Kazakhstan is currently hosting the national “Reading Nation” marathon, an initiative aimed at promoting a culture of reading and strengthening the spiritual and intellectual potential of society. More than 1.4 million people from across the country have registered to participate in this large-scale initiative. Students and staff of Abai University are among them.

The marathon is being held as part of efforts to implement the directives of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on promoting reading and fostering an intellectually developed nation. The project aims to increase public interest in reading, promote literature, and nurture a generation with strong intellectual potential.

A few days ago, a meeting chaired by Arman Kyrykbayev, Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was held in Astana to discuss the interim results of the national marathon. The meeting focused on increasing participant engagement, coordinating the work of regional project offices, and further promoting a culture of reading. Abai University, named after the great Kazakh thinker who left behind the timeless wisdom “Артық ғылым кітапта” (“Knowledge abounds in books”), is also contributing to this nationwide initiative.

Today, many members of the university community, including faculty and students, regard reading as an essential part of personal and intellectual development. One such participant is Nazerke Sarsebay, a second-year student at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. Her participation in the marathon helps promote a culture of reading, encourage a passion for learning, and strengthen intellectual values in society.

— The university’s Scientific Library has a dedicated reading corner called “Zerdeli ult” (“Intellectual Nation”), established to highlight the importance of reading. It features books recommended under the marathon’s “Reading University” and “Reading Educator” categories. Readers can access the books they need through the Scientific Library’s collection or the university’s official website. As the President has emphasized, fostering a reading nation is vital to our country’s future. I believe that everyone should help inspire young people to take an interest in books and remain committed to the future of our country, — says Nazerke Sarsebay.

School pupils, university students, teachers, families, representatives of workplace teams, civil servants, and members of the creative and intellectual community are currently taking part in the national “Reading Nation” marathon. The total number of participants across Kazakhstan exceeds 1.4 million. Project offices have been established in every region, and a unified reading list comprising 345 literary works has been compiled.

Participants can also exchange ideas and opinions through the digital platform reading-nation.kz. The platform allows readers to publish reviews of the books they have read and share their thoughts on the content and significance of literary works.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   «Abai University» Media Centre