In 1960, a monument to Abai Kunanbayev was erected on Abai Square in Alma-Ata. The authors were the sculptor H.I. Nauryzbaev, and architect I.I. Belotserkovsky.

The total height of the monument is 13 m. The sculpture is cast in bronze. The shape of the pedestal is trapezoidal, made of red granite. The figure of Abai is in motion. In his left bent arm, he holds a book, and with his right he holds the floors of a chapan thrown over his shoulders. The head of the thinker is voluminous. The face is given an expression of thoughtfulness, a look fixed on the future. The philosophical disposition of the poet, the extraordinary personality, emphasizes the monumentality of the figure, the integrity of the plastic solution of the monument. Abai was the bearer of a new concept of life, stood head and shoulders above the environment that gave birth to him. The Enlightener wanted to see human society as good and rational, progressively developing. The desire for the progressive development of society, where a person is elevated by reason, science, will, is one of the main directions of all the work of Abai.

Сreativity

All the work of Abai is permeated with ideas of irreconcilability to idleness, false shame. The human character, in his opinion, consists only in the struggle against difficulties, in overcoming these difficulties. Abai managed to advance to the front ranks of fighters for cultural progress, for national happiness, for friendship between nations. He made a valuable contribution to the culture of his people, approved the democratic direction of Kazakh literature. Abai Kunanbaev created a new, life-affirming, socially poignant poetry, was, in fact, the ancestor of the literary language. With his characteristic sincerity and passion, he loved his people, their culture, their native language. The theme of enlightenment of the people in the work of Abai acquired a huge social significance. In the dissemination of knowledge, the poet saw a means of liberating people from social evil. Abai deeply believed in the creative power of the masses of the people and understood that under contemporary conditions of social life, the masses did not have the opportunity to fully enjoy the fruits of their labor.

The prose poem Kara soz, consisting of 45 brief parables or philosophical treatises, became the famous work of Abai. In these edifications, the problems of history, pedagogy, morality and the law of ethnic Kazakhs are raised.
Abai is an outstanding representative of Kazakh culture in the second half of the XIX century. He is considered to be the founder of the new Kazakh written literature.

See also