Memorial Museum of Akyn Sara

The Memorial Museum of the Poetess Sara Tastanbekkyzy is located in the picturesque and historically rich region of Kapal - one of the sacred places of Kazakhstan. The museum building is a historical monument constructed in the second half of the 19th century. At one time, this building served as a military infirmary where the doctor of the Kapal district, General I. Sobolevsky, lived. Historical sources confirm that the great Kazakh educator and scholar Shokan Shyngysuly Ualikhanov received treatment in this very infirmary in 1864 - 1865.

On June 19, 1993, in honor of the 115th anniversary of the birth of poetess Sara Tastanbekkyzy, a memorial museum bearing her name was opened in this historic building. Today, the museum is a structural subdivision of the state municipal enterprise "Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev Historical and Local History Museum of Zhetysu Region."

The museum exhibition consists of four thematic halls:

1. The hall “Sara’s Childhood”

2. The hall “Sara’s Circle”

3. The hall “Creative Work of Poetess Sara”

4. The hall “Followers of Poetess Sara”

Each hall is thoughtfully curated and supplemented with items that convey the spirit of the era. Among the exhibits are everyday items from the period in which Sara lived, samples of traditional clothing, jewelry, written versions of her famous aitys (poetic duels) with Birzhan-sal, and her poetic works, presented in a systematized manner.

Sara Tastanbekkyzy (1853 - 1907) was an outstanding representative of Kazakh improvisational poetic art, a master of aitys, known for her eloquence and wit. From an early age, she showed an interest in art, played the dombra, taught by her brother Sakhari, and by the age of 13, began performing songs and verses for the public. From the age of 16, she was known as "Aqyn Sara" (Poetess Sara). She studied under renowned masters of the word, such as Beketbai Zhyrau and Taykot Aqyn, mastering the art of aitys. Sara competed in poetic duels with akyns Tasybek, Ermek, Kudaibergen, Arsalan, Törebay, and others. However, the pinnacle of her creative work is considered to be her aitys with Birzhan-sal Kozhagululy, which became a significant work of folk literature.

Among the most valuable exhibits in the museum are Sara's dombra, her sewing machine, scissors, cooking cauldron (qazan), and handcrafted items. These personal belongings testify that the poetess was not only a talented singer and poet, but also a skillful homemaker.

The Memorial Museum of Poetess Sara is a unique cultural institution that plays an important role in the spiritual and cultural life of the Zhetysu region. It serves to promote the poetic legacy of Sara Tastanbekkyzy and to pass her work on to future generations.