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Kazakh spiritual and cultural life has suffered a profound loss with the untimely death of Kadyrkhan Kizatuly, a distinguished poet, айтыс (poetic duel) performer, dombra musician, and historian. His passing occurred as a result of a road accident, a loss deeply felt across the community.

The news was shared by his colleague, Ularbek Nurgalymuly, on social media, highlighting Kizatuly's significant contributions to Kazakh heritage. Kizatuly was not only a prominent figure in the айтыс tradition within China but also a passionate advocate for Kazakh culture at large. His talents extended to playing the dombra, recounting genealogical histories (шежіре), and excelling in the art of spoken word.

A Life Dedicated to Culture

Ularbek Nurgalymuly remembered Kizatuly with deep emotion, emphasizing his unique place within society. He was known for his generous spirit, appreciating and celebrating the successes of those around him.

Details of the Tragic Accident

According to information circulating online, the accident occurred in the early morning hours when a bus traveling from Astana to Almaty collided with a parked truck on the roadside. Preliminary reports suggest the bus driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The collision resulted in several injuries, and tragically, Kadyrkhan Kizatuly lost his life.

Ularbek Nurgalymuly also reported that Kizatuly's body had not yet been transported to Astana following the incident.

Funeral Arrangements

Kadyrkhan Kizatuly had been residing in Kosshy, a city near Astana, in recent years. Funeral prayers are expected to be held in Kosshy, with the specific time to be announced later.

Who Was Kadyrkhan Kizatuly?

Born in 1963 in the Maylytau region of the Sary Emil farm in the Dorbiljin district of the Tarbagatai region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China, Kizatuly grew up in a family of shepherds. After graduating from school in 1980, he began his career as a teacher. From 1980 to 1995, he taught literature in primary and secondary schools. He then served as the director of the Dorbiljin District Cultural Center from 1995 to 2014, before retiring.

Literary and Artistic Achievements

Kadyrkhan Kizatuly was a prolific writer, credited with over three hundred poems and ten long-form poems since 1980. He authored collections of айтыс and poems titled "Karymjy" and "Qairan, Dauren." Between 1986 and 2006, he received accolades such as "Famous Aytysker," "Regional Aytysker," and "Distinguished Aytysker of the Tarbagatai Region." He was also recognized as a masterful dombra player, performing both his own compositions and traditional folk melodies.

Return to the Homeland

After returning to his historical homeland in 2016, Kizatuly continued his creative pursuits. During these years, he compiled the poetry collection "Myng Bulaq" and authored books such as "Chinese Kazakh Poets' Aytysy" and "Stories My Grandfather Told." He was a member of the PRC State Folklore Society, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Literature and Art Society, and the Ili Regional Aytysy Research Society. It is also reported that he was recently accepted into the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan.

Kadyrkhan Kizatuly was not only a prominent representative of the Kazakh айтыс in China but also a dedicated individual who worked to research, collect, and preserve this heritage for future generations. His passing represents a grave sorrow and an irreplaceable loss for Kazakh spirituality. We extend our condolences to his family, relatives, close friends, colleagues in the arts, and all the Kazakh people. May his soul rest in peace.

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