Today, Abai University hosted a literary and educational evening titled "The Phenomenon of Serik Asylbekuly: Artistic Expression, Scientific Cognition, and Pedagogical Mastery." The inspiring event was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, writer-dramatist, Doctor of Philological Sciences, and Professor Serik Asylbekuly.

The cultural event focused on exploring the prominent writer's contribution to Kazakh literature, his creative endeavors in the field of drama, his scientific heritage, and his career as an educator. The evening was attended by well-known literary scholars, poets, writers, figures of culture and art, representatives of higher education institutions, and university faculty.

At the opening ceremony, Zhanatbek Ishpekbayev, Head of the Office of the Rector at Abai University, delivered a congratulatory letter from Chairman of the Board – Rector Bolat Tilep and presented the honoree with the university's "Abai" badge of honor. The Rector's letter highlighted Serik Asylbekuly's creative journey uniting literature and science, his contribution to the development of national literary arts, and the significance of his teaching in educating the younger generation.

During the event, the writer's creative legacy, his distinctive signature in playwriting, and his approach to depicting national identity and human nature in literary works were widely discussed. In addition, speakers shared insights regarding his research works, literary studies, and exemplary guidance in mentoring students.

Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, stage and film actor, and theater director Murat Noyanbaiuly highlighted Serik Asylbekuly's drama *December Wind* (*Zheltoqsan zheli*), analyzing the worldviews and national consciousness of the three generations reflected in the work. In his assessment, the first generation represents the older generation who preserved their national values despite enduring Soviet repressions and the horrors of war. The second generation consists of system representatives influenced by communist ideology, who prioritized career and power over national interests. The third generation comprises the youth who took to the square during the December Uprising, demonstrating national pride and civic duty while yearning for freedom and independence. Through the youth led by Akmaral, the author showcases the spirit of a new generation striving to defend their rights and national dignity despite the pressure of the totalitarian regime. The generational continuity and ideological conflicts in the play are artistically portrayed as the historical reality of that era.

Among those extending warm wishes to the honoree were renowned scholar and literary critic Zhangara Dadebaiuly, First Deputy Chairman of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan poet Kasymkhan Begmanov, Secretary Kanseiit Abdezuly, and other distinguished figures from literature, science, and the arts.

The literary evening provided a deeper appreciation of Serik Asylbekuly’s creative heritage while emphasizing the importance of passing this spiritual legacy on to future generations.

Serik Asylbekuly graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Abai Kazakh State Pedagogical Institute in Almaty in 1973. He is a member of the Writers' Union of Kazakhstan, a writer, dramatist, and Doctor of Philological Sciences. Today, he continues his teaching career at KazNPU and is the author of over 80 scientific research articles.

«Abai University» Media Center