Ilya Zhakanov[1] (born 6 May 1936 in Aktogay village, Sarysu District of Jambyl Region of the Kazakh SSR[2]) was a Soviet and Kazakhstani writer, composer, and art critic.

[7] In 2011 he passed entrance tests at Atyrau State University and later successfully graduated with a diploma in Arts and Design.

[8] His first books Qaita Oralğan An (The Returned song) (1968), Hoş Bol Väls (Goodbye, waltz) (1969) were instant hits.

[9] Ilya Zhakanov published collections of documentary stories of Kazakh cultural professionals Bırınşı Konsert (The first concert) (1971), Ekı Jiren (Two Red Horse) (1976), Mahabbat Välsı (Waltz of love) (1983), Aqqular qonğan aidyp köl (The lake where the swans landed) (1988) and Qarabura (1997).

He has written books about such Kazakh composers as Muqan Tulebaev, Latif Khamidi, Sydyk Mukhamedzhanov, Kapan Musin and Bakhytzhan Baykadamov.