Kazakhstan Anthologies
The unique landscape and history of Kazakhstan have shaped its rich cultural identity.
In his 2017 state of the nation address, President Nazarbayev announced the Third Modernization of Kazakhstan. An initiative designed to spur the country’s development to become more competitive in the global economy. One of the main pillars of this programme is the translation of two anthologies of modern Kazakh literature – one prose, one poetry – into six UN languages, which is the focus of this project.
Access the books
Poetry
A new anthology of selected Kazakh poets since independence, translated into English for the first time. This diverse anthology of the Kazakh poets writing since Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991 explores themes from love, family, and belonging to landscape, history, and modernity. These evocative poems provide direct insight into the culture, connections, and aspirations of a nation reconnecting with its past and forging its own path to the future.
Prose
A new anthology of the selected Kazakh prose writers since independence, translated into English for the first time. From lyrical realism to mythical retelling, from comedy to tragedy, this anthology of the Kazakh prose writers since independence explores life under Soviet rule, history, tradition, Kazakhs’ relationship with the vast landscape, and the future. These thoughtful texts cut to the heart of a nation forging its identity afresh from traditions of the past and hopes for the future.
Project videos
Trailer for the two new Kazakh anthologies
Sharing contemporary Kazakh literature
