World renowned author of the Turkic world, Chingiz Aitmatov, has been commemorated in Ankara on the 90th year of his birth and 10th year of his death in compliance with the instructions from President of Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The event titled "The Life Lasts More Than a Hundred Years" was kicked off on December 10, 2018 and attended by distinguished guests from the world of art, politics and culture.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Republic of Turkey Nadir Alpaslan, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, Ankara Keçiören Mayor Mustafa Ak and Presidency Local Government Policies Board Member Prof. Dr. Şükrü Karatepe were among the invitees to the event where "Mother Earth in the Steppes: Chingiz Aitmatov," a documentary penned by poet and author Ahmet Aycı, was aired.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Republic of Turkey Nadir Alpaslan delivered a keynote speech to note that it is the duty of their Ministry to promote all wise figures of the Turkish-Islamic civilization. "If we manage to convey these values to new generations who will rebuild our future, then our mission will be fulfilled. We will work with might and main to accomplish this mission," he said.

In his speech, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş draw attention to the importance of artistic, literary and cultural activities in making people live and die as human beings. Noting that Yunus Emre Institute has been promoting the language, culture and art of Turkey all around the globe, Prof. Dr. Ateş indicated that they have promoted and continue to promote Chingiz Aitmatov at these centers as part of the "Year of Chingiz Aitmatov" events.

Ankara Keçiören Mayor Mustafa Ak pointed out that Chingiz Aitmatov's works testify to the sufferings of the entire humanity and gives hints about how to leave a better world to new generations.

Importance of sensitivity for socio-cultural composition of society...

Presidency Local Government Policies Board Member Prof. Dr. Şükrü Karatepe shared the highlights of the life of Aitmatov and stated that he was introduced to Aitmatov by his books in 1970s. Maintaining that Aitmatov drew upon Kyrgyz legends and oral culture, Karatepe stressed that Aitmatov's novels masterfully portray the socio-cultural structure of society. He described that Aitmatov was able to produce works with universal appeal by focusing on what was local, and he deserves to be an authority for the entire humanity with the method and literary depth he employed in his works.

A lifetime devoted to literature...

Ömer Erdoğan, the project coordinator of the commemoration program, indicated that the cause Aitmatov defended and the values he promoted made him a fellow townsman in every city not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also in the Turkic world. He argued that Aitmatov's legacy should be treated as a cultural policy.

During the ceremony, Şanlıurfa Mayor Nihat Çiftçi, Bursa Mayor Alinur Aktaş, Balıkesir Mayor Zekai Kafaoğlu, Hacı Bayram Veli University Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Tekin, former Minister Sami Güçlü, and Turkish Veterinary Medical Association Central Council Chairman Ali Eroğlu also delivered speeches.

"Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım"

Following the speeches, Türkan Şoray and Ahmet Mekin, who starred in the film "Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım," adapted from Aitmatov's famous story, The Girl with the Red Scarf, were presented with plaques of appreciation.  In her video message to the program, Şoray expressed her satisfaction over the efforts to bring Aitmatov back to the agenda.

Commemoration of Aitmatov to continue in Germany

Yunus Emre Institute's Berlin branch will organize a commemoration event in cooperation with the German-Kyrgyz Cultural Association on December 12 with the participation of Dr. Martin Hartwig while Yunus Emre Institute's Köln branch will commemorate the Kyrgyz writer on Saturday, December 15 with the attendance of German author Irmtraud Gutschanke.

"Our Sage in the Steppes: Chingiz Aitmatov"

As part of the program, the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture Kyrgyzstan Cultural Consultancy, Kyrgyzstan Chingiz Aitmatov Institute and Yunus Emre Institute work together to collect articles from and made interviews with scholars from more than 30 countries including the UK, Japan, France, Palestine, Germany and Tatarstan concerning the works and art of Chingiz Aitmatov.

Many short story writers, novelists, filmmakers and film critics contributed to this work which has been translated into Turkish, and its editorial was penned down by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This book, "Doğunun Uyanışı Cengiz Aytmatov" (The Awakening of the East: Chingiz Aitmatov), will be published in January 2019 by KAF Yapım-Yayın. The book will be launched in February 2019 at the Presidency Nation Congress and Exhibition Hall under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, and, if attended by the President, as a second program with international participation where the President will address the audience.

The third program will be held as a multi-national, multi-session Workshop on "Educational Issues and Solutions in Chingiz Aitmatov's Works" with the partnership of Hacı Bayram Veli University, Manas University and Kyrgyzstan Chingiz Aitmatov Institute. 

The program will commence on June 10, 2019, on the anniversary of Aitmatov's death, at his grave, and various activities will be held at Manas University in Kyrgyzstan for two days.

The TV documentary, "Mother Earth in the Steppes: Chingiz Aitmatov," will be prepared in Turkish, Kyrgyz and Arabic languages. The documentary will contain remarks from the presidents of the two countries and be aired on TVs on June 10, 2019.