Cambridge and Kazakhstan launch landmark translation to share key cultural voice

Following the announcement of UK lockdown restrictions, the launch was held online, attracting viewers from around the world. The Press’s Chief Executive Peter Phillips and Dr Aktoty Raimkulova, Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, delivered keynote speeches, supported by the Press’s Director of Syndicate Affairs Kevin Taylor as Master of Ceremonies. Further contributions were made by His Excellency Erlan Idrissov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UK, Kate Ewart-Biggs of the British Council, Rauan Kenzhekhanuly of the National Bureau of Translations and poet Sean O’Brien.

In her opening speech, Dr Raimkulova stressed: “Our goal is to study the life and work of this great figure who has become the passport of the Kazakh nation, to take a deeper dive into his creative world and tell the rest of the world about him. The name of the great philosopher who is considered the founder of written Kazakh literature and who left behind an eternal legacy, is in the heart of every Kazakh citizen.”

This publication is the result of a unique project which saw Abai’s works translated directly into English for the first time. Focus was placed on conveying the true meaning of Abai’s words in over 150 poems and 45 prose works included in the collection. A new generation of literary translators worked closely with British poets John Burnside and Sean O’Brien, who helped ensure the resulting text suitably represented the powerful rhythm and voice of Abai.

This book launch is the latest milestone in more than ten years of partnership between Cambridge and Kazakhstan. Last year, Cambridge and the National Bureau of Translations produced two anthologies of prose and poetry together, and in December will launch the first English-language volume of selected works by 19^th century scholar Chokan Valikhanov. In addition to our literature and academic collaborations, Cambridge have supported the development of a new Kazakh education system, built a long-standing partnership with the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools and trained more than 100 Kazakh professionals in publishing.

Peter Phillips said: “At Cambridge, we seek to unlock people’s potential to better themselves and their societies through excellence in learning and research, a sentiment we find embedded in Abai’s works. We share this goal with our Kazakh partners too, and it has proved a strong basis for our work together over the past decade. This partnership has spanned the full breadth of Cambridge, from our teaching and research departments through to the Press and Cambridge Assessment, and we look forward to continuing it in the years to come.”

Hear more about the launch on the Embassy's website and the Astana Times article is here.