― 11 июня 2025 г.

Panel discussion on ‘Identity, Memory and Common Culture in Chingis Aitmatov’s Works’ held in Bishkek

A panel discussion on ‘Identity, Memory and Common Culture in Chingis Aitmatov’s Works’ was held at the forum on ‘The Future of the Turkic World’ in Bishkek. 

Organised by TURKSOY and the Chngis Aitmatov Institute, the forum entitled ‘Chingis Aitmatov, the Future of the Turkic World’ began on June 10th, 2025. Within the scope of the forum, a panel discussion on ‘Identity, Memory, and Common Culture in Chingis Aitmatov’s Works’ was held at the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU).

The panel held with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Presidency for Turks Abroad and International Cooperation (YTB), and the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) took place in the conference hall of the Rectorate Building on the Campus of the KTMU and gathered Mr. Sultan Raev, the Secretary General of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture TURKSOY, the President of the Chingis Aitmatov Institute and MP of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Türkiye from Samsun Prof. Dr. Ilyas Topsakal, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bishkek H. E. Mr. Mekin Mustafa Kemal Ökem, the Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY Mr. Sayit Yusuf, the People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Mr. Sakit Memmedov and the President of the Chingis Aitmatov Foundation in Kyrgyzstan Mr. Eldar Aytmatov along with  scholars and students.

Issues discussed at the panel moderated by the Rector of the KTMU Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan pertained to the Chngis Aitmatov Institute established in Ankara as well as to thoughts and memories of the  Kyrgyz author Chingis Aitmatov.

Aitmatov is a golden bridge  bringing Turkic peoples closer together

In the speech he delivered at the panel, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev stressed that Aitmatov was an exceptional figure for the Turkic World not only in terms of his literary contributions but also in terms of the key role he played in  uniting cultures and said: “We see the interest and respect shown by our Turkish brothers and sisters for Aitmatov’s works as a sign of respect towards the Kyrgyz people. The fact that this panel on Aitmatov is being held in Bishkek by an Ankara-based institute is highly significant. This once again demonstrates the depth of the cultural and emotional ties within  the Turkic World. Türkiye is unoubdtedly the country of the world with the most frequent publication and highest demand for Aitmatov's works. There are very few nations that love and read Aitmatov as much as the Turkish people. He built a cultural bridge between our peoples with his works; Aytmatov is a golden bridge bringing Turkic peoples closer together."

Secretary General Raev also underlined that even in the works he wrote during the Soviet era, Aitmatov remained deeply committed to national values and showed strong concern about the potential loss of Kyrgyz culture. Mr. Raev noted that this stance is most clearly evident in works such as ‘The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years,’ ‘Farewell, Gulsa,’ and ‘The White Ship.’

In the opening speech he deliivered at the panel, Mr. Topsakal said: "We have built great institutions. We have built great buildings. These are achievements which are relatively easy to be reached. But it is very difficult to fill these buildings and institutions  with art, love, wisdom and truth. This can take hundred years. We need great artists and philosophers to do that. This is why Chingis Aitmatov is so important for us."

Mr. Topsakal who also said that Chingis Aitmatov’s works are most popular in the United Kingdom added that this should also be the case in the Turkic World.

TURKSOY Secretary General Raev drew attention to the role of the KTMU in the education system of Kyrgyzstan, as well as to the Chingis Aitmatov Institute established in Ankara.

The Acting Rector of the KTMU Prof. Dr. Almaz Ibrayev stressed that Chingis Aitmatov is not only the author of Kyrgyzstan but of the entire Turkic World.

The opening speeches were followed by a panel discussion on ‘Identity, Memory, and Common Culture in Chingis Aitmatov’s Works’.

Prof. Dr. Muhammet Hanifi Macit from Türkiye who presented a paper on ‘A Comparative Study of Mankurtisation in Chingis Aitmatov’s Works and Opposition to the Western Interpretation of Memory Loss,’ stated that: "Given the circumstances of the period he lived in, Aitmatov struggled against the political arena and the authoritarian/totalitarian system. But rather than resorting to radical opposition, he prefered to do so by  using the language of art, which proved to be more effective than the power of weapons. Various fictional characters used by Aitmatov in all his works show how Western colonialist policies can silently force a given society to turn its back on its own history and tradition an deven feel ashamed of its own cultural values."

In her paper on ‘Chingis Aitmatov, What we know about Him and What We do not’, Prof. Dr. Leyli Ukubayeva from the KTMU pointed out that the Soviet regime did not allow Aytmatov to write his works in Kyrgyz language.

Another lecturer from the KTMU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirgül Tekeshova presented a paper on ‘Chingis Aitmatov and Common Turkic Literature,’ and said that: "Even if this could have meant for him to risk his own life, Chingis Aitmatov always told the truth. He courageously criticised the shortcomings of the social and political system. He asked for an explanation to be given concerning  for what had happened and wanted people to assume their responsibility in what had been done. There was a significant reason for him to follow his own path: that reason was his father.‘