Poet Temirkhan Medetbek, who called the Zhanaozen incident a national tragedy, has passed away

At the age of 81, after a long illness, prominent poet Temirkhan Medetbek—People’s Writer of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize, and recipient of the “Kurmet” and “Parasat” orders—has passed away, reports the national portal “Adyrna.” Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information expressed deep condolences and praised the poet’s literary contributions. “Temirkhan Medetbek was a poet with a great heart. His poetry glorified patriotism and heroism, reflecting deep thoughts on honor, dignity, homeland, and the nation, influencing generations. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” the official statement said. Temirkhan Medetbek was born on March 6, 1945, in the Amangeldi kolkhoz (now Nurtas village), Turkistan district, South Kazakhstan region. He authored numerous poetry collections, including Before the Journey (1973), Distant Kilometers (1975), Pigeon Feathers (1982), Voice (1984), Poems of Fateful Years (2000), and Echo of the Blue Turks (2001). He also wrote notable poems such as Monologue of Makhambet’s Spirit, Kultegin, and Tonykok. His literary reflections were compiled in works like The World of Abai (1995), Who Inherits the Ancestors’ Traditions?, and The Artery. His poems were translated into several languages, including Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Ukrainian, Russian, Chinese, and Tatar. Beyond his poetry, Medetbek is remembered for his strong civic stance. During the Zhanaozen incident, he stood with the people and spoke out for social justice. He was active in advocating for land rights and the state language, and one of the few intellectuals who publicly defended the rights of Kazakhs being persecuted in China on an international level. Many are sharing tributes and memories of the poet online. Erkanat Taukeybayev wrote on Facebook: “He was one of the few poets who never strayed from truth and justice. His words and poems cut deep. Temirkhan Medetbek—The elder has passed away. May he rest in peace. Back in 2005, I saw him on a bus on Abai Street. I asked, ‘Are you Temirkhan Medetbek?’ He replied, ‘No, you must be confusing me with someone else.’ Maybe he was shy I recognized him…” Journalist Kasym Amanzhol wrote: “Temirkhan Medetbek was a true poet and a true citizen. He lived honestly. Even in his eighties, he remained respected and fearless, always speaking his mind. He was calm, warm-hearted, spirited, and courageous. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family, colleagues, and readers. May your grief be eased.” Poet and composer Ykylas Ozhai wrote: “Whatever you aimed for in life becomes your legacy. And death is the final verdict of your lived truth. A dishonorable death exposes your flaws like a traitor. But you passed away without bowing your head, without kneeling, without begging like some do. You came beautifully, and you left beautifully… Farewell, the Kultegin of Kazakh poetry…” Poet Ularbek Daleyuly was among the first to share the sad news: “Another FATHER has left us… Another dear FATHER of ours has departed this world. I don’t know about others, but in Almaty, he took us under his wing, always speaking the most sincere words. There are many elders ahead of us, but his moral height was unmatched. When he wrote poetry in the echo of the Blue Turks, we saw in him the fierce FATHER of Kazakh verse. Alas, the heart breaks once more…”