About life on stage and off: a book about a famous dancer was presented in Astana

The Kazakh National Academy of Choreography hosted a presentation of a book-photo album dedicated to the life and work of the outstanding dancer, People’s Artist of the Kazakh SSR Gulzhan Talpakova. The publication “Patterns of Gulzhan Talpakova’s creativity” consists of unique archival photographs reflecting the versatility of the life and work of a unique performer of dances of the peoples of the world.

The illustrated book is published in Kazakh and Russian language and tells about the life of the national artist, who was full of creativity, inspiration and gratitude to her audience. The author and compiler of the publication was senior teacher of the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography, candidate of art history Anvara Sadykova.

“It took a little less than a year to collect and process the archive. The book was conceived as a photo album, but in the process of work, unique photographs were framed with meaningful text. Particular attention was paid to the chapter “Life in Dance”, where key concert numbers were analyzed, which became the calling card of Gulzhan Talpakova. A huge amount of work has been done on retouching, restoration, attribution and restoration of archival photographs by Alexey Nekrasov. The editor of the publication is Doctor of Philology, Professor Zhanna Tolysbaeva; the book was translated into Kazakh by Symbat Koilybaeva and Saltanat Dungenbaeva.”

Let us remind you that Gulzhan Talpakova is a dancer and choreographer, People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, born in 1948 in Atyrau. She was a soloist of the legendary ensemble “Gulder”, as well as a soloist of “Kazakhconcert”. During the period of her creative activity, Gulzhan Talpakova performed on stages in 52 countries. She made a huge contribution to the development of Kazakhstani culture. Dozens of national dances from her solo repertoire, such as “Aizhan Kyz”, “Erke Bala”, “Kos Alka”, “Diamond Pheasant”, “Altynay”, etc. became the property of national choreography.

The time when Gulzhan Izimovna worked can be described as a bright and eventful period. She performed in concert teams in the countryside, government concerts and abroad. She has always been a great success. If artists of other genres convey ideas to the viewer through words or melodies, then Gulzhan Izimovna managed to energize the audience with her movements and rivet their gaze to the dance, noted the former general director of the Kazakhconcert state association, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Valery Kuzembaev.

Famous choreographers, prominent public figures, students and simply lovers of Gulzhan Talpakova’s work came to the solemn presentation of the book. The event was held in the educational theater of the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography.