk Road, has been key "to building bridges" and instilling relations of "cordiality, friendship and tolerance" among the people who have been part of the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years.In addition, the principles of interculturalism and multilateralism set out in the books have marked the political agenda of the Kazakh government, which was "championed" by former President Nursultan Nazarbayev from its independence on December 16, 1991 and whose legacy is being continued by current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.SHOT LIST: SOUND BITES AND FOOTAGE OF JOSE MARIA CHIQUILLO, PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF THE UNESCO SILK ROADS PROGRAMME IN THE COLLEGE OF SILK ART LIBRARY IN VALENCIA:"On the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the birth of Kazakh poet Abay Qunanbaiuly, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Spain presented this week in Valencia, to the Valencian Library and the College of Silk Art Library, the complete works of this great philosopher, poet, thinker and intellectual, who inspired young Kazakh poets throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. His works reflect the principles and values of traditional Kazakh national culture, which have served as the foundation for the political and cultural program of the Republic of Kazakhstan.”"These complete works contain everything that UNESCO, on the 150th anniversary of his birth, recognized as values and principles of dialogue, diversity, development, culture of peace and building bridges in the intercultural dialogue between East and West. Let us not forget that Kazakhstan, in the heart of Central Asia, at the heart of the Silk Road, has inspired those relations of cordiality, friendship, respect and tolerance among the people who have been part of this mythical Silk Road for over 2,000 years.”"In ‘The Book of Words’ the poet Abay embodied the fundamental principles and values that have shaped the actions and political program of the Kazakh government, the values and principles of a culture of peace, of intercultural dialogue, which President Nazarbayev championed when he declared Kazakh independence 29 years ago. Kazakhstan has always been characterized by laying the foundations for and building bridges to dialogue, to multilateral relations, to imprint the culture of peace and dialogue between people and nations through the power of the word.”"This program, so well designed by President Nazarbayev, has been continued with great success by President Tokayev. And this has led to the fact that, since his appearance in the United Nations Security Council, as in the last measures taken by President Tokayev, these values and principles have inspired the actions of the government, because they are a value, a legacy, a strength that has given Kazakhstan a reputation on the international stage as a country of dialogue, respect and tolerance, and which has imprinted the culture of peace in each and every one of its actions."Keywords: efe,spain,kazakhstan,abay,qunanbaiuly,silk,road,unesco