Mirzhakyp Dulatov: Continuity of Ideas and National Values

At Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, a regional scientific and practical conference titled “Mirzhakyp Dulatov: Continuity of Ideas and National Values” was held to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Mirzhakyp Dulatov - a prominent figure of the Alash movement, educator, poet, writer, publicist, and statesman.

The conference gathered leading scholars, educators, and master’s students from various regions of Kazakhstan in both online and offline formats. Participants discussed new findings and research related to Dulatov’s life, creative works, and political legacy.

Among the keynote speakers were Dr. Aigul Ismakova, Professor of Nazarbayev University and Doctor of Philology; Dr. Gulnara Obayeva, Head of the Department of Kazakh Literature at K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University; Associate Professor Dr. Akmaral Otarova from Sh. Yessenov Caspian University of Technology and Engineering; and Zhanna Utemissova, Senior Lecturer and PhD student of Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University.

Professor Aigul Ismakova noted that starting this academic year, the works of Alash leaders are being taught as a dedicated course at Nazarbayev University. She emphasized that Dulatov, through his literary and educational works, not only promoted the status of the Kazakh language but also advocated for the social role of women in national progress. He introduced the concept of “child competence,” designed math problems rooted in Kazakh traditions such as livestock counting, and authored an influential textbook titled “Kiragat.”

Dr. Ismakova also highlighted the influence of Abai on Dulatov’s famous poem “Oyan, Kazaq!” (“Wake Up, Kazakh!”) and his pioneering role as the first researcher of Shokan Ualikhanov’s legacy. She critically noted that although many modern historians use Dulatov’s research, they often fail to cite him properly. Her presentation was an exclusive lecture first delivered at Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University.

Professor Shakhman Nagimov emphasized Dulatov’s stature as one of the nation’s foremost intellectual leaders and stressed the importance of viewing him in unity with other Alash figures such as Akhmet Baitursynuly. He also shared compelling insights about the contribution of war hero Baurzhan Momyshuly to the rehabilitation of Alash leaders - a story that deeply moved the audience.

The regional conference continued with three thematic sections: “The Spiritual World of the Nation and the Preservation of Language,” “The Alash Government and the Idea of an Independent Kazakh State,” and “The Key to National Spiritual Independence: Advancing the Education System.”