Kazakhstan Celebrates 275 Years of Beket Ata Legacy with Massive Cultural Festival

A monumental two-day event commemorating the 275th anniversary of Beket Ata Myrzagululy and his mentor Shopan Ata has drawn over 10,000 visitors from across Kazakhstan, the CIS, and beyond.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a heartfelt congratulatory message to participants, emphasizing Beket Ata’s vital role in shaping the nation’s spiritual heritage, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

At the celebration, Mangistau Governor Nurdaulet Kilybai read the president’s message, which praised Beket Ata as “one of the most distinguished sons of his people, a pillar and protector of his region.” The letter highlighted Beket Ata’s lifelong dedication to education and spiritual enlightenment and noted ongoing efforts to nominate the Oglandy underground mosque and other regional historic sites for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

“The cultural and spiritual legacy of this great thinker-who called people to kindness and harmony-is an invaluable treasure of our national identity. It is our sacred duty to preserve and pass this heritage on to future generations,” the message concluded.

The festivities featured a vibrant lineup of traditional Kazakh sports competitions such as horse racing, alaman-baige, Qazaq Kuresi wrestling, and kettlebell lifting. To welcome the guests, over 100 yurts were set up, creating an authentic atmosphere.

Cultural and spiritual activities were held throughout the event, including discussions on unity, solidarity, and spiritual continuity led by prominent public figures on the Oitalqy platform. The celebration concluded with a lively concert and an evening dedicated to showcasing traditional Kazakh arts.

This significant cultural event comes as the underground mosques of Mangistau are slated for UNESCO World Heritage status, further cementing the region’s importance as a center of spiritual and historical heritage.