U. Kalizhanov, Dr. Phil.Sc.,

corresponding member of the NAS RK,

                                        Director of the M.O. Auezov Institute

of Literature and Art, MES RK

Kazakh literature in new translations into foreign languages

Kazakh literature is becoming more recognizable in the world thanks to the new translations of literary works into the world languages. The works of classics of Kazakh literature such as M.O. Auezov, S.Mukanov, G.Musrepov and contemporary novelists are full of motifs of linkages between people and native land. The works of such poets as Abay, I. Altynsarin, Zhambyl, S.-M. Toraigyrov, M. Zhumabaev, S.Seifullin, I.Zhansugurov and contemporary masters of poetic word, present the amazing soul of the people, that is inextricably linked with the wide Steppe and transmit tremulous charm of maternal nature of native land. Kazakh writers and poets reveal the interrelationship and interdependence of the life on planet Earth using the power of their talents.

Poetry of Great Abay has been only recently translated into German, Polish, Korean and Belarusian languages. Global perception of creativity of M.Auezov has been enriched with new translations of his works in the languages of the peoples of the world, new books about his creative writings and destiny, which reveal the hidden metaphysics of the destiny. Literary scholars and critics find parallels between prose of M.Auezov and J. London, M.Auezov and W.Faulkner. At the time, Louis Aragon traced the common features in the works and the manner of writing of M.Proust and M.Auezov. Russian researcher N. Anastasiev is deeply convinced that according to the nature of artistic talent, M.Auezov – is the epic writer that makes it possible to compare his works with the prose of Ernest Hemingway. M.Auezov in depicting human relationship with nature deviates from J.London's traditions, gets close to W.Faulkner and goes further in perfecting his creative writing, reaching the peaks of epic narration in creating the genre of the novel-epopee.

The diverse works of different genres of Kazakh writers praise in poetic way the native land and nature, warning about environmental catastrophe, appeal to human's inner world, showing internal cleaning of the characters. All masters of artistic expression in the republic, revealing different facets of human relationship to nature, truly urge for the clean environment, preservation of resources and the unique landscape of the country. We are convinced that humanity is aware of the responsibility for what happens in face of conscience and high human duty.

The creativity of the contemporary Kazakh writer, the founder and the first President of Kazakhstan Pen-Club, national writer of Kazakhstan Abdi-Jamil Nurpeissov is widely known throughout the world. Literary works by A. Nurpeissov «Blood and sweat», «Final respects», which highlight retrospectively the way of the humanity in the XX century, have been translated into 35 languages and friendly perceived by the readers worldwide. New editions of one the greatest novels of recent times – the novel-dilogy «Final respects» by A. Nurpeissov have been published in the United States and Russia.

This is the main book of the writer, to which he refers constantly, improving and adding to the literary text. Ecological disaster – is the result of the wrong and short-sighted policy of totalitarian society. The tragedy of the Aral Sea rises to the level of the global environmental catastrophe. Particles of sea salt from the bottom of the drying Aral Sea has been found in the ice of the Arctic Ocean. French researcher, historian Albert Fischler sees A. Nurpeissov as «one of the most prominent artists of the steppe», the successor of the great Auezov, who «holds in his literary work the colorful image of the steppe and analysis of almost sociological nature of society, and finally, historical story that feels all his work».

Books «Blood and Sweat» and «Final respects» were first published in English. The world's famous newspapers «The Washington Post» and «The New York Times» paid attention to this important action - translation of the novels into English and presentation. «The big historical frescoes» (A. Fischler) provide an opportunity to the new readers to get acquainted with the ancient and complex history of the Kazakh people. Readers of the prose by A. Nurpeissov push the boundaries, and include new admirers of his universally recognized talent into their orbit.

In the context of the marked anniversaries: the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan's accession to the United Nations (2012) and the 20th anniversary of the UN presence in Kazakhstan (2013), new translations of Kazakh authors bring Kazakh literature closer to global world, making its content more accessible to readers of the English-speaking countries, and extending the limits of its perception abroad. New translations of literary works of authors from Kazakhstan into English will contribute to the comprehensive study of Kazakh literature in the United States and of course, will serve as a new impetus of interest to the history of Kazakh literature. The important step will be done towards saturation of the US book market with works of Kazakhstan writers thanks to high-quality translation.

The international scope of the project is particularly significant in the context the first meeting of the Joint Commission for Scientific and Technological Cooperation held in Astana in 2013 to discuss priorities for joint activities to improve citizens' health and the health of the planet through the development of «green» economy. Formation of ecological culture of contemporary people is necessary around the world. In this regard, culture, literature and the arts play a special role. Publication of Anthology «Human and Nature» will facilitate the specialists of the two countries to analyze the typological comparisons in modern Kazakh and American literature (typology of the author, the characters, the plot). The literary text as a model of Kazakh culture, thanks to the new translations into English will be accessible for perception and learning of modern literary criticism in the United States.