― 16 мая 2025 г.

Commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the birthday of Alıkul Osmonov and the 1030th anniversary of the Manas Epic with an international event in Elazığ

The 110th anniversary of the birthday of Alıkul Osmonov and the 1030th The 110th anniversary of the birthday of Alıkul Osmonov, one of the pioneers of Kyrgyz literature, and the 1030th anniversary of the Manas Epic, a shared memory of the Turkic World, have been commemorated with a comprehensive international event held in Elazığ between  May 15th- 17th, 2025.

Mr. Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY, described Alıkul Osmonov's poetry and the Manas Epic as the common heart of the Turkic World in his speech at the opening ceremony of the events. Raev stated the following in his speech: "Today, we have gathered here to discuss, remember, and keep alive two great cultural elements that embody the shared memory, shared heart, and shared language of the Turkic World: the poetry of Alıkul Osmonov and the words of the Manas Epic.

Alıkul Osmonov is not just a poet; he is also a refined narrator of emotions and thoughts. Despite living a life filled with hardships, he managed to overcome these challenges through art and words filled with hope and resistance.

The Manas Epic is not merely a tale of heroism; it is the memory, conscience, and future ideal of a nation. We will continue to work to keep this great legacy alive and to make the common voice of the Turkic World be heard louder and stronger."

The event was organised in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of Elazığ, the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Municipality of Elazığ, the Fırat University, the Chingis Aitmatov Institute of Language and Literature of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Alıkul Osmonov Research Centre, the Presidency of the Manas Academy, the Kyrgyz El Birliği and the Manas Publishing Houses. The event held with the participation of many scholars, poets, authors, artists and high-ranking officials from Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan, turned Elazığ into a cultural meeting point for the Turkic world.

Among the guests of honour of the event were TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the Kyrgyz Ambassador to Ankara H.E. Mr. Ruslan Kazakbayev, the Chief Advisor to the President of Kyrgyzstan Cholponbek Abikeev, the Head of the Panfilov Regional Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakmamat Masaidov Yuldashevich,  the Representative of the Chuy Region Gulmira Kishtoobaeva Alimbekovna, and the Deputy Governor of the Issyk-Kul Province Asilbek Ahmedsharipov.

The events began on Thursday, May 15th with a student event held under the motto ‘The Star of Kyrgyz Poetry: Alıkul Osmonov’ held at Akhmet Yassawi High School of Social Sciences. In the afternoon of the same day, a panel discussion on ‘The 1030th Anniversary of the Manas Epic’ was held at the Fırat University.

On Friday, May 16th, the main part of the programme was held with the official opening ceremony at the National Park named after Chingis Aitmatov. The ceremony began with a performance of the Janissary Band of the Municipality of Elazığ followed by Manasçı Rıspay Isakov reciting excerpts from the Manas Epic. After the opening speeches, a photo exhibition was visited  and a traditional Kyrgyz yurta dedicated to Alıkul Osmonov was inaugurated. While Harput folk songs were performed inside the yurta, traditional Kyrgyz dishes were served to the participants.

During the panel discussion held on the same day, Alıkul Osmonov's literary legacy was discussed, and a documentary film about Osmonov by Kyrgyz director Ayday Çotueva was screened for the audience. The day ended with a poetry and music programme entitled ‘A Night in Honour of Alıkul Osmonov.’

Secretary General Sultan Raev met with the former Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar and the Governor of Elazığ Mr. Numan Haitpoğlu.

The event went on with the ‘Gathering  of Issyk-Kul and the Caspian Sea’ to be held in Sivrice on Saturday,  May 17th. 

Within this framework, water brought from the Issyk-Kul Lake will be poured into the Caspian Sea, and the spiritual bond between the two peoples will be symbolically emphasised. On the same day, participants will visit Harput and get acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage of Elazığ.

The events  ended with a wrap-up meeting at the Manas Publishing House on Sunday, May 18th, 2025.