Kazakhstan Celebrates Lovers' Day Honoring Epic Couple
Kazakhstan celebrates a unique national holiday, Lovers' Day, on April 15. This day honours the legendary couple Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu from a 13th–14th century Kazakh epic poem. The celebration involves releasing paper lanterns, similar to the inaugural event in 2011 that saw over three thousand people participate in Almaty.
The epic tale of Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu is one of the oldest and most widely known works in Kazakh literature. Their tragic love story involves a betrothal, a changed plan, a death, and revenge before both lovers meet their end. A mausoleum dedicated to the couple stands in East Kazakhstan Region, near the village of Tansyk. Built from flat stone and clay mortar, it is nearly intact and reaches a height of 11.65 meters. The mausoleum was listed as a monument of history and culture of republican significance in the Kazakh SSR in 1982. In 2013, the city of Ayagoz in the same region unveiled a monument honouring the legendary couple. The place where the mausoleum is located is called Koyandy.
Kazakhstan's Lovers' Day celebrates the enduring love story of Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu. Their mausoleum, a testament to their legacy, stands tall in East Kazakhstan, recognised as a significant historical and cultural monument. The holiday serves as a reminder of their timeless tale, bringing people together to celebrate love.
