• As part of their working visit to Tashkent, representatives of the Otandastar Qory NJSC held an important meeting at the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan focused on literary and cultural cooperation. The delegation met with Risolat Khaidarova, a writer, translator, and leading specialist of the Union’s Department of International Relations and Literary Translation, as well as with Tursynali Akhmetov, Chairman of the Council of Kazakh Literature and a translator.
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• During the meeting, Risolat Khaidarova highlighted several major initiatives that have been implemented in recent years under the memorandum of cooperation between the writers’ unions of the two countries. Among them:
• – In 2022, the volumes 72 to 81 of the 100-volume anthology “Pearls of Turkic Literature”, published in Tashkent, were dedicated to Kazakh literature. The Writers’ Union of Kazakhstan played a significant role in this project by providing essential materials and works.
• – In 2023, the Kazakh literary magazine “Tań-Sholpan”, published in Almaty, regularly featured translations of Uzbek writers’ works into Kazakh. This initiative marked a meaningful step toward cultural rapprochement through literary translation.
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• The Council of Kazakh Literature operates actively within the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan, alongside similar councils for Tajik and Russian literature. The council supports the literary development of Kazakh writers residing in Uzbekistan.
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• Chairman of the Council, Tursynali Akhmetov, spoke about its historical roots, noting that its origins date back to 1935 with the publication of the Kazakh literary collection “Sotsialdy Shashu”. Today, the council has 13 members, all of whom are full members of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan.
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• In addition, as part of the “Uly Dala” (Great Steppe) International Literary Competition organized in 2024 with the support of the Otandastar Foundation and the Writers’ Union of Kazakhstan, works by Kazakh authors from Uzbekistan were published in Kazakhstan. These included:
• – “Qarasu Zhyrlary” (“Verses of Qarasu”) by Lala Zhumanova,
• – “Aqiqattyń Dämi Ashy” (“The Taste of Truth Is Bitter”) by Zharaskan Myrzamuratov.
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• Writers from the Kazakh diaspora in Uzbekistan are also actively participating in this year’s competition, demonstrating strong creative momentum.
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• At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of historical continuity and cultural resonance between Kazakh and Uzbek literature. Delegation members noted that literature serves as a spiritual bridge between nations and expressed interest in continuing joint work on translation, publishing, and literary projects.
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• The delegation also toured the literary museum at the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan, where they learned about the Union’s history, its prominent members, and literary heritage. This visit served as a vivid example of how literature deepens the spiritual ties between the two nations.

• Press Service of the Otandastar Qory NJSC
• Contact:
• Alzhan Sharipov (Press Secretary)
• +7 775 510 5191
• alzhan.sharipov@gmail.com