Kyz Zhibek (epic)

In the epic Tolegen, son of a wealthy family, falls in love with the beautiful Zhibek and travels far to win her hand. On his way back he is killed by his jealous rival Bekezhan, while Zhibek remains faithful to her love.

Passed down by akyns from generation to generation and first written down in the 19th century, it is one of the best-loved epics, celebrating the loyalty and beauty of Kazakh women and life on the steppe.

Yevgeny Brusilovsky's opera Kyz Zhibek, staged in 1934, was the first Kazakh opera, and the 1970 film Kyz Zhibek is one of the most famous works of Kazakh cinema.