Biography
Date of birth: 03.11.1989
Place of birth: The East Kazakhstan region, Makanchinsky area, village of Barlyk-Arasan.
As a child Olzhas Kuanbay was a bright and capable boy. His father works as a truck driver. When there was no power in the village, he used to bring in a tape recorder and a battery of "KAMAZ" vehicle and Olzhas sang songs. Olzhas’s father plays the accordion and the lute very well. His mother Altynhan is a distinguished teacher of the Kazakh language and literature. She sings very well. Olzhas likes to listen to the heroic epics and songs since his childhood.
In 1997 his family moved to Almaty where he studied at the Gymnasium named after Al-Farabi. A year later in 1999 the first article titled “Olzhas is a young singer” about Olzhas's talent was published in a local newspaper. Listening to the songs of a famous singer Bekbolat Tleukhanov he got to like heroic epics and folk songs even more. As a pupil of the second grade he performed a popular song of Bekbolat Tleukhanov “Elim Menin” at the contest “Aset aganyn andery-ay” and he drew people’s attention to himself. His talent was noted by Altynbek Korazbaev, a National Artist, composer. Olzhas also sang a song by Aset Beyseuov “Maraldym”, he won a special cash prize and People’s Choice Award.
In 2002 he participated in the national reading festival “Balakai” where he performed poetic works of Bukhar zhyrau, Mayke bi, Asan Kaigy, Kabanbai batyr, Karasay batyr. Among the 12 participants he was recognized as the best and he was awarded the 1st place, as well as the title of the Laureate.
In the “Zhetysu” newspaper as of January 19, 2002 there was published another article entitled “Olzhas osynday topzhargan bala”. Director of Secondary School Adilbek Duysebek awarded Olzhas with an honorary letter. The letter said: “We believe that a student who was able to be an example for their peers as well as to defend the honor of his school can provide protection to their country in the future. We thank him for his active participation in the social life of the school, as well as for the activities of the children's organization “Murager”.
Being a 6th grade pupil Olzhas participated in a competition for young poets “Balgyn Daryn” and his poems were published in 2002 by the publishing house “Shartarap” under a title “Zhetysu zhaukazyndary”. On May 18, 2002 Almaty regional Department of Education organized the III reading of Abay poems, where Olzhas was awarded a Diploma of the third degree. After the 7th grade Olzhas entered the Republican specialized boarding school for gifted children with advanced study of the Kazakh language and literature.
In the Republican newspaper “Dala men қala” issued on February 27, 2004 a journalist Kanat Takebaev published an article about Olzhas “Armanga kulash sermegen Olzhas Bekenuly tauday talabymen kuantady” which says “Aspiring to his dream Olzhas Bekenuly pleases us with his success”. The article tells about Olzhas's painting abilities and his extraordinary car designs.
In 2003 in the 8-9th issue of “Atameken-ay” magazine there were published poems written by Olzhas. In 2003 in the 8th issue of the journal “Moldir Bulak” Olzhas's poem “Zhetіm balaga”/ “to an Orphan” was published. In 2004 at the contest “Nauruz oner” competing with pupils of the 9th grades Olzhas was awarded the 1st degree diploma. The republican newspaper "Bilim alemi" as of March 25, 2002 issued poems by Olzhas.
In 2003 in issue № 6 of the national publications “Ak zhelken” the readers saw Olzhas’s picture “Zhaylauda”. On November 28, 2003 based on the results of the Republican Competition in history of Kazakhstan he was awarded the first degree diploma. In 2005 in the intellectual game-contest “Golden Fleece” he won the first place.
In 2005 being a pupil of the 10th class Olzhas participated in the contest “Reading Mukagali Makataev” and again came under notice.
In 2004 a pupil of 9th class Olzhas clearly defined his career. Since this year he began to study at the “Kazakhstan-Japanese Center”. At the center he was given a certificate for attending the courses from 31 October 2005 to 2009. In October 2006 he had his first test of Japanese language (NIHONGO NOURYOKU SHIKEN) and on February 1, 2007 he received a letter of congratulations from Japan. The test was passed.
In 2007 the 11th grade pupil Olzhas participated in the competition of research projects with other pupils. He presented his project “The similarities and differences of case endings in the Kazakh and Japanese languages”. After the Competition Zhanseit Tuimebayev, the Minister for Education and Science awarded the 1st degree diploma to Olzhas.
In January, being the 11th grade pupil he already became a student of the Department of the Japanese Language, Faculty of Oriental Studies, at Kazakh State National University named after Al-Farabi. He was active in public life and became a member of the student organization “Maslikhat”. In 2008 due to his strong performance at the university he was awarded an international scholarship «POSCO Asia Fellowships, posco Tae-Joon Park Foundation».
For his successful study and activity at the university he deserved a free-of-charge study at the military department of the university. On July 18, 2010 at the graduation ceremony of the military department Colonel O.Stepanenko awarded Olzhas Kuanbay, a cadet of the 2nd battery of the 2nd platoon, with a Diploma of the Armed forces of Kazakhstan “for the academic success and good behavior”.
On October 11, 2009 Almaty city mayor Akhmetzhan Esimov organized a cycling ride which was attended by about 400 volunteers. Among them Olzhas was the 16th to come to finish and he was in the rank of the best 20 cyclists.
In 2010 Olzhas took an active part in the youth conference “Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the OSCE - the world’s trust”.
In September 2010 Olzhas received a thank you note from Mr. Atsushi Ogihara, PhD Dr. Japanese University «Waseda University» for his contribution to the cooperation between the Kazakh National University and the University of Waseda.
In October 2010 Olzhas was awarded by “the Center for Special Services to ensure the protection of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan” for the successful completion of the psychological training of volunteers.
A year later for his achievements in studying Korean language he was awarded a diploma of the Korean Center in Kazakhstan. On April 30, 2011 he participated in the 1st Festival of the Korean pop music which was organized by the Korean Embassy in Kazakhstan and was awarded a Diploma. In Kazakhstan’s intellectual competition called “Mysterious Japan” organized by the Department of the Oriental Studies, the Faculty of the Japanese language, Kazakh National University, he was awarded the second degree diploma.
In April 2011 Olzhas took the 3d place in the international conference of young scientists and students “World of Science”.
In February 2011 A.Yu.Verveykin, President of the Kazakhstan’s Federation for ski jumping and biathlon, sent a letter of thanks to Olzhas for providing competent translation to the Japanese technical judges at the 7th Asian Winter Games. During the period from 20.12.2011 to 05.06.2012 Olzhas worked at «Japan Select» company.
In May 2012 Olzhas recorded a popular song “Caruso” of a famous singer Luciano Pavarotti. At a concert organized by Administration of Almaly region he skillfully performed this song. A Kazakh folk singer Bibigul Tolegenova noted his talent and gave her blessing.
In 2012 he won a State scholarship to study at the postgraduate department of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, faculty of the Japanese language, Kazakh State National University named after Al-Farabi.
In 2012 he translated into Kazakh an article “A man and the literary work” by Takenischi Hiroko and the article was published in magazine “ULT BOLMYSY” #10 (12). It was a literary critic for the work “Idzuno Odorico" (pp. 179-187) by a talented writer, Kawabata Iasunari, a Nobel Prize winner.
Olzhas has a tendency to self-development. We wish him continued success!
We thank the Almighty for the support and hard work he gifted Olzhas in his aspirations for self-improvement!
The latest update as of 11.11.2012