ALMATY – The National Center of Manuscripts and Rare Books has digitized and released a facsimile edition of the oldest surviving manuscript of the Kazakh epic “Edige bi”, a treasure of the nation’s cultural heritage. In the early 19th century, Chingis Ualikhanov, the father of renowned Kazakh scholar, Shoqan Ualikhanov, recopied early versions of the epic to preserve previously lost fragments. The epic stands out for its archaic expressions and unusual linguistic features not commonly found in Turkic languages, highlighting its ancient origins – an aspect emphasized by prominent turkologist Platon Melioransky. According to legend, Edige was buried atop one of the sacred peaks of Ulytau, which today bears his name. The new facsimile edition ensures that one of the most ancient and revered works of Kazakh literature will be accessible to both scholars and the public, preserving its legacy for future generations.