Shirin Smamutova, Asel Sisenbayeva
For national poetry, reflecting on past history is a sacred pursuit, equivalent to searching for lost roots. This theme has never ceased to exist in Kazakh-Karakalpak poetry. Even during the oppressive eras of Tsarist Russia and the Soviet regime, our poets and writers did not shy away from portraying the contours and figures of historical memory in their works. This is because the issue is closely tied to a nation's self-identity and its understanding of its own place and stature. In today's poetry, this tradition has found new life. Contemporary poems and epics revisit the once-silenced pages of history and the figures who fell victim to past political repression, offering fresh poetic interpretations and restoring them to their rightful place. Folk legends and other cultural legacies are now being celebrated within the broader framework of global civilization and spiritual values. The past is being reevaluated with new perspectives and insights. When poets turn to historical themes, the melodies of poems and laments naturally echo in their minds and hearts. To capture the true essence and reality of past eras, no tune is more fitting than that of the era itself. In Kazakh-Karakalpak poetry, the poetic tradition of the zhyrau (bards) continues to shine as a vivid example of artistic expression, carrying its spirit from century to century.
