Kazakh Literary Award Honors Translator and Celebrates National Heritage
Astana, Kazakhstan – A translator from the Abai region has been awarded 5 million tenge (approximately $37,000 USD) for outstanding translation work at the National “Aiboz” Literary Prize ceremony held in the Kazakh National Musical Drama Theater named after K. Kuanyshbayev in Astana. The award recognizes excellence in literary translation and highlights the importance of preserving and promoting Kazakh culture and language. This prestigious event, attended by prominent figures including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva and Chairman of the Board of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan Mereke Kulkenov, underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the arts and recognizing literary achievement.
The “Aiboz” National Literary Prize, established in 2025, aims to celebrate and encourage literary talent across Kazakhstan. This year’s ceremony honored winners across seven nominations, with a particular emphasis on recognizing high-quality translations. The judging process was designed to ensure impartiality, with judges evaluating submissions anonymously to determine the winners based solely on merit. The focus on anonymous judging reflects a dedication to fairness and objectivity in recognizing literary excellence.
Celebrating the Art of Translation
The recipient of the award, Äsem Erezheqizi, a translator specializing in works from Kazakh, Russian, and Turkish languages into Kazakh, expressed her joy and gratitude upon receiving the prize. She noted the strong support she has received from her home region of Abai, including congratulations from local officials. Erezheqizi’s work extends beyond Kazakh and Russian, encompassing translations from Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz, and Uzbek into Kazakh, demonstrating a broad commitment to cross-cultural literary exchange. Aqparat.info reports that she has been diligently working on translations for the past three years, resulting in the completion of approximately 13-14 books, with more in progress.
Erezheqizi’s dedication to translation is rooted in a deep appreciation for language and culture. Her ability to bridge linguistic divides allows for a wider audience to access and appreciate literary works from diverse backgrounds. The award not only recognizes her individual talent but also highlights the crucial role of translation in fostering understanding and appreciation of different cultures. The Kazakh government’s support for initiatives like the “Aiboz” prize demonstrates a broader strategy to promote cultural exchange and strengthen national identity through literary arts.
Aiboz Prize and Kazakhstan’s Literary Landscape
The “Aiboz” National Literary Prize is quickly becoming a significant event in Kazakhstan’s cultural calendar. With nearly 180 applications received this year across seven categories, the competition is fierce, attracting submissions from a wide range of writers and translators. The prize aims to elevate the status of literature within Kazakh society and provide a platform for emerging and established authors to gain recognition. The selection process, emphasizing anonymous judging, ensures that the awards are based on the quality of the work itself, rather than the author’s reputation or connections.
The ceremony’s attendance by high-ranking government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Aida Balaeva and Chairman of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan Mereke Kulkenov, underscores the importance placed on literary arts within the country’s cultural policy. An Instagram post by arnapress_news shows a glimpse of the event, highlighting the celebratory atmosphere and the recognition given to the winners. This support is part of a broader effort to promote Kazakh language and literature both domestically and internationally.
Äsem Erezheqizi: A Profile of a Dedicated Translator
Äsem Erezheqizi’s career extends beyond translation. Born on January 8, 1980, in the former Semey region, Shubaratau district, Baykoshkar village, she received her education at Baykoshkar secondary school from 1987 to 1997. She then pursued higher education at the Shakarim State University of Semey, earning a degree in Philology from 1997 to 2001. She furthered her studies with a Master’s degree from the Semey State Pedagogical Institute from 2003 to 2005. According to her profile on VKontakte, Erezheqizi has held positions as a teacher at Shakarim State University and a research fellow at the Semey State Pedagogical Institute.
Currently, she serves as the Press Secretary at the L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University. Erezheqizi is also an accomplished poet and has participated in numerous national and international poetry competitions, earning several awards. Her poems and collections have been regularly published in prominent Kazakh publications such as “Kazakh Literature” newspaper and “Zhuldyz” magazine since 2000. She was a laureate of the Republican competition held by the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan in 2003 and a diplomat of the International “Shabyt” Festival. Her diverse background and accomplishments demonstrate a lifelong dedication to Kazakh language, literature, and culture.
The award to Äsem Erezheqizi and the success of the “Aiboz” National Literary Prize signal a vibrant and growing literary scene in Kazakhstan. The government’s continued support for these initiatives will undoubtedly contribute to the preservation and promotion of Kazakh cultural heritage for generations to approach.
The next scheduled update regarding the “Aiboz” National Literary Prize will be the announcement of the call for submissions for the 2026 awards, expected in late 2026. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on the importance of literary translation and cultural preservation in the comments below.