Abai: Poems, Long Poems, Edifying Words

Abai: Poems, Long Poems, Edifying Words brings together the enduring literary legacy of Abai Qunanbaiuly (1845–1904), Kazakhstan’s pre-eminent poet, philosopher, and cultural reformer. This comprehensive English-language edition presents a selection of his lyric poems, narrative poems, and the celebrated Edifying Words—a series of philosophical reflections on morality, education, faith, reason, and the human condition. Blending the richness of Kazakh oral tradition with influences from Eastern and Western thought, Abai’s writings continue to resonate with readers around the world through their timeless exploration of wisdom, compassion, and personal integrity. Published by Ulttyk Audarma Byurosy (National Bureau of Translations) in Astana in 2020, this edition forms part of an international project to make the classics of Kazakh literature accessible to a global audience.