― 22 ноября 2024 г.

90th Anniversary of the Authors' Association of Kyrgyzstan celebrated in Bishkek

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Head of the Presidential Administration Akylbek Japarov, the Secretary of State of the Kyrgyz Republic Suyunbek Kasmambetov, the  Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy Altynbek Maksütov, the  President of the Authors' Union of the Kyrgyz Republic Kanybek Imanaliev, the Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev, the President of the Association of Authors  of Eurasia Ufuk Tuzman, the Kazakh author and President of the Association of Authors of TURKSOY  Ulugbek Esdavletov, the Vice-President of the Union of Authorss of the Republic of Uzbekistan Gayrat Majidov, MPs of the Kyrgyz Parliament and state officials. 
 

In his speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev said : ‘Kyrgyz literature is a literature with a deep-rooted history and rich cultural heritage. Reflecting the history, culture and values of the Kyrgyz people, Kyrgyz literature continues its development today and faces the future with hope.
 

Yes, social, political, economic and environmental changes deeply affect the subjects, language and perspective of literature. In this context, the question of how prepared Kyrgyz literature and the Turkic world are for global events worries us.
 

Throughout history, literature has reacted to global events such as wars, economic crises, migration waves, epidemics and climate changes. These events have left strong traces in literary works and reshaped the emotional world, values and perspectives of societies. Today, literature mirrors society by reflecting the chaos and uncertainty created by global events.
 

Global warming and climate change have become more and more on the agenda of literature. Science fiction and dystopian literature have also produced important works that make us think about climate change and the future of nature. What the literature of the Turkic World has done in this field is a separate issue.
 

Yes, increasing migration movements due to wars, economic crises and political pressures have become one of the most important themes of literature. Migrant stories, identity problems, the search for belonging and cultural conflicts are at the heart of modern literature.
 

On the other hand, although literature does not offer a direct solution to global events, it plays an important role by raising social awareness and critically evaluating events. However, we should all come together to discuss whether literature is prepared for these events.
 

I believe that literature, that is, we as writers, should not only observe world events, but also create our own national revolution. The greatest revolution is the revolution in one's soul and inner spiritual life. When and if we make a full-fledged revolution in our identity as human beings, then each individual will begin to fulfil his or her role in the orbit of consciousness. The opposite of this is manchurianism.
 

For example, books dealing with social injustices in the world, the climate crisis, migration problems and other global events should offer readers alternative ways of thinking and raise awareness.
 

Yes, in order for writers to be even more influential in the future, they need to be innovative, critical, creative and courageously approach social and global issues. Thus, literature will continue to be the most powerful narrator not only of the present but also of the future.’
 

Following the speeches,  it was decided to call upon the United Nations to declare 2028 as the “Year of Aitmatov” due to the 100th anniversary of Aitmatov's birth upon initiative of the President of the Authors' Association of Kyrgyzstan Kanybek Imanaliyev,.
 

The event ended with  a concert featuring the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic named after Toktogul Satyganov  and a group photograph  taken as a remembrance of the day.