Tolegen Zhangailev

Tolegen Zhangailev is a poet, journalist, public figure, member of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, and member of the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan. He was born on January 27, 1950, in the village of Karauyl, Aбай district, East Kazakhstan region. He graduated from Semey Pedagogical Institute in 1973. In 1984, he completed the Higher Party School in Almaty and became actively involved in public and political activities. From 1984 to 1999, he served as the ideological secretary of the Aбай district party committee, deputy chairman of the district council executive committee, and deputy akim of the district.

His poetry collection was first published in the collective anthologies of young poets of the republic "Karlygash" (1978), followed by "Syr Safar" (1980), and "Togyz Perne" (1981). Over the years, ten of his books have been published.

My Heart Speaks. Poems. Almaty, "Zhalyn", 1982.

The Truth of Shyngyshtau. Poems. Almaty, "Zhalyn", 1993.

The Light of a Healed Thought. Poems. Almaty, "Daur", 1996.

We Do Not Go to Paradise. Poems, ballads, epics. Almaty, "Atamura", 1998.

Atom and Poet. Poems. Almaty, "Qanagat", 1999;

Ballads about Baba. Ballads. Novosibirsk, "Sovremennik", 2001.

The Language of the Mute. Poems. Ust-Kamenogorsk, 2003.

Mataev. Essay. Almaty, "International Abai Club", 2008.

Our Father. Essay. Novosibirsk, "Eureka", 2012.

The Other Side of the Irtysh. Poems. Almaty, 2021.

The Writing on My Forehead. Selected Poems. Nur-Sultan, "Phaliant", 2021.

The book "The Truth of Shyngyshtau," published in the 1990s, announced the arrival of a talent that could serve as a unique pillar for our poetry. The collection consists of three sections: poems, ballads, and epics. The poet's mastery of expression is especially evident in his ballads. The ballads "Ak Arba," "My Mother's Story," "Namys," "Ak Bantik," "Neighbor Granny," and "Perfume" serve as significant anchors. "The Truth of Shyngyshtau" is like the golden anchor of the collection. This work is dedicated to Shakarim Qaji. Compared to the previously written epics, narratives, and dramas about the qaji, it stands out with its unique signature. The book "We Do Not Go to Paradise," published by Atamura in 1998, covers a wide range of topics and issues. It is particularly concerned with land and national matters. The actions and injustices happening in the world are all reflected in this collection. In 1999, his collection "Atom and Poet" was dedicated to the theme of the polygon.

Continuing the path initiated by the greats, Tolegen Zhangailev is a poet with a unique voice in Kazakh poetry, constantly growing and searching. The poet accurately conveys the realities of today's life in his works.

In 2024, as part of the "Abai Way" library project implemented with the support of the akim of Abai region, the poet's book titled "Karkuar" was published.

The writer is a laureate of the Republican "Zhiger" festival for young poets (1978), the Zhambyl International Prize (1996), and the grand prize winner of the East Kazakhstan regional written poets competition. He is the first prize winner of poetry competitions dedicated to Abai (1995) and Astana (2016). He has received commemorative medals for the 10-20 year anniversaries of the establishment of our republic. He is a cultural figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a holder of the Ibray Altynsarin badge, and a recipient of the Order of Honor (2020).

He is a member of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan and a laureate of the international Zhambyl Foundation.