Monument to Abai Qunanbaiuly

Historical Background

Abai Qunanbaiuly was a great Kazakh poet, thinker, educator, composer, translator and founder of Kazakh written literature. He was born in 1845 in the Qasqabulak area near the Shyngystau Mountains, in what is now Abai District of Abai Region. His birth name was Ibrahim, but the name Abai became a symbol of wisdom, spiritual depth and moral reflection in Kazakh historical memory.

Abai’s work occupies a central place in the spiritual development of Kazakh society. In his poems and “Words of Edification”, he explored the themes of education, labour, morality, conscience, justice, science and national character. He expanded the thematic and artistic range of Kazakh poetry and raised the literary language to a new level.

Abai translated works of Russian and world classics into Kazakh, opening new intellectual horizons for Kazakh readers. Through his translations of Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov and Ivan Krylov, he connected Kazakh literature with Russian and European classical traditions.

Description of the Monument

The monument to Abai Qunanbaiuly was installed in Aktobe in 2020 to mark the 175th anniversary of the great poet’s birth. It stands at the intersection of Abai Avenue and Eset Batyr Street, in a prominent public space frequently visited by residents and guests of the city.

The monument is made of bronze. Abai is depicted wearing a wide traditional robe and holding a book in his hand. The book symbolises knowledge, spirituality, thought and enlightenment. This artistic detail clearly reflects Abai’s educational mission and his call for learning and science.

The sculpture is placed on a 2.4-metre pedestal, while the statue itself is 3.8 metres high. The total height of the monument is 6.2 metres. The pedestal stands on a two-level rectangular stepped stylobate. This architectural solution gives the monument a solemn appearance and emphasises the stature of Abai’s personality in the urban landscape.

Opening of the Monument

The monument to Abai Qunanbaiuly was solemnly unveiled in Aktobe on 27 October 2020. The event was held as part of the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the great poet and became one of the important cultural events in the region.

The opening ceremony was attended by regional officials, representatives of the Writers’ Union of Kazakhstan, poets, writers, members of the intelligentsia and residents of the city. The speakers highlighted the importance of Abai’s legacy for Kazakh spirituality and his reflections on morality, knowledge, justice and national consciousness.

The authors of the monument are Toktar Yermekov, a well-known sculptor and Honoured Cultural Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Zhenis Zhubankossov, an Aktobe sculptor known for a number of monumental works in the city. Through the artistic solution of the monument, the authors presented Abai as a thinker addressing future generations with a call to knowledge, spirituality and moral perfection.

Why Is This Monument Important?

The monument to Abai Qunanbaiuly holds a special place in the cultural space of Aktobe. It is not only a monument to the great poet, but also an artistic symbol of Kazakh spirituality, national thought and the idea of enlightenment.

The monument reminds residents and visitors of Abai’s legacy and serves an important educational function. It encourages younger generations to value knowledge, inquiry, humanity and responsibility. Abai’s concept of the “complete person” and his reflections on labour, science and morality remain relevant today.

Its location on Abai Avenue is also symbolic. This space is gradually perceived as one of the city’s spiritual and cultural landmarks, where the name of the great poet continues to live in public memory.

What Should Visitors Notice?

Visitors should first notice the book in Abai’s hand. It is the key symbol of enlightenment, knowledge and spiritual culture.

The wide traditional robe highlights the poet’s national identity and his connection with Kazakh cultural tradition. The calm posture and thoughtful image convey Abai’s philosophical depth and his reflections on the individual, society and the future of the nation.

The high pedestal and two-step stylobate give the composition a solemn character. The elevated figure of Abai symbolically emphasises his place in the history of Kazakh culture and the importance of his spiritual legacy for future generations.

Did You Know?

In 2020, Kazakhstan widely celebrated the 175th anniversary of Abai Qunanbaiuly. As part of the anniversary, a monument to the great poet was unveiled in Aktobe, and small architectural forms promoting his legacy were installed along Abai Avenue.

Abai’s “Words of Edification” are considered one of the most important works of Kazakh literature and philosophical thought. They explore the themes of human character, knowledge, labour, justice, conscience and responsibility to society.

The monument to Abai in Aktobe is not merely an urban landmark. It is a place where visitors can return in thought to the questions Abai raised: what kind of person one should become, how to preserve dignity, and why society needs knowledge and conscience.

Read More

1. Official website of the Akimat of Aktobe Region. “A Monument to Abai Qunanbaiuly Was Unveiled in Aktobe”
2. Egemen.kz. “A Monument to Abai Was Unveiled in Aktobe”
3. Aktobe newspaper. “A Monument to the Great Abai Was Unveiled in Aktobe”
4. inbusiness.kz. “A Monument to Abai Was Unveiled in Aktobe”
5. Aktobe newspaper. “Aқын тойы — ел мерейі”
6. Khabar Agency. “A Monument to the Great Abai Was Installed in Aktobe”
7. History of Kazakhstan portal. Reference material about Abai Qunanbaiuly