Great Kazakh thinker Abai and Azerbaijan

Abstract

The article deals with hard and honourable way of life of an outstanding classic of the Kazakh literature, great Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbay (1845-1904) who reflected national-spiritual values of Kazakh people. It is mentioned that the years of study in Semipalatinsk were of special importance in the formation of Abai Kunanbayev's outlook. Abay, who studied at a madrasa on his father’s advice, learnt Arabic and Persian, but later dropped out and got an opportunity to study the rich Russian literature and culture at a Russian school in Semipalatinsk. Writing poems that glorify the people’s spirit caused him to be persecuted by the authorities.However, in spite of all this, he sought the way of prosperity of the people only in enlightenment, in national-spiritual self-awareness. Abai's first poem, written when he was 10 years old – "Chasing a camel" – tells about his great talent. The social themes reflected in his poems are similar to the problems expressed in 19th century Azerbaijani literature from Abbasgulu agha Bakikhanov to Gasim bey Zakir and Seyid Azim Shirvani. The peak point of Abai Kunanbayev's creative work was considered his novel “Agliyya” (“Black Words”). This novel reflects the whole evolution processes from Abai's moral theory to enlightened realism.The article also touches on the points that connect the life and work of Abai Kunanbayev with Azerbaijan. It is also noted that Nizami Ganjavi and Mahammad Fuzuli has an important role in forming his worldview. Translation work in Abai Kunanbayev’s activity who has a wide range of other creative activities also has a special place. He liked Alexander Pushkin's novel “Eugene Onegin” and popularized many parts of this work among the Kazakh people by repeating. Books and articles published in Azerbaijan are essential contributions of Azerbaijani science and literary and social thought to Abai studies.