On April 23, Kazakhstan will observe National Book Day, an occasion established at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In anticipation of this date, the first works published in the Kazakh language hold profound significance.

The Fund of Rare Books and Manuscripts at the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan represents a priceless spiritual heritage. Among the most notable works are the "Kazakh Reader" by Ybyrai Altynsarin, published in 1879, and Mukhamedoraz Nurbay’s book "The Well-Bred Child, The Exemplary Mother," published in 1910.

A special place in the collection is dedicated to works focused on the scientific analysis of folklore heritage. One such example is the 1923 edition of the epic "Er Targyn," which played a vital role in the systematization and scientific processing of oral folk traditions.

A significant portion of the collection also includes historical-genealogical and memoir-style works. Abulgazi Bahadur Khan’s "Shezhire-i Turk" (1871) and Zahir ad-din Muhammad Babur’s "Baburnama" (1857) contributed to expanding historical horizons, reflecting on the past of the Turkic world, and preserving the continuity of the Eastern written tradition.

Press Service of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan