Detective Fiction and Science Fiction: Trends in the Development of Contemporary Genre Prose

On November 12, the Scientific Library hosted a panel discussion entitled “Detective Fiction and Science Fiction: Trends in the Development of Contemporary Genre Prose” as part of the nationwide “Reading Nation” project.

Opening the event, Deputy Director of the Scientific Library Zhanar Bekaidarkyzy spoke about the purpose of the meeting. She noted that the library regularly organizes literary meetings and events with readers, and that the “Reading Nation” project has given new impetus to this work.

A participant in the discussion, Aigul Duisengalieva, Senior Lecturer at the Department of English Language of the Faculty of Philology, emphasized the significance of the project and wished the organizers and participants fruitful work.

The main topic of the discussion was the short story “Oñ qol” by the renowned writer Tolen Abdik. The special guest of the meeting, poet Ykylas Ozhaiuly, discussed with the participants how mysticism, science fiction, and psychologism are intertwined in the work. During the conversation, they addressed the interaction between the conscious and the unconscious, the inner struggle between good and evil, as well as psychological trauma passed down from generation to generation. The poet noted that it is important not only to read works of fiction but also to reflect on them deeply, relating the events described to real life.

As part of the event, the audience was shown a video trailer based on the short story. The screening was followed by an interactive discussion, during which the participants asked questions and shared their views on the literary, psychological, and philosophical content of “Oñ qol.”

The meeting was also attended by Zhaksybai Boranbayev, Head of the Regional Project Office of “Reading Nation” for the city of Astana. He spoke about the work being carried out within the project and presented letters of appreciation to L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, poet Ykylas Ozhaiuly, and the Scientific Library for their active participation in the implementation of the “Reading Nation” project.