Today, the International Engineering and Technological University hosted a literary and cultural evening dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the birth of Mukagali Makataev, an outstanding figure of Kazakh poetry and a prominent representative of the nation’s spiritual heritage. The event aimed to promote the poet’s rich literary legacy, to enhance students’ interest in poetry and artistic expression, and to highlight the spiritual continuity between national and world literature.

The evening opened with a meaningful poetic introduction that emphasized the philosophical depth of Makataev’s poetry and its close connection to the human inner world. It was noted that the poet’s work transcends individual experience and has become a voice expressing the spiritual consciousness of an entire people, thereby shaping the conceptual direction of the event.

As part of the program, a slide presentation dedicated to the poet’s life and creative path was presented. It covered his native village of Karasaz, key stages of his biography, major creative periods, and the thematic features of his poems and poetic works. The presentation enabled participants to gain deeper insight into the historical and spiritual significance of Makataev’s literary heritage.

One of the most substantial moments of the evening was the speech by Merey Bekbolatkyzy, a lecturer at the METU College and a native of the poet’s home village. In her address, she shared thoughtful reflections on Makataev’s life and work and recited a poem with sincerity and emotional depth. Her performance created an atmosphere of focused silence, clearly demonstrating that Makataev’s poetry remains a living spiritual force.

During the artistic segment, students recited excerpts from the poem “Ғашықпын” (“I Am in Love”), conveying through stage performance the subtle dimensions of love, sincerity, and inner emotional experience. The emotional tone of the program was further enriched by a poetic dedication to Mukagali Makataev performed by Khasengali Marzhan.

A notable highlight of the evening was the musical performance by the head librarian, Zagi Saduaqaskyzy Makhambetova, who sang the song “Ұнатамын мен сені” (“I Like You”) based on Makataev’s lyrics. The harmonious blend of melody and poetic text complemented the overall atmosphere of the event and evoked a strong emotional response from the audience.

The program also featured a stage performance inspired by Romeo and Juliet, emphasizing the timeless nature of love as a universal value shared by both national poetry and world literature. In addition, poems were recited in Russian and English, illustrating that poetry transcends linguistic and national boundaries.

An interactive segment titled “Continue the Poem” actively engaged the audience, as participants completed lines from Makataev’s poems. This activity confirmed the enduring presence of the poet’s work in cultural memory.

The evening concluded with a performance of Alexander Pushkin’s Tatiana’s Letter, once again highlighting the spiritual resonance between Makataev’s poetry and the world literary tradition. In their closing remarks, faculty members emphasized the strong educational and spiritual value of the event.