A national scientific and practical conference entitled “Works by K. Bekkhozhin and Modern Kazakh Poetry” dedicated to the 100th birthday of a famous Kazakh poet, playwright, translator and public figure Kalizhan Bekkhozhin took place at S. Toraighyrov PSU on October 9, 2013.

In his opening speech, the Rector of S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Serik Omirbayev emphasized the diversity of works by Bekkhozhin and their significance for the people: “Kalizhan Bekkhozhin was a follower of great poets of the golden era of Kazakh literature. Not only was he a master of the poetic genre, but also a playwright, publicist, literary critic and a gifted translator. Owing to Bekkhozin, the best works of world literature were translated into the Kazakh language”.

During his speech at the plenary session, Akim of the Pavlodar region, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Yerlan Aryn stressed the importance of promoting the cultural and historical heritage of Kalizhan Bekkhozhin, his unique and diverse works.

The following participants of the plenary session delivered their speeches during the event: a National Writer of Kazakhstan Abdizhamil Nurpeisov, the wife of the poet Zayra Bekkhozhina, Director of the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan Darkhan Mynbay, the First Secretary of the Writers' Union of Azerbaidzhan Fikret Godzhayev, member of the Eurasian Writers' Union Ibragim Yeriygit (Turkey), poet and Deputy Chairman of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan Ghalym Zhaylybay, Chairman of the Journalists' Union of Kazakhstan Seytkazy Matayev, poet and Editor in Chief of the Zhuldyz magazine Yesdaulet Ulykbek, Editor in Chief of the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper Zhanay Omarov, Deputy Editor of the Yegemen Kazakhstan newspaper Zharasbay Suleymenov, General Director of the Television and Radio Complex of the Presidents of the Republic of Kazakhstan JSC Yerlan Bekkhozhin, poet and relative of Bekkhozhin Ibragim Isayev, Editor in Chief of the Turkestan newspaper Shamshidin Patteyev.

Besides, the Conference was attended by a Honored Worker of RK, writer, Doctor of Philological Sciences Tursynbek Kakishuly, Deputy Press Secretary of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Philological Sciences Bauyrzhan Omarov, poetess, Director of the Regional Office of the Writers' Union in the West Kazakhstan region Akushtap Bakhtygereyeva, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor of the Department of Kazakh Literature at L.N. Gumilyov ENU Rakymzhan Turysbekov.

During the Conference, there was a presentation of the web site devoted to the life and work of Kalizhan Bekkhozhin, discussion of the main fields of his activity, his role in the Kazakh literature, problems of modern Kazakh literary language, and topical problems of social sciences development in Kazakhstan.

The son of K. Bekkhozhin, General Director of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan JSC Yerlan Bekkhozhin announced that a new scholarship named after Kalizhan Bekkhozhin will be established at S. Toraighyrov PSU.