1845 – 1904
Abai Kunanbaev
Kazakh writer, poet, lyricist, social philosopher.
Born in Kazakhstan in Semey province,
Abai Kunanbaev was educated at home and
then sent to a medressa where he learned Arabic and Persian and became acquainted with Eastern
literature and poetry. In Semey he actively participated in the city's
intellectual life, studied Russian and Western classics by Pushkin,
Goethe, and Byron and translated many of them for the first time into
Kazakh.
Writings
Abai devoted many of his works to
the violence of Kazakh labour rights e.g."Oh my Kazakh! My poor people!".
Number of works were devoted to youth: "Our children", "Only
youth - happy flower of life". And a real treasure is his poems expressing his feelings and love to the nature of his
land: "Autumn", "Winter“, “Fall” and etc.
As a gifted interpreter Abai gave Kazakh
people to enjoy the pearls of russian classic literature. During 15 years he translated more
than 50 works of russian writers like Pushkin, Lermontov, Krylov etc.
Abai's literary legacy also includes a number of ballads dedicated to
eastern and western themes. Among these fictional pieces like "Mas'ud"
(1887) and "Alexander,"
Violence – насилие, treasure – сокровище, pearl – жемчужина,
legacy - грамотность
Book of Words
Kunanbaev's works were influenced by his
belief in human reason. He was attracted
to Western Enlightenment thinking and wove criticism of Kazakh culture into his works, most
notably in his collection of poems called Qarasozder (often translated as the Book of Words).
Despite the fact that many years have
passed, several generations have changed since Abai times, “Book of Words” is actual today
as never before, it is our reference point in life. This book includes
different topics – Kazakhstan history, love for fatherland, culture,
people's psychology and philosophy of life.
Enlightenment – просвещение, образование,
generation - поколение
In his amazing Book of Words the
poet expressed his reflections over a
period of years, his searching and discoveries, anxiety and despair, sorrows and joy of revelations, anger and humility. His Book of Words is a deeply meaningful way to truth. The poet
tirelessly reminds that humans have the greatest value in the world,
and that they should be beautiful and harmoniously perfect. Their souls
should also be beautiful, as should their mind, body and feelings. Understanding
of the real world and the personal responsibility of everyone in the
world – this is what the great poet worked for his art and life. Abai
explains that the world is eternal, united and harmonious. Discord, anguish, even death cannot destroy
the harmony, for they are natural.
Anxiety-беспокойство, тревога, revelation – откровение, humility – скромность
Eternal – бесконечный, discord – разногласие,
While you are seeking happiness,
everybody wishes you well;
But once you have attained
it, your only well-wisher is yourself
Пока ты добиваешься счастья, добра тебе желают все, но как только ты достигаешь цели, твой доброжелатель — лишь ты сам.
Who among us have not known
trouble? Only the weak lose hope.
Nothing in this world is
immutable, and misfortune cannot last for
ever.
Does not the bountiful and blossoming spring
follow the harsh winter?
Кому из нас не приходилось бывать в беде? Теряет надежду только слабый. Верно, что в мире нет ничего неизменного, но ведь и зло не вечно. Разве после суровой зимы, не приходит полноводная цветущая весна?
Word thirty-eight
Слово Тридцать Седьмое
If you wish to be counted
among the intelligent, then ask yourself
once a day,
once a week, or at least
once a month: “How do I live?” Have I done anything
to improve my learning, my
worldly life or my life hereafter? Will
I have
to swallow the bitter dregs
of regret later on?
Желаешь быть в числе умных людей, спрашивай себя раз в день, раз в неделю, или хотя бы раз в месяц: как ты живешь? Сделал ли ты что-нибудь полезное для своего образования, для земной или потусторонней жизни, не придется ли тебе потом испить горечь сожаления? Или же ты и сам не заметил, не помнишь, как и чем жил?
Word Fifteen
Слово Пятнадцатое
Word Nineteen
Слово Девятнадцатое
A child is not born a
reasonable being. It is only by listening
and watching, examining everything by touching
and tasting, that it learns what is
good and what is bad. The more a
child sees and hears, the more it
knows.
Дитя человеческое не рождается на свет разумным. Только слушая, созерцая, пробуя все на ощупь и на вкус, оно начинает познавать разницу между хорошим и плохим. Чем больше видит и слышит дитя, тем больше узнает.
Word Four
Слово Четвертое
Только слабые духом могут затвориться в себе, предаваясь горьким раздумьям, не находя утешения.
Only the weak in spirit will
withdraw into themselves abandon themselves
to bitter thoughts, without finding the
least consolation
Word Thirty three
If you want to be rich,
learn a trade. Wealth diminishes with
time,
but a skill does not.
Слово Тридцать Третье
Хочешь быть богатым — учись ремеслу. Богатство со временем иссякает, а умение — нет.
The great poet of the steppe, not
understood by his own people, remained
alone, face to face with God. All
his powers were dedicated to the enlightenment
of his people, but the people only
appreciated the enchanting melodies of his
songs, and did not comprehend the deep
essence of his thoughts, did not follow
his wise advice.
That was the beginning and the end
of the tragedy of Abai. He is buried
near his wintering in Zhidebai valley,
not far from Chingiz mountains.
He is beautiful and great
in his eternal yearning for the truth
Goethe