Алаш Орда

Biakhmet Sarsenov is a prominent social and political figure of the 20^th century, a member of the Alash government.

He was born in 1885 in Zaisan district, Naryn parish, Semipalatinsk region (now Aksuat village). Sarsenov fascinated by art since his youth in 1905-1909 goes to study in a seminary for teachers, where he finishes it perfectly. After the successful graduation from the seminary, he remained a teacher for 5 years in the school of Aul. Then, working as an employee in the rural municipality, he opens elementary schools. A young teacher, who had seen the bitter share and poor situation of the poor as a child, could not stand aside from the turbulent events of that time. Meeting with Akhmet Baitursynov and Alikhan Bukeikhanov helped Biakhmet to determine the form of participation in the events of the time; they also were actively engaged in educational and public activities. In the tumultuous years of the February and October revolutions, like many representatives of the Russian and Kazakh intelligentsia, Sarsenov did not immediately understand the essence and content of the events, and for some time was influenced by nationalist sentiments.

He was a member of the Revolutionary Committee for the Management of the Kazakh Region. In 1917, after the overthrow of the Provisional Government, Semipalatinsk he became the center of the national-liberation movement. In the autumn of 1917 at the invitation of figures Alash, Sarsenov comes to the city of Semipalatinsk and works as a member of the regional committee. In November 1917 at the Zemstvo meeting of the Semey County the intelligentsia Sh. Kudaiberdiyev, A. Yermekov, Kh. Gabbasov, B. Sarsenov, A. Moldabayev, A. Kozybagarov, R. Marsekov, N. Kulzhanova, K. Zhanatayev, I. Kazangapov, M.Maldybayev, and others took part. In December 1918 Biakhmet Sarsenov participated in the second All-Kazak Congress in Orenburg, where a special study commission was drawn up. The commission was headed by Akhmet Baitursynov, it included M. Zhumabayev, E, Omarov, B. Sarsenov, T. Shonanov.

At that time the city of Semipalatinsk was part of the Alash Orda government, and Biakhmet Sarsenov was in charge of the department of public education. He dealt with the issues of opening and financing schools, teaching Kazakh children and providing the necessary books. Along with this, he taught various subjects at the teacher’s courses.

Biakhmet Sarsenov actively participates in the cultural life of the city, constantly writes articles for the newspapers “Kazakh”, “Saryarka”. Publications, such as “Autonomy Kenesi” (The Autonomy Consultation), “Birikken yelde bereke bar”(Abundance exists in the united country), “Azik-tulik” (Food), “Rusiyada osi kunde zor masele-azik-tulik” (In Russia the huge problem is food), served as an example for the Kazakh society.

In 1920, Biakhmet began to work in the capital of the Kazakh Autonomous Republic. Then Sarsenov worked in various positions in the field of education. In those days he taught at the courses of teachers in Orenburg and in Kazakh (Kyrgyz) Institute of Public Education (KIPE). According to the archive B. Sarsenov was invited to write textbooks on physics, mathematics.

Unfortunately, the faithful son of the Kazakh people died early. In 1921, on August 22, Biakhmet Sarsenov died of illness at 36 in Orenburg.

After his death, M. Turganbayev and Zh. Aimauytov wrote an article “Biyash” in the newspaper “Kazakh Tili” (The Kazakh language) (the current newspaper “Semey tany” (Semey morning)), which reveals his true goals – to work for the good of the people.

After the son’s death in 1937-1938, B. Sarsenov’s father – Shegedek fell under the repression. And also, the government exerted pressure on his only son Galikhan.