Museum of Literature and Art
The Museum of Literature and Art is a scientific and cultural institution located in the Akmola Region of Kazakhstan, dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of the life and work of prominent Kazakh poets, writers, oral storytellers (zhyrau), and sal-seri (traditional bards), both from the region and across the country. The museum was established by Decree No. 14 of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR on January 20, 1989, and opened its doors to visitors on June 22, 1993. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that there are only two such museums in Kazakhstan; the second one is located in the city of Pavlodar.
The museum's collection consists of over 9,000 exhibits, including personal belongings, manuscripts, rare photographs, and household items that belonged to prominent figures who made a significant contribution to the spiritual culture of the Kazakh people. The exposition features materials that reflect the life and creative legacy of such notable poets and writers as Birzhan Sal, Akan Seri, Ukili Ybyrai, Baluan Sholak, Koken Shakeev, Musa Asainov, Tursynbek Kakishev, Sabit Zhunisov, Tuyak Kazhybayev, Ibragim Salakhov, and others. These items are not only of personal and historical value but also serve as important sources for understanding the historical and artistic processes in the development of national literature and art.
One of the most valuable items in the museum’s collection is a manuscript copy of "Diwani Hikmet" by Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, dating back to the 16th-17th centuries. This unique manuscript is considered a significant testament to the historical continuity of Sufi literature and the spiritual traditions of the Kazakh steppe. Another rare and ancient item is a saptayak - a wooden cup over 500 years old, carved from solid wood and donated as a family heirloom by K. Ualiyev, a resident of the village of Igilik in the Zerendi District.
Among the ethnographic artifacts of particular value are a wooden trough used for serving meat and a double-headed ladle for pouring kumis, crafted from the pelvic bone of a camel. These traditional kitchen utensils were once used by the ancestors of Sarken Ashimova, a resident of the village of Eltai in the Zerendi District. From the same district, Tauarikh Zhasauyev donated leather items used in horse breeding - a torsyk (leather vessel) and a bucket - to the museum. Additionally, a mirror, a German-made sewing machine branded "Singer", and personal belongings of Akbota and Zhalmukhan were donated to the museum by Marat Koterbekov and Amantai Kametkanova from the village of Madeniyet in the Keller District. Notably, Akbota is a well-known folkloric figure considered to be the prototype of Syrgaly, the beloved of Akan Seri.
The museum’s collection is further enriched with rare books in Arabic and Old Church Slavonic, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, significantly enhancing its capacity to support historical and philological research.
The Museum of Literature and Art is not only a repository of artifacts but also functions as a scientific and educational center that systematically studies and broadly promotes literary and cultural heritage. It regularly hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions, literary evenings, conferences, and events dedicated to the anniversaries of poets and writers. The museum plays a vital role in shaping the artistic and aesthetic worldview of young people and fostering a deeper interest in national literature and the arts.