Suleimenov, Olzhas Omarovich
(b. 1936), Kazakh writer and politician. Olzhas Omarovich Suleimenov contributed to the rise of Kazakh nationalism during the Soviet era by publishing his controversial book Az i Ia (1975), which was a historical-philosophical essay on Turkic historical destiny, the history of interaction between nomads (Turks) and settlers (Slavs), and the place of the Kazakhs in the historical development of Eurasia. Born in Almaty, Suleimenov worked as a journalist and editor before his book won him nationwide recognition and a reputation as the "opener of the difficult issues in national history." The book was condemned by Moscow policymakers as nationalistic and was banned until 1989.
With the introduction of Gorbachev's policy of glasnost, Suleimenov became increasingly active in Kazakh political life, sharply criticizing Moscow policymakers' mistakes in Kazakhstan. In February 1989, Olzhas Suleimenov, on the wave of the growing criticism of nuclear testing in Semipalatinsk, founded one of the first political movements in Kazakhstan—Nevada-Semipalatinsk. This movement became a prominent and influential nongovernmental organization from 1989 to 1991, preceding the rise of national parties and organizations. In 1991 he founded the People's Congress of Kazakhstan.
Suleimenov remains one of the most popular writers and politicians in post-Soviet Kazakhstan. He supports moderate nationalism, liberal reforms, and a balanced approach to the Law on Languages. He and his supporters have contributed to moderating mainstream Kazakh nationalism by making it more liberal and compromising.
Further Reading
Harsha, Ram. (2001) "Imagining Eurasia: The Poetics and Ideology of Olzhas Suleimenov's Az i Ia." Slavic Review 60, 2: 289–311.
Suleimenov, Olzhas. ([1989] 1992) Az i Ia Almaty, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan Publishing House.
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