In cooperation with the Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) and Kazakhstan Union of Authors, a ceremony was held in which the Kazakh translation of the book ‘’Yunus Emre Selection’’ was introduced.  

In addition to Turkish Ambassador to Nur-Sultan Ufuk Ekici, member of the Council of Elders of the Turkic Council İkram Adyrbek, Kazakhstan Union of Authors Nur-Sultan Branch Director Dauletkerey Kapuly, Citizens Foundation Vice President Magauya Sarbasov, Turcologist Şakir İbrayev, and Prof. Dr. Bolat Korganbekov, academics, representatives of international organizations and many university students attended to the presentation ceremony moderated by Nur-Sultan Yunus Emre Institute Deputy Director Almagül İsina, held on March 11, 2022, at the Nur-Sultan National Academic Library.

19 POETS FROM KAZAKHSTAN TOOK PART IN ITS TRANSLATION

Introduced to the Kazakh language within the scope of ‘’Turkish and Yunus Emre Year’’ announced by UNESCO and Presidency on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the death of Turkish Poet Yunus Emre, Prof. Erdoğan Boz’s book ‘’Yunus Emre Selection’’, which consists of two parts, were translated into mother tongues with a project involving young poets from Kazakhstan.

Ambassador Ekici, in his speech at the ceremony, stated that this year they celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two brother countries, Turkey and Kazakhstan, and it was very meaningful for the work to meet its readers in such a time.

‘’YUNUS EMRE'S MESSAGES SHED LIGHT OUR WAY’’

Ekici thanked those who contributed to the translation of the work into the Kazakh language and congratulated the 19 poets who took part in the translation of the book for their participation in this meaningful work. 

Explaining that poets, bards, and writers fulfill important duties in society, Ekici said, ‘’They ensure the cohesion of the society and the bonding of individuals with each other with respect and love.  They shape society’s beliefs and reflect them on society. As we all know, Yunus Emre is also a great folk poet. It is one of the most important themes of Sufism, which was shaped by Hoca Ahmet Yesevi in the territory of Kazakhstan in Central Asia, extending to Anatolia. The humanity messages given to us by the great Turkish poet Yunus Emre shed light on our way.’’ 

‘’WE WANTED TO SEE THE YOUTH’S PERSPECTIVE IN YUNUS’ POEMS’’

Kazakhstan Union of Authors Nur-Sultan Branch Director Kapuly stated that they had 19 young poets specializing in the field of literary translation in the country who participated in the project.

Recalling that Yunus Emre’s poems were translated by well-known poets in his country in previous years, Kapuly said, ‘’This time we wanted to see youth’s perspective in Yunus Emre’s poems.’’

In her statement to the journalists, İsina remarked that the book contains Kazakh translations of 72 poems by Yunus Emre, saying, ‘’It was important that Yunus Emre’s poems, which have a simple but deep meaning, were translated by sticking to the original.’’ Stating that one thousand copies of the book were printed, İsina said that they planned to donate the books to relevant institutions and organizations, especially libraries and universities in Kazakhstan. During the ceremony, works by Yunus Emre were performed, and academics made presentations on poems.