Valikhanov: The 19th-Century ‘Meteor’ Uniting Kazakhstan and Russia

Leading politicians, academics, and diplomats from Kazakhstan and Russia have gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy of Chokan Valikhanov, a 19th-century figure whose life and work form a powerful link between the two nations. In a high-level roundtable discussion, more than 20 top figures, including deputies from Russia’s State Duma and Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis, explored ways to popularize the achievements of a man who was both a direct descendant of Kazakh khans and a decorated officer of the Russian Empire.

Dauren Abayev, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Russia, opened the event by highlighting Valikhanov’s monumental impact despite his tragically short life, which ended just before his 30th birthday. “He left behind a legacy that most could not achieve in several lifetimes,” Abayev stated, placing Valikhanov’s name alongside foundational figures of Kazakh culture like Abai Kunanbayev and Akhmet Baitursynov. The ambassador stressed Valikhanov’s unique position as “a spiritual bridge between our two peoples, their past, and their future.”

This sentiment was echoed by participants who viewed Valikhanov as a symbol of a shared heritage. Viktor Seliverstov, a State Duma deputy, called for greater study and recognition of Valikhanov’s work as the first Kazakh topographer and cartographer. His Kazakh counterpart, Professor Erkin Abil, noted the pivotal era in which Valikhanov lived, a time of spiritual crisis when he became a catalyst for the modernization of Kazakh consciousness and laid the groundwork for its first generation of modern intellectuals.

The multifaceted nature of Valikhanov’s life was a central theme of the discussion. Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexander Sternik remarked that Valikhanov’s career was the stuff of a “thriller movie script,” highlighting his brilliant service to the Russian Empire under unique historical circumstances. Meanwhile, Alim Kirabayev of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry pointed to Valikhanov’s famed friendship with Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky as a powerful symbol of the spiritual unity between the two cultures.

Yevgeny Primakov, head of the Rossotrudnichestvo agency, vividly described Valikhanov as “a brilliant meteor that streaked across the expanses of Russia and Kazakhstan.” This meteor left a trail of immense scientific discovery. Scholars at the event recounted his pioneering geographical work in the Tien-Shan mountains, his secret expedition to Kashgaria which provided the Russian Empire with vital intelligence and historical manuscripts, and his groundbreaking academic recording and analysis of the epic Kyrgyz poem “Manas,” which he dubbed a “steppe Iliad.”

Looking to the future, the participants agreed on the urgent need to elevate Valikhanov’s legacy. Proposals included establishing joint Russian-Kazakh academic programs to study his work, free from political influence, and promoting his life story as an example for young people. Zhbek Syzdykova, a professor at Moscow State University, urged for immediate preparations to celebrate Valikhanov’s 200th birthday in 2035, with the ambitious goal of making his name a “symbol for the planet.”

The roundtable concluded with a firm consensus that the study and popularization of Chokan Valikhanov’s life is not merely a historical exercise, but a vital, ongoing project. For both Moscow and Astana, he remains a heroic figure whose legacy continues to serve as a foundation for strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.