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On the 97th anniversary of the great writer Chyngyz Aitmatov, the Faculty of Humanities, Communication, and Fine Arts organized a comprehensive commemorative program at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU). On 12 December 2025, the universal values of Aitmatov’s literary and artistic heritage were felt throughout the university campus.

Commemorative Events Began with a Museum Visit

The commemorative events began with a visit to the Chyngyz Aitmatov Museum. KTMU academicians and students toured the museum, where they explored the writer’s life and intellectual world. The visit provided an opportunity to better understand Aitmatov’s literary journey and creative legacy.

An Artistic Journey into Aitmatov’s World at Kurmanjan Datka Art Gallery

Following the museum visit, the program continued with a mixed exhibition titled “Dedication to Aitmatov”, organized by the KTMU Faculty of Fine Arts at the Kurmanjan Datka Art Gallery.

KTMU Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. İsmet Altıntaş emphasized that the events carried special significance for Kyrgyzstan and the Turkic World. He stated: “Today is the birthday of Aitmatov, one of the greatest values of the century. Aitmatov is the writer who first introduced the concept of mankurtization. The concept of the mankurt is a powerful metaphor describing individuals who forget their culture and nation. We must never become mankurts.”

Prof. Dr. Altıntaş concluded his speech by saying: “If I may share a personal feeling, for me the novel ‘Asra Bedel’ makes this day even more special. Today is not only Aitmatov’s birthday but also a day of great value for the Turkic World. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who participated in and supported these events.”

Special Panel: “Understanding Aitmatov” at the Faculty of Humanities

Another significant part of the program was the panel titled “Understanding Aitmatov”, organized by the KTMU Faculty of Humanities. Prof. Dr. Layli Ükübayeva — one of the foremost scholars associated with Aitmatov studies, and writer Asan Ahmatov shared insights into Aitmatov’s literary vision, character world, and his influence on world literature through academic and literary perspectives.

The program was attended by Deputy Rector Prof. Dr. Almaz Ibraev; Vice-Rectors Prof. Dr. İsmet Altıntaş and Prof. Dr. Kamalbek Karymshakov; Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Aşık; Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özkarcı; Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Besim Yıldırım; academicians, and students.

KTMU Deputy Rector Prof. Dr. Almaz Ibraev emphasized that literature shapes societies’ intellectual worlds and carries cultural memory into the future. He stated: “Today is not only a historical anniversary but also a special day reflecting the shared spirit of Kyrgyzstan. In 2011, the Jogorku Kenesh declared 12 December as National Literature Day, highlighting the importance of literature in shaping national identity. I sincerely congratulate everyone on this meaningful literary holiday.”

Prof. Dr. Ibraev also emphasized Aitmatov’s literary and philosophical legacy, quoting an Arabic proverb: “The best friend in every era is a book.” He highlighted universal values, social challenges, and humanitarian issues reflected in Aitmatov’s works, noting that commemorating such a great writer worldwide is a great honor for Kyrgyzstan. “Aitmatov is the shining star of the Turkic World and a source of pride,” he added.

Prof. Dr. Ibraev further underlined that Aitmatov lived through challenging times, gained profound life experience, and reflected these experiences in his works with great professionalism. He emphasized Aitmatov’s unique role in maintaining cultural identity and values: “We are a generation raised by reading Aitmatov’s works. He particularly drew attention to the mankurt metaphor, emphasizing the importance of memory, identity, and roots. Therefore, we must always protect our culture, language, and traditions.”

Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Aşık stated that Aitmatov is not only a great writer but also a value for all humanity, emphasizing the richness of Kyrgyz language, culture, and history: “We are grateful to this great master who left us an invaluable cultural and literary heritage.”

Following the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Layli Ükübayeva and writer Asan Ahmatov held the panel discussion titled “Understanding Aitmatov”, sharing insights into the writer’s literary heritage, intellectual depth, and universal impact. 

The question-and-answer session offered valuable advice to young participants, emphasizing the message: “Read books and continuously develop yourself.” The discussion left participants with an unforgettable literary experience through sincere narration and in-depth analysis.

Aitmatov’s World Brought to the Stage

After the discussions, students from the KTMU Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Theatre, presented “Aitmatov’s World: A Stage Performance” to the audience.

During the program, academicians and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts staged an impressive theatrical performance inspired by Aitmatov’s works. In the “Artistic Reading” section, students performed excerpts from The White Ship, Face to Face, Early Cranes, and Mother Earth, which were received with great interest by the audience. The performance also featured the song “Miss of Issyk-Kul,” sung by students.

Aitmatov’s Heritage Lives On

The commemorative events for Chyngyz Aitmatov continued throughout the day at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University. Literary and artistic performances highlighted themes central to Aitmatov’s works, including humanity, nature, and social values. The program concluded with a group photo.

The events emphasized KTMU’s commitment to maintaining and transferring Chyngyz Aitmatov’s literary heritage to future generations. The university continues to keep the writer’s legacy alive through academic and artistic events held annually.