Abay Qunanbaiuly (1845–1904), who lived in the second half of the 19th century, was not only a poet but also a prominent intellectual, educator, and cultural mediator. He is regarded as the founder of Kazakh literature and as an intellectual leader during the modernization phase of the Turkic World. Qunanbaiuly is recognized as one of the founding figures of Kazakh literature and thought, while also being remembered as a shared cultural and spiritual personality uniting the Turkic World. His works carried various elements—such as culture, traditions, language, and religion—shared by Turkic peoples throughout history into a new intellectual dimension, serving as a guiding source for enlightenment, modernization, and the construction of national identity.
Abay’s intellectual worldview was founded on the synthesis of Eastern and Western cultures. His intellectual interactions with exiled Russian intellectuals led him toward Western philosophy and scientific thought, which he subsequently integrated with the cultural values of his own people. This approach underscores the necessity of harmonizing universal values with local traditions for the Turkic World as a whole. Indeed, Abay’s vision of modernization offers a shared perspective on the identity and developmental struggles experienced by the Turkic World since the 19th century.
With approximately 170 poems and 56 translations, Abay played a pivotal role in carrying Kazakh literature from its oral tradition into a written one. Through his use of rhyme schemes, he became a leading figure in the development of modern literature for all Turkic peoples. His contribution to the Turkic World was not confined to literature and thought alone; his impact on art and music was equally significant. The songs he composed elevated Kazakh folk music to a global dimension while also bringing fresh vitality to the shared tradition of Turkic music. His reflections on music reveal his belief that art serves as a means of both individual development and social harmony.[i]
Kunanbayoglu’s philosophical outlook, poetry, and musical legacy not only reflected the shared cultural values of the Turkic peoples but also guided them through the processes of modernization, identity formation, and enlightenment. In his works, he addressed all Turkic communities, advocating for the application of the ideal of the “holistic human” by maintaining a balance between reason, heart, and will. This vision has been regarded as a common spiritual compass for the Turkic World.
Another of Abay’s major contributions to the Turkic World was his emphasis on science and modern education. For him, education was not only essential for individual prosperity but also for national development and social progress. This perspective aligns closely with the modernization and joint development strategies pursued by today’s Turkic Republics. Abay’s principle of “learning science not to become wealthy, but to become truly human” still resonates as a guiding idea for the intellectual development of younger generations across the Turkic World.
In addition, his stress on the importance of learning foreign languages underlined the necessity for Turkic peoples to integrate with universal culture while preserving their own identities. Through this vision, he succeeded in representing the traditional lifestyle, values, and language of the Kazakh people in a literary form, while simultaneously situating these elements within a broader Turkic identity. In this sense, Abay contributed significantly both to the strengthening of national identity and to the emergence of a pan-Turkic consciousness.
The themes he explored in his poetry and prose—such as justice, honesty, diligence, and love for humanity—resonated across different segments of the Turkic World, thereby fostering a stronger common cultural foundation.
In Kazakhstan, “Abai Day,” celebrated annually on August 10, serves as a reminder of the enduring strength of Abay’s legacy for Turkic peoples. The celebrations—ranging from poetry readings and concerts to exhibitions organized in Astana—not only ensure that his ideas and art are transmitted to younger generations but also reinforce the cultural cohesion of the Turkic World.[ii]
As a result of all these dimensions, Abay Qunanbaiuly is remembered in the Turkic World not merely as a literary figure, but also as a thinker, reformer, and moral teacher. His works promote individual development while emphasizing social responsibility. His contributions in philosophy, literature, music, and education strengthened the shared cultural identity of the Turkic peoples and, at the same time, turned him into a symbol of enlightenment that bridges local traditions with universal values.
Today, Abay’s ideas continue to serve as a guiding framework for the Turkic World in its pursuit of development, unity, and modernization. His legacy is celebrated not simply as a memory of the past but as an enduring source of inspiration for shaping the future. In this sense, Abay is recognized not only as the poet who forged a nation’s literary identity, but also as a thinker who speaks to the collective memory of the Turkic World.
[i] “Honoring Abai Qunanbaiuly: Kazakhstan’s Enlightened Voice, Now Celebrated Worldwide”, Timesca, https://timesca.com/honoring-abai-qunanbaiuly-kazakhstans-enlightened-voice-now-celebrated-worldwide/ (Accessed: 20.09.2025).
[ii] “Honoring Abai: How Astana Celebrates 180 Years of Great Thinker and Poet”, The Astana Times, https://astanatimes.com/2025/08/honoring-abai-how-astana-celebrates-180-years-of-great-thinker-and-poet/ (Accessed: 20.09.2025).
