― 22 декабря 2023 г.
Park and Memorial named after Chingis Aitmatov inaugurated in Elazığ
A park and memorial named after Chingis Aitmatov were inaugurated in Elazığ on December 21st, 2023 in commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the birthday of the famous Kyrgyz author Chingis Aitmatov.
The park was built in near the building of the Provincial Directorate of Security, where the terrorist attack took place on August 18th, 2016, causing the death of 3 police officers and leaving 217 citizens injured. The governorship and the municipality named the park and memorial after the world-famous Kyrgyz author, diplomat and statesman Chingis Aitmatov.
At the ceremony organised for the opening of the Chingis Aitmatov Park and Memorial, a minute of silence was observed for the martyrs. This was followed by the National Anthem and a janissary band performance prior to a reading of some parts of the Manas Epic by Tölebek Musaoğlu.
In the opening speech he delivered at the ceremony, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev emphasized that they had come together to commemorate the famous Kyrgyz author Chingis Aitmatov, a common value of the Turkic World, to inaugurate the "Chingis Aitmatov Park and Memorial" and to convey some important facts about his life. Mr. Raev further expressed his "great honour to be in the city of Elazig, a city of culture, art, knowledge and wisdom".
Pointing out that Chingis Aitmatov is a national author and a representative of Turkic literature, Raev said: "The Kyrgyz author Chingis Aitmatov, I an author who made significant contributions to the Turkic World. Chingis Aitmatov's works deal not only with issues related to the Turkic World, but also with universal themes. He has addressed a wide readership with his works dealing with universal issues such as human rights, love, freedom and justice. Hence, his works enjoy worldwide recognition and his thoughts contributed to the independence of Kyrgyzstan and its international recognition."
Expressing his gratitude to those who contributed to the opening of the park and the Memorial, Sultan Raev said, "May the "Chingis Aitmatov Park and Memorial" serve as a symbol conveying his works to young generations and be auspicious to our brothers and sisters from Elazig and to the whole Turkic World. This Park and Memorial aims to preserve and transmit the cherished memory of Chingis Aitmatov to future generations as a common value of the Turkic World and honorary compatriot of Elazığ."
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ömer Toraman said that Chingis Aitmatov, who came to Elazığ in 2007 on the occasion of the 15th Caspian Poetry Evenings, one of the most important cultural and artistic events of the Turkic World, left an indelible trace in the memories.
Stating that Aitmatov was a author and statesman whom the Turkish nation embraced and read with great sincerity, Toraman said, "Chingis Aitmatov said, 'I see Elazig as the spiritual sustenance of the Turkish people' and entrusted us with the following will; In order to develop science, civilisation and culture in the Turkic World, we need to be united, act together and be in solidarity. Based on his guidance and legacy, we are happy to have such an important institution as the Organisation of Turkic States today. I hope that this Organisation of Turkic States will go further and turn into an organisation of Turkic unity."
The Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Ankara Ruslan Kazakbayev also expressed his condolences to the Turkish people for the earthquakes which hit the country on February 6th, 2023 in Kahramanmaraş and said: "Today, the Republic of Türkiye is much stronger in world politics as well as in economic, military, commercial, cultural and technological terms. It is one of the leading countries in the world. Achievements of our kindred Republic of Türkiye are a great source of pride for the Turkic world."
The Chief Advisor to the President of Kyrgyzstan, Arslan Kapayoğlu Koyçiyev, expressed his happiness to have come together with the people of Elazığ in this beautiful event.
Emphasising that Elazığ is an ancient city, Koyçiyev said, "The 21st century is the century of the Turkic era, the century of the peoples of Turkic origin, and this beautiful event stands as a great evidence thereof.
Emphasising that Elazığ is an ancient city, Koyçiyev said, "The 21st century is the century of the Turkish era, the century of the peoples of Turkic origin, it is the most obvious example of this, I see such a beautiful event as a great evidence."
Mayor of Elazığ Municipality Şahin Şerifoğulları stated that they are happy to keep the name of their honorary compatriot Chingis Aitmatov, one of the most important writers of world literature, alive in the city.
Expressing that Aitmatov is a precious value recognized as such not only by the Turkic World but also by humanity as a whole, Şerifoğulları said: "Besides being a world-renowned author, Aitmatov is an exemplary figure who reads the spirit of the time with his many titles ranging from author to politician and statesman. Aitmatov who always puts humanity in the centre of his works and is a cornerstone of our culture and mentality said: 'The most difficult thing for a person is to remain human”. Hence, with universal values he deals with in his works, he will always remain a source of inspiration for future generations.
The speeches were followed by the inauguration of the Park and Memorial named after Chingis Aitmatov.
The ceremony was attended by Nurlan Kalibekov, President of the Authors' Union of the Kyrgyz Republic, Prof. Dr. Abdıldacan Akmatalıyev, Director of the Chingis Aitmatov Institute of Kyrgyzstan, Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Göktaş, the Rector of the Euphrates University, Serhat Kabaklı, the President of the Turkish Literature Foundation, Yakup Ömeroğlu, the President of the Eurasian Authors' Union, Ahmet Demirdağ, the Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism and representatives of institutions and organisations as well as scholars and citizens of Elazığ.
