― 24 сентября 2025 г.
‘Koruğlı’: an Epic play highly acclaimed at the Theatre Festival of TURKSOY
Inspired by ancient epics of Turkic peoples, the epic play ‘Koruğlı’ (Köroğlu) was performed at the Third International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY. The play, which premiered in February 2025 and lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes, was strongly appreciated by artists of the Turkic World and theatre lovers of Aktau.
Exploring the depths of the Turkic epic tradition, ‘Koruğlı’ tells the story of an extraordinary hero, sent to earth by God's will, and his struggle to free Turkic peoples from the dark captivity of Şadat Khan and bring them to freedom. On stage, it is not just a hero who is portrayed, but a symbol of the shared values and the quest for justice for the future of the entire Turkic World.
TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, who watched the performance himself, stressed that theatre is a cultural bridge between peoples and said: ‘The way to build a common language in theatre is to produce works based on shared values.’ Mr. Raev also drew attention to the importance of passing on the rich epic heritage of the Turkic World to new generations through such works.
The performance of the play featured a highly skilled creative team composed of prominent names such as Gavlar Alay, winner of the ‘Asamti’ award, responsible for the direction and lighting design, Gulayana Alina, member of the Kazakhstan Artists' Union and a distinguished figure in the field of culture who was responsible for the stage and costume designof the performance, Assistant directors Erkebulan Beken and Örbolat Orınğali, composer Kayrat Aktayev, lighting designer Nazım Utesinova, music arranger Azat Eshirbayev, theatre manager Aydos Tastayev, who has achieved outstanding success in the field of culture, and artistic director Medgat Ömiraev, winner of the ‘Darın’ State Youth Award and ‘Medal of Outstanding Service’.
The play, which attracted attention with its rich cast, featured Nağımanbey Kudaybergenov and Bagadat Aytbarhan alternating in the role of Koratalı. The main roles were performed by Meyra Bakberdiyeva, Elmira Kerimbayeva, Diliya Bitmaliyeva, Sara Soltanbek, Merey Ezimtay, Umitjan Kenesova, Erkebulan Ibrahim, Sağadat Seytkozhayeva and Lashyn Osmanova, all recipients of the Medal of Merit. Erkebulan Beken performed as “Shadat Khan”, while Anar Beyenbina and Ermek Arıkov played the roles of “Mağat Khan” and the “Vizier”. Other key characters in the play were performed by Ramazan Tanıkbayev, Beknur Bekimov, Faruk Ferhan and Azamat Arıstanov.
With the magical atmosphere of an epic tale it created thourh its visual colourfulness, original music, and powerful performances, ‘Koruğlı’ offered an unforgettable theatre experience to the audience.
