ON NEMAT KELİMBETOV’S LITERARY WORKS IN TURKEY
Kelimbetov’s book of “I Don’t Want To Lose My Hope” soon became a favorite of Turkish readers. This book has affected everyone from a 10 year old child to a 70 year old elder. Many readers say, they were very impressed by the book and publication of the book in Turkish was rewarding. Particularly young readers say they had been impressed by the book.
After increasing requests from readers three more books of the author were published in Turkish. They are “Letters to My Son”, “Jealousy” and “Elderlies”. I translated from Kazakh into Turkish all books of Kelimbetov. I thoroughly enjoyed translating the books.
The books are very impressive and informative. You can see in his works that Kelimbetov had many experiences in life and had closely observed human psychology. From this point of view Kelimbetov can be respected as a wise man of our time
The book “I Don’t Want To Lose My Hope” contains especially important observations about patient psychology. This case reminds me of Peyami Safa, one of Turkey’s leading authors. Because, he tells successfully in his novel “The Ninth Dormitory of Hospital” treatments of a youth and his love with a girl at that time. Peyami Safa was able to portray successfully a patient psychology in his first novel. Because, the author himself suffered bone tuberculosis, it is extremely realistic because of reflecting their own experiences. Therefore, this book was an autobiographical novel.
“I Don’t Want To Lose My Hope” is also Nemat Kelimbetov’s autobiographical novel. Peyami Safa describes in his novel his mental illness and how he fell in love. Kelimbetov tries to stress that the human will and tenacity can overcome all difficulties. Inculcating young people with determination by this aspect the book has universal character.
The book of “Letters to My Son” consists of 32 letters which Kelimbetov wrote to his son who was studying in the United States. Kelimbetov explains to his son the importance of having various human and national values in these letters. Indeed, it is very important that young people stake out a claim on values of their culture at the time of globalization in which cultures have been inextricably intertwined and dominant cultures have suppressed weak culture. In this book Kelimbetov describes to his son deep historical and literary features of the Kazakh culture.
The book of “Jealousy” successfully demonstrates the devastating effects of jealousy common among people in the society. We encounter in this book sagely comments and descriptions as well as deep observations about people. We think that this book especially should be read by successful people who always attract jealousy of people around themselves.
Book of “Elderlies” is also about the human behavior. Especially in our time many old people want to act like young people. They can’t accept being an old person. Attracting attention to this situation the author says that the agedness is an usual period such as man’s childhood and youth and that men should live this period in a natural way. He puts the emphasis on the society, that especially young people who need the elderly to behave like an old man. With these features it is a book that a lot of lessons can be drawn from.
Besides this book contains of a drama of Kelimbetov named “I Don’t Want To Lose My Hope”. In addition, there are in the book interviews with Kelimbetov and articles written by various authors about him before and after the death of Kelimbetov. This is also very important. Especially because the Turkish readers can read thorough information about Kelimbetov, their favorite writer.
I met Kelimbetov after his books were published in Turkish. I was invited to a meeting on the works of Kelimbetov held in Almaty on 19th November of 2010. I met with Kelimbetov there for the first time. After the meeting the next morning I went to his home twice and have had the opportunity to talk to him. I saw in him simplicity, love for literature and books. We exchanged ideas on some issues. I invited him to visit historical and touristic places in Istanbul in the early summer. He has never previously travelled to Istanbul. He said he wanted to see Istanbul the cultural center of the Turkic world and to meet Turkish scientists. However, this visit never realized. This two days were my first and last meetings with Nemat Kelimbetov. Soon, not more than a month after, I heard with a great sadness that he passed away on 14th of December in 2010.
The irreplaceable loss of the Kazak literature caused great sorrow among the Turkish literary circles who had newly recognized him and his works.
Kazakh scholar and writer, Nemat, also passed away as many people from this world. As they say names of good people and works of scholars are immortal, name of Kelimbetov will live forever as well, no doubt in the hearts of readers all over the World, not only the Kazakh people.
Prof. Dr. Abdulvahap Kara
Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University