As part of the “Generational Continuity” project, an inspiring meeting between representatives of two generations took place at School-Lyceum No. 73 in Astana.
The event was organized at the initiative of the Active Longevity Center of the Astana City Akimat. The guest of honor was Syrgagul Dutbayeva, a descendant of the great poet Abai Kunanbaiuly and a veteran educator. Syrgagul Dutbayeva is a descendant of Abai’s daughter Külbadan Abaikyzy, born to his first wife Dilda, making her Abai’s great-granddaughter and a member of the Dutbay family. Continuing the legacy of her remarkable ancestor, she has devoted herself to promoting Abai’s spiritual and cultural heritage — reviving his lesser-known songs and poems and passing them on to the younger generation.
Today, Mrs. Dutbayeva is an active member of the Active Longevity Center in the Saryarka district. Since 2022, she has been participating in dance and dombra classes, and taking an active part in various cultural, musical, and intellectual events. In addition to her work in promoting Abai’s legacy, she is also engaged in creative activities as a performer in the “Asyl Mura” dombra ensemble and the “Baiterek” vocal group. During the cultural program, participants performed Abai’s songs and recited his poems, while language experts shared valuable insights about the poet’s life and works. The event was held as part of the school’s Kazakh Language Week titled “My Language — A Legacy for the Centuries.” At the end of the evening, school principal Gulshat Kaltaeva expressed her gratitude to the guests and presented them with flowers and commemorative gifts.
“Today, our school hosted a truly meaningful and educational event. Our students had the honor of meeting a descendant of Abai. Despite being retired, our elders remain active in public life and continue to pursue creativity, setting a wonderful example for the younger generation. Through Syrgagul Dutbayeva’s stories, we drew inspiration from Abai’s timeless legacy,” said Sandugash Segizbayeva, teacher of Kazakh language and literature. The event aimed to promote Abai’s creative heritage, honor his spiritual legacy, and strengthen intergenerational ties by sharing the wisdom and life experience of the older generation with the youth.
