Qarashanyraq

Behind the Book:

Kazakhs. Who are we today? What are we like? What remains in us of what is truly Kazakh? What have we managed to preserve, and what have we lost along the way? What do we still hold dear, and what have we deliberately left behind?

These are the questions that well-known writer and film director Ermek Tursunov attempts to answer in his characteristic ironic style. According to him, there is such a thing in human nature as genetic memory. It doesn’t fade and is a powerful aid in recalling the past – recalling it and believing in one’s own strength.

This book, written in a lively and engaging style, is a humorous decoding of ancient Kazakh customs and traditions. It is not a call to return to the “good old days,” but rather an attempt to aid in the search for lost roots.

The book is intended for a broad readership.