This year marks the 100th anniversary of Berdibek Sokpakbayev, the classic writer of Kazakh and children’s literature and author of the well-known novel Menin atym Kozha (My name is Kozha). His works had a great influence on Kazakh literature. The 100th anniversary of Berdibek Sokpakbayev is included in the UNESCO List of Commemorative Dates, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Berdibek Sokpakbayev was born in Kostobe village in Almaty region to a poor family. He lost his mother at age 8. Berdibek Sokpakbayev graduated from the Abai Kazakh Teachers’ Training Institute and literary courses in Moscow. Throughout his career, he worked at various newspapers and a film studio.

His novel Menin atym Kozha (My name is Kozha) in Kazakh written in 1957 featuring a schoolboy, Kozha, full of mischief rose Berdibek Sokpakbayev to worldwide fame. It was translated into Russian and published in Moscow in 1958. 

Later the book was translated into 68 languages. The movie based on the book was awarded the diplomat at the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Cannes in 1967. It is the first Kazakh film to receive such a high prize.

Author

Zhanna Nurmaganbetova

kazinform.kz