“Awaken, Kazakh!” Kazakhstan’s History on Television: Reconstruction, Interpretation, Controversy

Описание: “Kazakhstan’s History on Television: Reconstruction, Interpretation, Controversy” is dedicated to the narrative representation of Kazakhstani history on television. Recent fictionalized biographies about leading Kazakh intellectuals such as Abai Qunanbayev (Qunanbaiuly), Ahmet Baitursynov (Baitursynuly), and Mirzhaqyp Dulatov (Dulatuly) evoked strong reactions among native audiences, especially from young viewers. The presentations will offer keys to a deeper understanding of this phenomenon and reflect on how these films have shaped perceptions of Kazakhstan’s past both domestically and internationally. Join us for a fascinating discussion on the intersection of history, culture, and public discourse in contemporary Kazakhstan.

SPEAKERS

Karlyga Myssayeva is an associate professor in the Journalism Department at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Kazakhstan and currently a Visiting Scholar at IERES. She holds a PhD in Journalism from al-Farabi Kazakh National University. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Ohio University, a Research Scholar at Oklahoma State University, and a post-doctorate program (IFEAC) scholar at Strasbourg University in France. Her research interests focus on New media and Social media development in Central Asia.

Murat Yeszhan is a filmmaker based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He studied journalism at Kazakh National University in Almaty and worked as a journalist and reporter at a national TV channel. His debut was the short drama “I’m Going to Paris…,” produced and filmed in San Francisco. In his recent works, the director deals with themes of Kazakh history, repression, and decolonization. Filmography: I’m Going to Paris, 2017 (short); Тиын (Coins), 2019 (feature); Абай жолы (The Path of Abai), 2020 (TV series); Ахмет. Ұлт ұстазы (Ahmet. Teacher of the Nation), 2021 (TV series); Міржақып. Оян, қазақ! (Mirzhakyp. Awaken, Kazakh!), 2022 (TV series, feature).

MODERATOR

Peter Rollberg is Professor of Slavic Languages, Film Studies, and International Affairs at the Gorge Washington University. He specializes in the history of Russian and Soviet literature and film, Georgian and Kazakh cinema, and Soviet and post-Soviet media.