On April 15, Kazakhstan celebrates the national Lovers' Day - "Ulttyk Gashyktar kuni". This holiday was established in 2011 and dedicated to the heroes of the famous Kazakh epos Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu, El.kz reports.
The Legend of Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu
According to an ancient poem of the XIII-XIV centuries, two friends, Sarybay and Karabay, swore to marry their children, even before they were born. However, Sarybay died during the hunt, without waiting for the birth of his son, Kozy. When Kozy and Bayan grew up, they fell in love with each other. However, Karabay broke his oath and decided to marry his daughter to batyr Kodar, who once saved flocks. Kodar killed Kozy, and Bayan, decided to take revenge, and then stabbed herself with a dagger on the grave of her beloved Kozy Korpesh.
Mausoleum of Lovers in the East Kazakhstan Region
The mausoleum of Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu is located in the East Kazakhstan region, Ayagoz district, about 10 km from the Tansyk railway station, on the river Ayagoz. The total height is about 12 meters. Inside there are two tombstones belonging to Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan-Sulu.
Over time, the mausoleum underwent several reconstructions, which led to a change in its original appearance. In 1856, the famous Kazakh researcher Chokan Valikhanov, having visited the monument, made sketches of it. The drawings also depict stone sculptures that stood at the mausoleum, which are not now. According to folk legend, the figures depicted Kozy-Korpesh, Bayan-Sula and her two sisters.
Holiday traditions
The holiday emphasizes the values of devotion, purity of feelings and respect for national culture. It is intended to become an independent holiday that reflects Kazakh traditions and spiritual values.
April 15 in Kazakhstan is a day when lovers express their feelings, inspired by the heroic love story of Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu, and celebrate a holiday filled with national spirit and cultural heritage.