During the week from 8^th to 15^th of December in celebration of the 90^th anniversary of Chingiz Aitmatov the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in China has organized several large-scale events with the participation of Former President of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva and the son of the writer – Eldar Aitmatov. In light of the anniversary, following events were organized: Days of Kyrgyz cinema in China, international scientific conference, book and photo exhibitions, presentations of new 7 books of Chingiz Aitmatov in Chinese, theatre performance, concert and joint event with SCO.

Dedicated to the Days of Kyrgyz Cinema, three movies: “The White Steamboat”, “Mother’s Field” and “The First Teacher” recognized as Kyrgyz and Soviet classics were on display in Beijing, starting from December 13 through December 15. Around 500 people, including representatives of government agencies of the People’s Republic of China, Kyrgyz students studying in Beijing, ethnic Kyrgyz and academics from the Kyrgyz Republic and the People’s Republic of China took part in the Opening Ceremony of Days.

International scientific conference “Chinghiz Aitmatov in the global cultural context” was organized on December 14-15. More than 100 scientists and current academic professors from Tianjin, Nankai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Dalian, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic participated in the conference. Representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the P.R. of China, diplomatic corps and SCO Secretariat took part in the Opening Ceremony. The welcoming speeches were delivered by  Former President of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbaeva, Former Ambassador Azamat Usenov, Rector of Renmin University of China Li Wei. The conference consisted of three parts: “Works of Chinghiz Aitmatov”, “Ch. Aitmatov in China” and “Ch. Aitmatov in the World Culture”, in light of which, academics presented on the creative works of the writer, his spiritual heritage, humanitarian values and moral indicators and influences in his works.

For the participants of the conference, the “Jamilia” play was organized, the producer of which is the famous journalist and public figure – Assol Moldokmatova. Following artists from the Kyrgyz Republic took part in the play: Akylbek kyzy Ainura, Sabyrzhan uulu Sanzhar, Nurzhaasyn Dzhumagulov, Talant Apyev, Azamat Okenov, Zharkyn Ayilchieva and Distinguished Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic Nazira Mambetova.

On December 14^th  “Event dedicated to the 90^th anniversary of the Kyrgyz people’s great son, Classic of world literature, Symbol of the dialogue of cultures and tolerance Chyngyz Aitmatov” was organized in collaboration between the Embassy and the SCO Secretariat in light of the chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic in Shanghai Cooperation Organization which attracted more than 300 distinguished guests.

Former President of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva, Former Ambassador Azamat Usenov, SCO Secretary General Rashid Alimov, and Deputy Chairman of the China Association of International Friendly Contacts Xin Ji delivered welcoming speeches at the opening ceremony of the Event. The Event was attended by representatives of Chinese state agencies bodies, including the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Hanhui, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations, Chinese public organizations, academic circles, and business representatives.

As part of the Event, guests were given an opportunity to watch a documentary on life and works of Chinghiz Aitmatov, and at the book exhibition presented 78 books of the writer in Chinese and languages of ethnic minorities of China preserved in the Fund of the China National Library. The evening completed with a concert program with the participation of soloists of the Kyrgyz National Drama Opera and Ballet Theatre named by A.Maldybaev: Distinguished artists of the Kyrgyz Republic Aybek Saralaev, Baktybek Ybykeev, Asel Aidarova, international competitions awardees Zaira Raimbekova, Julia Babich, and Ermek Maraimov. During the concert the artists performed arias and ballet performances based on the books of Chingiz Aitmatov, as well as works of classical music.

To familiarize a wide audience with the life and work, as well as with diplomatic and social activities of Chingiz Aitmatov, the Embassy organized two photo exhibitions: on December, 8-15 in the main hall of the Library of the Renmin University of China and on December, 14 during the joint Event guests were also presented a special photo gallery.

Also in those days it was presented a new 7 books in Chinese: “Scaffold”, “White cloud of Genghis Khan”, “Farewell, Gulsary", “Cassandra's Brand”, “Legends and tales”, “When the mountains fall” and “Collection of scientific articles” about Chingiz Aitmatov, published in China in the current year by the initiative of the Embassy of Kyrgyz Republic in China in honor of the anniversary of the writer.

The events took place during the week, re-awoke the interest of the Chinese audience to the personality and creativity of the famous writer and contributed to the further strengthening of bilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China.

Photo report from the held events.