“My father departed this world on January 9, 2025, at 7:55 PM local time (January 10, 5:55 AM Kazakhstan time) at his home in Maryland, USA, surrounded by his children,” Yedige wrote on Facebook.
Mukhtar Magauin was born on February 2, 1940, in Chubartau District, Semipalatinsk Region (now Ayagoz District, East Kazakhstan Region). A graduate of Kazakh State University, he began his career in 1965 as a literary critic for Kazakh Literature and later worked in publishing, academia, and creative writing.
His literary career started in 1959, and he gained recognition for works such as the historical novel Alasapyran, Kok Munar, and his autobiographical novel Men. Magauin was also a notable translator, bringing global classics into Kazakh.
A champion of Kazakh history and culture, Magauin’s contributions earned him numerous awards, including the title of “Best Writer of the Turkic World” in 1997 and the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR for his novel Veshnie Vody. His works continue to influence and inspire readers worldwide.
