The Kazakh national epic Narqyz, created in the early 20th century by the prominent akyn Nurpeis Baiganin and published in English in 2024, has received a personal letter of gratitude from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, William. This marks the first time in history that a work of Kazakh oral literature translated into English has received official recognition at the level of the British Crown.
A letter of appreciation on behalf of the Prince of Wales was addressed to the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press, which released Narqyz in English on the initiative of the Nurpeis Baiganin Cultural Foundation of the People’s Akyn of Kazakhstan (Almaty). The publication was made possible with the support of JSC KazAk. The letter noted that the Prince of Wales deeply appreciated the efforts to preserve Kazakh cultural heritage and expressed sincere gratitude for the publication of a work that embodies the national literature and traditions of Kazakhstan.
“It was encouraging to learn that Narqyz has now been published in English, to further embody Kazakh national culture and literature,” reads the letter bearing the coat of arms of Kensington Palace, issued on behalf of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The poem Narqyz tells the story of a warrior girl and akyn who became a symbol of female leadership and national spirit. It was created in the traditions of Kazakh oral literature, with musical accompaniment on the dombra and rich figurative storytelling. The English translation of the book was made possible thanks to the support of the author’s grandson, Yerbolat Baiganin.
According to representatives of the publishing house, Narqyz is “not just an epic, but an act of cultural diplomacy,” offering both British and Kazakh audiences a unique perspective on history through the lens of feminine strength, poetic tradition, and cultural resilience. The publication has already received the Hertfordshire Press Award as the “Best Epic of the Year” in 2024.
The book is available through the official online store: discovery-bookshop.com
Hertfordshire Press is a unique publishing house that introduces English-speaking (and not only) readers around the world to Eurasia through books by regional authors, magazines, travel guides, and the organisation of literary festivals and forums. Since 2002, the publisher has specialised in translating contemporary fiction and non-fiction by authors from Eurasian nations, as well as reissuing works from past decades that remain relevant today but are unavailable in English. The catalogue includes over 250 titles from 15 countries, with total circulation exceeding 1,000,000 copies. The publishing house maintains a strictly apolitical and non-religious stance, remaining committed to the support of culture and the arts.
