Birzhan Sal Park and Architectural Memorial Complex

The architectural memorial complex in honor of the Kazakh akyn and composer Birzhan-sal was opened on September 14, 2012 on the territory of the House of Culture of Stepnyak, Akmola region, which is the birthplace of the great akyn, it was here that this grandiose structure appeared, immediately becoming the main local landmark.

Birzhan-sal is a unique poet, singer and composer, whose brilliant works glorified his native Sary-Arka. In the nineteenth century, there was no talent equal to him in the Great Steppe. Each of his works can be called a real musical masterpiece.

Already at an early age, Birzhan-sal Kozhagul-uly (1834-1897) became famous as a singer with outstanding vocal abilities and masterfully accompanying himself on the dombra. Famous songs of akyn were performed by all famous singers of Kazakhstan. Being the herald of the people, Birzhan-sal in his songs also denounced the arbitrariness of steppe rulers, such as the volost Zhanbota and Aznabai (by whose order Birzhan-sal had a dombra broken during a visit to the Steppe by Governor-General Alexander Dugamel in 1865 for insubordination). Anger and contempt are heard in the songs "Zhanbota", "Adaskak" and others. The songs of the last years of his life "Zhambas sipar", "Temirtas" and others, imbued with hopelessness and sadness, are marked with the seal of tragedy.

Over forty of his songs have survived to this day, including such recognized masterpieces as "Birzhan", "Adaskak", "Kokshetau", "Zhanbota", "Laylim Shyrak" and many others.

Birzhan-sal was also an unsurpassed master of aitys. His poetic competition with Sarah Tastanbekkyzy, which took place in 1871 in Semirechye, became a classic of the genre. In 1946, composer Mukan Tulebayev based on this aitys wrote the opera Birzhan and Sarah, which included the main songs of Birzhan.

The memorial complex is an architectural composition installed on the highest point of the city. It is noteworthy that this entire complex was built with charitable funds collected by local residents from the countrymen of the great musician. The construction of the memorial became a national affair: someone contributed money, someone assisted in the construction of the complex. All work related to the construction was carried out by the local construction company Khasiyat-Master LLP.

The central part of the architectural memorial complex is occupied by a six-meter-high sculpture of the composer. The sculpture represents the figure of the great akyn standing on a high pedestal, dombra in his hands, and his gaze is directed into the distance, as if he is performing one of his immortal musical works.

There is a small park around the pedestal, a cozy gazebo, paved paths, lawns, decorative lanterns and even a fountain. The author of this composition was a member of the Akmola regional Center of the Union of Artists Manarbek Zhumabekovich Burmaganov.

The perpetuation of the memory of the great Birzhan-sal takes place all over Kazakhstan, so in the city of Kokshetau in 1991 a monument was opened to him, and in 2009 Kazakhfilm shot the feature film Birzhan-sal (directed and starring Doskhan Zholzhaksynov).This film is about choosing between pride and humility, dignity and humiliation, honor and dishonor. It is also a poignant story of last love and loneliness. The filming of this film took place here in the Kokshetau region in Birzhan Sala's homeland.

Already at an early age, Birzhan-sal Kozhagul-uly (1834-1897) became famous as a singer with outstanding vocal abilities and masterfully accompanying himself on the dombra. Famous songs of akyn were performed by all famous singers of Kazakhstan. Being the herald of the people, Birzhan-sal in his songs also denounced the arbitrariness of steppe rulers, such as the volost Zhanbota and Aznabai (by whose order Birzhan-sal had a dombra broken during a visit to the Steppe by Governor-General Alexander Dugamel in 1865 for insubordination). Anger and contempt are heard in the songs "Zhanbota", "Adaskak" and others. The songs of the last years of his life "Zhambas sipar", "Temirtas" and others, imbued with hopelessness and sadness, are marked with the seal of tragedy.

Over forty of his songs have survived to this day, including such recognized masterpieces as "Birzhan", "Adaskak", "Kokshetau", "Zhanbota", "Laylim Shyrak" and many others.

Birzhan-sal was also an unsurpassed master of aitys. His poetic competition with Sarah Tastanbekkyzy, which took place in 1871 in Semirechye, became a classic of the genre. In 1946, composer Mukan Tulebayev based on this aitys wrote the opera Birzhan and Sarah, which included the main songs of Birzhan.