In terms of cultural events, each year has its own characteristics. The current one is rich in memorable dates associated with the names of many of our great ancestors. They – as a connecting thread between generations – remind us of our great past and rich history.

If, speaking about the struggle for the freedom of the people, assessing the lessons of independence, building a Just Kazakhstan, putting the merits of outstanding personalities of the past on the scales, then, of course, the Teacher of the nation Akhmet Baitursynov will stand above all.

Unfortunately, many of our contemporaries, even some representatives of education and culture, speaking about him, are limited to only stingy textbook information: "He wrote textbooks, published a collection of poems, published a newspaper, held a responsible position, was repressed in the 30s." But, in fact, were there few Kazakhs at that time who owned all these four crafts? It is just as true that 99% of professionally trained people have been subjected to political repression.

It is in this regard that it is necessary to clarify the scientific and practical requirements for akhmetology. Akhmet Baitursynov is a systematizer and collector of the spiritual potential of the nation, its connoisseur and user. In particular, he is the author of the first textbook based on the natural laws of our native language, educational poems and translations calling for the awakening of the nation and the unity of the people.

He is the editor of the newspaper "Kazak", which fulfilled the mission of the executive power, a figure who sacrificed his political and public activities in the interests of the people. There is not a grain of idealization in this assessment: consider this the answer to the question "What should be today's statesman?"

Everyone knows the words of the President of the country Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: "The state in the conditions of independence gives national priority to the modernization of national consciousness and adaptation to the changes of globalization." The significance of Akhmet Baitursynov's historical activity and legacy in the modernization of national consciousness and the preservation of the identity of the people under globalization is enormous. In general, it would be logical to call him the keeper of the national code of the Kazakh nation.

This year, the 150th anniversary of the Teacher of the Nation is widely celebrated in the country and abroad. At the same time, I would like to note the work of the state commission on the preparation and holding of the anniversary, as well as the events held by the A. Baitursynov Institute of Linguistics, the M. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, the International Turkic Academy, the Baitursynov House Museum, domestic national, state and private universities, cultural and educational institutions of Kostanay and Turgay. As a result of joint work, Akhmet Baitursynov's multi-volumes were prepared, expeditions to study personality were organized, studies were written, documentaries were shot, a historical object and a mausoleum were built at the birthplace of the enlightener. The responsible authorities and competent persons were guided by the position defined by the Head of State: "The anniversary of Greatness should encourage the search for ways to fulfill the great task facing the nation!"

Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament M. S. Ashimbayev told about the work done and performed by "zhurt zhumysy" (Akhmet's expression) – "nationwide work" at the republican events held on October 1 in the homeland of the Teacher of the Nation.

I would like to remind you of another news of the year of Akhmet studies, which was announced by the newspaper "Egemen Qazaqstan" at the time: the 150th anniversary of Akhmet Baitursynov is included in the list of nominal anniversaries of the UNESCO organization. It is an honor for the New Kazakhstan. This is a significant achievement for the national science and culture.

Within the framework of this organization, which systematizes and develops interethnic coordination at the world level, the anniversary of Akhmet Baitursynov is celebrated in Paris, Ankara and other foreign cities.

A few days ago, a delegation of Kazakhstan arrived at UNESCO headquarters in the capital of France to hold Akhmet Baitursynov's anniversary events in the format of conferences, master classes, meetings, conversations with various cultural and scientific centers, scientific and intellectual community, representatives of the Kazakh diaspora. The delegation included members of the State Commission – academicians of the National Academy of Sciences Mambet Koigeldiev, Zeynep Bazarbayeva, corresponding member of NAS Ziyabek Kabuldinov, Director of the Institute of Linguistics Anar Fazylzhanova, head of the Akhmet Baitursynov Museum Raikhan Imakhanbet, Director General of the center "Til-Kazyna" Erbol Tleshev, Professors Omirkhan Abdimanuly, Bagdan Momynova, Zhamal Mankeeva, author of this article, our compatriot Kairbek Kemenger, director of the Baitursynov Museum in Kostanay Gulbanu Sarsekeyeva, as well as foreign scientists – Professors Julia Cengel (Turkey), Abdilkaim Kesizhi (Germany), Elchin Ibrahimov (Azerbaijan) – a total of 15 people. I would also like to note that the special delegation of Kazakhstan from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education was headed by Vice Minister Talgat Yeshenkulov, the trip was coordinated by Chairman of the Committee on Language Policy Adilbek Kabayev, Head of the State Language Development Department Gulfariza Mukan.

The moderator of the conference "Akhmet Baitursynuly and Renaissance civilization" in the solemn hall of the UNESCO headquarters was the Vice-Minister, PhD-Professor T. Yeshenkulov. At the beginning of the event, a video film "Kazakh civilization and Akhmet Baitursynuly" was shown.

During the opening ceremony of the scientific forum, the congratulations of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev were read out by the Permanent Representative of the country to UNESCO, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the French Republic and the Kingdom of Monaco Gulsara Arystankulova. Then the Deputy Director General of UNESCO Xing Qu took the podium, who congratulated the leadership and people of Kazakhstan, as well as the participants of the conference on this significant date. Ahmad Pakatchi, representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran at UNESCO, spoke from a high rostrum about the place and role of Baitursynov in the formation of philology in the Asian region as a science.

The plenary session heard the reports of Professor of Abai University, academician M. Koigeldiev "A. Baitursynuly. Resistance to violence"; Professor of the Azerbaijan University of Languages E. Ibrahimov "Report of Akhmet Baitursynuly at the Baku Turkological Congress"; Chief Researcher of the Institute of Linguistics, Academician Z. Bazarbayeva "Akhmet Baitursynuly – the phenomenon of the Teacher of the nation"; Director of the Institute of History and Ethnology Z. Kabyldinov "Socio-political activity and worldview of A. Baitursynuly"; Doctor of Political Sciences A. Kesizhin "Activity of A. Baitursynuly on the recognition of the Kazakh nation on the world map"; speech by the author of these lines "The statehood of Alash and the personality of Akhmet Baitursynuly"; Professor of the University of Hadji Bayram Veli H. H. Chengel "Akhmet Baitursynuly: when and how Kazakh authors appeared"; E. Tleshov "Scientific knowledge of A. Baitursynuly and M. Auezov: continuity and similarity". At the end of the scientific event, a presentation of the collection "Akhmet Baitursynuly. Selected works" in Kazakh, English, Russian, Turkish.

During meetings, conversations with representatives of France and other European states, scientists and figures of Kazakhstan presented research in the field of science and education, significant projects related to the study of the creative heritage of the past, innovations in linguistics, literary studies, historical methodology. We held discussions and exchanged views on issues of scientific cooperation, shared experiences during master classes.

There are many threads connecting Akhmet Baitursynov with France. Firstly, when comparing language materials, the scientist always clarifies: "pyransoz tili" – "French language".

Secondly, the writer published in the newspaper "Kazakh" several articles about the First World War, in which he assesses the political position of France.

Thirdly, when analyzing scientific culture and literature, he analyzes the experience of France in world civilization.

Fourth, in his articles, translations in the field of methodology and pedagogy, he mentions "pyransoz adisi" - "habits of the French".

Fifth, in the correspondence between A. Bukeikhan and A. Baitursynuly, which we found in 1992 in the NKVD archive, we are talking about the preparation of Amre Kashaubayuly's trip to Paris.

It should be noted that in the book by A. Benningsen and S. Lemarcier-Kelkejey "The press and the national movement of Muslims in Russia before 1920", published in 1964 by the Sorbonne University, an analysis of the works of the Alash intelligentsia, including Akhmet Baitursynov, was made.

Without a doubt, all these are significant topics that are waiting for their researcher.

Akhmet Baitursynov wrote: "Science and art equate the rootless to the noble, the poor to the rich." Here the educator by "art" meant the technique and technology of that time. The yurt in the logo of the newspaper "Kazakh", the upper nightmare of which opens from the West, – Alash's dream can be considered as a model of modern free, updated Kazakhstan.

As Baitursynov said, the right project is a good custom. But how can we fill the essence of a people who have learned lessons from difficulties with patriotism, justice, diligence, intelligence? That's the question. The anniversary events in Paris dedicated to Akhmet made us think about this as well.

The image of the Teacher of the nation both in his native country and in Europe, as it were, speaks for itself: "You have to study to be educated. You need a craft to be rich. It takes unity to be strong. We need to work to achieve all these goals."

Postfactum.kz from the CCS