President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the award recipients and highly praised each of their contributions to the development of the country.
The Head of State noted that Batima Zaurbekova has distinguished herself in the visual arts through her distinctive and recognizable style. She was among the founders of Kazakhstan’s national tapestry art school and became the first professional female specialist in this field in the country.
“Your creative work has received wide recognition, and you have become a laureate of the State Prize. You have paid particular attention to promoting the history, cultural identity, ornamental art and traditions of our people. Your works adorn landmark buildings in Almaty and other cities and are held in collections both in Kazakhstan and abroad, where they have received high praise from renowned international experts. I believe that your unique artistic journey is an excellent example for the younger generation,” the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also described Tursyn Zhurtbai as an outstanding scholar and accomplished writer who has devoted his life to the development of Kazakhstan’s national spiritual heritage.
“You have made a significant contribution to the in-depth study and comprehensive promotion of the life and work of Abai Kunanbaiuly. Abai is a spiritual compass for the entire nation and, above all, for the younger generation. In essence, understanding the great thinker means understanding the Kazakh people. You have authored valuable scholarly works on the rich legacy and life of Mukhtar Auezov and other prominent figures of our national culture. Through your outstanding literary works, you have further enriched Kazakhstan’s literature,” the Head of State said.