Gulzhan Aspetova Zharylkaskyzy

Gulzhan Aspetova Zharylkaskyzy was born on May 28, 1946, in the village of Merke, Zhambyl region.

In 1963, she graduated from the secondary school in Merke.

From 1963 to 1967, she studied at the Kurmangazy State Conservatory in Almaty, in the theater department under the guidance of A. Tokpanov.

In 1967, during her graduation performance, she successfully portrayed the role of Karakoz in M. Auezov’s play “Karakoz,” which led to her invitation to work at the Kazakh Academic Drama Theater named after M. Auezov. She worked there uninterruptedly until 1999.

At the invitation of the famous director, People’s Hero of Azerbaijan, Azizbayjan Mambetov, she joined the Kalibek Kuanyshbaev State Academic Kazakh Musical Drama Theater in the capital.

Roles on stage:

In the plays of famous authors, she stood out for her authenticity in roles such as:

K. Mukhamedinov’s “Boltirik Borik Astynda” as Jamila,
K. Shangytbaev and K. Bayseytov’s “Beu, Kyzdar-Ay!” as Kunsulu,
K. Mukashev’s “Dala Dastany” as Makpal,
O. Bokeyev’s “Kulynym Menin” as Anar, and many others.

She also performed roles in national and world dramaturgy, including:

M. Auezov’s “Karakoz” as Karakoz,
“Kara Kypchak Kobylandy” as Kurcha,
N. Hikmet’s “Farhad Shiryn” as Mehmanebanu,
T. Akhanov’s “Ant” as Batima Khanim,
L. Dyurko’s “Electra, Suiktym Menin” as Electra,
W. Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” as Katerina,
“Julius Caesar” as Calpurnia,
Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King” as Jocasta, and many more.

Her film roles include:

Leading roles in “Nesibeli”, “Tozyzynshi Uldan Koryk”, “Jau”, and “Mosfilm’s” Kitters Kettende and “Ak Baksі” as well as the television film “Enlik-Kebek”.

Awards:

Since 1981, she has been recognized as “People’s Artist of Kazakhstan.”
In 1993, she was awarded the title “People’s Artist of Kazakhstan.”
In 2014, she received the S. Maykanov Prize at the National Theater Festival in honor of S. Maykanov’s 100th anniversary.
In 2015, she was awarded the Labor Veteran title.
In 2015, she received the State Scholarship.
In 2016, she was named the “Honored Citizen of Merke.”
In 2017, she was awarded the first Sakhna Ger-2017 National Prize for “Stage Life” by the Kazakhstan Theater Association.
In 2018, she was honored with the “20th Anniversary of Astana” medal.
In 2018, she received the Best Actress nomination for her role as Pamela in the play “Dear Pamela” at the SAMGAU VI International Theater Festival.
In May 2019, she was invited to the XI National Festival dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kyrgyz actress and USSR People’s Artist Dargul Kuyukova. She held masterclasses at the Kyrgyz-Turkish “Manas” University in Kyrgyzstan. During the festival, she was awarded the Diploma by the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic for her role as Tolganai and became an Academician of the Kyrgyz Republic Theater Workers’ Union.

Alongside her successful career on stage and screen, Gulzhan Aspetova made significant contributions to the education of future artists. She served as a professor at the Department of Theater and Directing at the Kazakh National University of Arts.