Biography

Myrzatay Zholdasbekov is a well-known state and public figure, prominent scientist, literary critic, academician, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Born in May 27, 1937 in Zhambyl region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 1960 graduated from the Philology Department of the Kazakh State University. He started his work at the Chair of Kazakh Literature as assistant, assistant professor, senior teacher and then as the senior lecturer till January in 1977 at the same university. In 1974 he was appointed as the Dean of the Philology Department at the Kazakh State University.

1977-1987 - Rector of Pedagogical Institute of Taldykorgan.

1987-1988 - Minister of Education of the Kazakh SSR.

1988-1990 - Head of the Ideology Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan

1990-1991 - Member of the Presidential Council, State Councilor of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

1991-1993 - Deputy Prime-Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Councilor of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 1993-1996 - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

January 1997 – May 2000 - Founder and Rector of the Diplomatic Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

May 2000 - February 2004 – Rector of the Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilev.

2004-2006 - Head of Research Centre Humanitarian Studies “Eurasia”.

Currently is the Director of the Presidential Centre of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Myrzatay Zholdasbekov is a well-known turcologist, author of many fundamental books such as “Early Period of the Kazakh Literature History” (1975), “Living Sources” (1986, 1992), “Tokhsan Tolgau” – “Folk-lore” (1992), “And Then The Heart Sang Through the Century” (1993), “Genius of National Poetry” (1996), “Nation’s Faith is its’ Hero’s Faith” (1997), “Orkhon Inscriptions” (2001), “ The Stones Speak” (2001), “The Peak and the Gulf” (2002), “Khozy-Korpesh – Bayan Sulu” (2002), “Eltutkha” – “Heroes of Nation” (2002), “Baiterek” (2003, co-authorship), “Kazakhstan in the XXI Century” (2004), “Full Atlas of Orkhon Heritage” (2005, co-authorship), “The Witness of My Days” (2007), “It’s Time to Understand the Word” (2007).

He is the script writer of the feature film “Youth of Zhambyl” (1996), “Khil kopir”- “On the Verge” and as well as of a number of documentaries.

Myrzatay Zholdasbekov is a major organizer of Education, Science and Culture, honorary Professor of several universities; has a diplomatic rank of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Myrzatay Zholdasbekov was awarded with the “Kul-tegin” award (2004) for outstanding achievements in Turcology.

For exceptionally meritorious service to the state is awarded with the honors of “Peoples’ Friendship” (1986), “Khurmet” (1996), “Parasat” (2005) orders and several medals.