ASTANA – Kazakh statesman and scholar Darkhan Kydyrali presented a collection of his books on common Turkic history, “Daşa Yazılan Tarix” (History Written on Stone), translated into Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz, Russian, and Turkish languages in Astana on Feb. 6.
The books, including “Daşa Yazılan Tarix” (History Written on Stone) in Azerbaijan language, are devoted to the general history, culture and figures of the Turkic world. Photo credit: Aibarshyn Akhmetkali/The Astana Times
“One of the books is dedicated to the Kazakh public and political figure Mustafa Shokai. The themes of the other four books are similar to each other. All of them are devoted to the general history, culture and figures of the Turkic world,” said Kydyrali.
According to Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Kerimli, Kydyrali’s books could become a unifying element, connecting all Turkic peoples through both language and culture.
“I believe that in the near future, we will all have the opportunity to express ourselves in our own languages and still understand one another. Thanks to our state leaders, who set an example of true friendship and brotherhood, we are moving in that direction. This serves as a good model for all institutions and, of course, for the scientific community,” said Kerimli.
“And these books will truly become the key guiding beacon for all future endeavors in this field, for the common Turkic world, for the history of Turkic peoples,” he added.
Five books of Darkhan Kydyrali were presented to Astana audience. Photo credit: Nargiz Raimbekova/The Astana Times
Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Secretary General and Ambassador Kairat Sarybay said such events help find a common Turkology approach.
“The Turkic world still focuses more on their own national aspects than on common aspects. We have yet to turn common historical concepts and events into a common heritage. The attitude that ‘Navoi belongs to us, Abai belongs to you’ still prevails,” said Sarybay, highlighting the need to move beyond a fragmented approach to history.
“It is time for us to rise to a new level, a common Turkic level. I believe the significance of today’s book presentation lies in the fact that it is a sign that Kazakh science or rather a Kazakh scientist, has risen to a common Turkic level,” he added.
According to him, Kydyrali’s books span a vast historical period and territory, encompassing not only Turkic history but also shared heritage from the Hun, Saka, Mongolian, and Altai history.
As an example, Sarybay mentioned the great “Manas” epic, the traditional heroic poem of the Kyrgyz people.
“The author [Kydyrali] writes that ‘Manas’ is not just the great epic of the Kyrgyz people but also the pinnacle of the heritage of the Turkic countries. This is absolutely true. He compares Manas to Firdausi’s ‘Shahnameh’ and Homer’s ‘Iliad.’ How long will we keep pushing everything into our national corner? I think we need to reach a broader level,” said Sarybay.
