Chingiz Aitmatov contributed significantly to fostering friendship between the peoples of Russia and Kyrgyzstan and was inherently a creator, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said at the international conference commemorating the 95th anniversary of the writer's birth.
"Aitmatov did a lot to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between peoples. He called for a dialogue of civilizations. By nature, he was a creator and uniter," she said at the opening ceremony of the international conference.
She noted that she remembers well the time when people lined up in long queues for Aitmatov's books, and the record in libraries stretched for weeks and months. "It wasn't just public recognition. It was true glory and nationwide love. The merits and talent of the writer were recognized all over the world," Matviyenko stated. The speaker of the Federation Council emphasized that Aitmatov brought Kyrgyz heroes to the world "literary stage" for the first time, showed the beauty of its beautiful land. "He was an ardent patriot of Kyrgyzstan. Always urged the people of Kyrgyzstan to cherish the historical memory, the rich cultural heritage of their homeland," she said.
At the same time, the distinguished writer, as noted by the FC speaker, particularly valued the friendly relations between Kyrgyzstan and Russia. "Chingiz Aitmatov firmly believed that preserving and enhancing ties with Russia aligns with the interests of Kyrgyzstan. Similarly, he expressed the significance for Russia to maintain close relations with Kyrgyzstan and all Central Asian countries. The present-day policies of our two nations faithfully resonate with the ideals championed by the great writer," Matviyenko remarked.
Chingiz Aitmatov, born on December 12, 1928, in the village of Sheker, Talas region, lived just six months shy of his 80th birthday. He passed away on June 10, 2008, in the clinic of the city of Nuremberg due to pneumonia. Aitmatov was a prolific writer, penning numerous novels and novellas in both Russian and Kyrgyz languages, including notable works like "The First Teacher," "Jamila," "Plakha," "The White Ship," and "Spotted Dog Running at the Edge of the Sea". His literary contributions have been translated into 176 languages, and the overall international circulation of Aitmatov's books amounts to approximately 80 million copies.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS