S. Toraighyrov PSU hosted the ‘Aymauytov Readings’ national research and practical conference dedicated to the 125th birthday of a scientific and cultural luminary, writer, the founder of the novel genre in the Kazakh literature, playwright, and translator Zhusipbek Aymauytov. The event took place on September 19, 2014, at 11.00.

The Conference was moderated by the Advisor to the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Full Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor Garifolla Yesim. In his opening speech, he noted the multifacetedness of Aymauytov's creativity and his significance for the people.

During the plenary session, Akim of the Pavlodar region Kanat Bozumbayev emphasized the importance of promoting Zhusipbek Aymauytov’s cultural and historical heritage, as well as the need for dissemination of the unique, multifaceted creativity of our distinguished countryman.

Addressing the participants of the Conference, Rector of S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Serik Omirbayev noted versatility of Zhusipbek Aymauytov's talent. 'Zhusipbek Aymauytov is a figure of global scale. Even though he was repressed in the 1930s, his destiny cannot be described as tragic only - he played a historical role in the history of Kazakh literature as he wrote the first classical Kazakh novel. A large-scale study of his life, creativity and spiritual heritage continues today. I am convinced that today's conference will help us discover new facts about this illustrious son of Kazakh land,' said Serik Omirbayev.

Reports on the plenary session were made by a member of Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, Honored Worker of Culture Saylau Baybosyn, poet, first deputy chairman of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan Galym Zhaylybay, well-known Kazakh writer and playwright, member of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan Akim Tarazi, Director of Zh. Aymauytov Scientific and Practical Center of Ethnopedagogics and Innovative Technologies in Education at S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University, Doctor of Pedagogic Sciences, Professor Yengilik Zhumatayeva.

Among the guests of honor, there were prominent figures of the country, well-known scientists, such as the Vice-Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Buribayev, Deputy of the RK Parliament Mazhilis Almas Turtayev, etc.

Special honor and respect were given to the relatives and direct descendants of the writer. The Conference was attended by Rimma Aymauytova, a daughter of Zhusipbek's elder son.

As a part of the Conference program, there was a book exhibition ‘Zhusipbek Aymauytov as a Writer, Playwright, Translator, Literary Critic and Teacher’ and demonstration of the ‘Kemenger’ film devoted to his memory.

Photo by Rufina Torpischeva