Saken Seifullin

Saken Seifullin ( _kz. Сәкен Сейфуллин, 15 October 1894, Akmola uezd, Akmola Province, Russian Empire — 28 February 1939, Almaty, Kazakh SSR) — pioneer of modern Kazakh literature, poet and writer, national activist. Founder and the first head of the Union of writers of Kazakhstan, author of controversial literature calling for greater independence of Kazakhs from Soviet and Russian power. Repressed and executed in 1939.

Biography

Was born in 15 october 1894 in a nomadic settlement in Akmola uezd (now Karagandy Province).

Education

From 1905 to 1908 — Seifullin studies in Russian-Kazakh school under Spassk brass works. Then he studies in Akmola in primary parish school and Akmola three-class city school. In addition he teaches Russian learners in muslim medrese. In August 21 of 1913 года Seifullin enters to Omsk teaching seminarium. His first article was published in Novembers edition of "Aikap" magazine. From this time he is spied upon by Omsk ohranka.

In 1914 Seifullin became one of the heads of the first cultural and educational society of Kazakh youth "Birlik" (Unity) in Omsk. His book of poetry (Past Days) publishes in 1914.

In 1916 Saken works in a commission of property census of 12 volosts of Akmola uezd. In this year he wrote a poem "Volnenie" (Unrest), dedicated to Central-Asian unrest in 1916.

From the September 1 of 1916 he teaches in Bugula school, in which he took part in its founding.

In March 9, 1917 he moved to Akmola, where he wrote a welcoming poem of February revolution ""Спешно собрались мы в поход"".

In April 1917 Saken Seifullin created social-political and cultural society named "Жас қазақ" ("Young Kazakh"). In July, 1917 he participated in issue of "Tirshilik" ("Life") newspaper.

From September Seifullin teaches in new Russian-Kazakh school of Akmolinsk three-month pedagogical courses.

Right after the Russian Revolution, S. Seifullin wrote a poem "А ну-ка, джигиты!" which is known to be the first work of Kazakh soviet literature. In December 27, 1917 Soviet regime established in Akmolinsk. Seifullin was elected the member of Akmola Deputy Board and was appointed the national commissar of education. In February he was admitted to party. In May 1, 1918 held the premiere of a spectacle by the play of S. Seifullin "Бақыт жолына" ("On the way of happiness").

Civil War

When in June 4, 1918 White Guard conducted a revolution, Seifullin was arrested and sent to Petropavlovsk jail. He was put in a Death Carriage of ataman Annenkov, where he spent 47 days. He broke out of kolchak prison and reached his village by July. After two month he was forced to run for Taraz.

Capture and Execution

Seifullin as captured by the agents of the NKVD from Moscow in February 1939 and executed and deemed as a "threat to the society" and "nationalist". However, since the Independence, Saken Seifullin is often considered as one of the most influential Kazakh thinkers of the 21st century, and a large contributor to the Kazakh culture and literature, and a martyr for freedom.

Persondata
NAME=Seifullin, Saken
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Сейфуллин, Сәкен
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Pioneer of modern Kazakh literature
DATE OF BIRTH=15 October 1894
PLACE OF BIRTH=Akmola uezd, Akmola Province, Russian Empire
DATE OF DEATH=28 February 1939
PLACE OF DEATH=Almaty, Kazakh SSR