Several events have been held in Germany as part of commemorated of world renowned author of the Turkic world, Chingiz Aitmatov, on the 10th year of his death.

The commemoration program organized by Yunus Emre Institute's Berlin branch on December 12, 2018 was attended by Kyrgyz Ambassador Otorvaev Erines Motejevich. In his speech, Ambassador Motejevich stressed that the views of Chingiz Aitmatov should be promoted and his legacy should be preserved. 

During the program, Dr. Martin Hartwig, from the German-Kyrgyz Cultural Association, made a presentation. Also, passages in German, Turkish and Kyrgyz languages from Dr. Mahabat Sadyrbekov's novel "Dschamila" were read and the photography book of Gudrun Krippner, "Kırgızistan'dan Anlar" (Moments from Kyrgyzstan), was promoted.

Messages from Distant Lands

In the program held in Yunus Emre Institute's Cologne branch, a journalist and author, Dr. Irmtraud Gutschke talked about Aitmatov.

Noting that Aitmatov earned international repute by discussing the common themes of the Turkic world such as love, self-image, justice, responsibility, and loyalty, Gutschke said: "With his messages from distant lands, Aitmatov reminds us Europeans of our losses and makes us discover what we have forgotten. Whoever knows his roots has a comprehensive vision of the future."

Passages from Aitmatov's "Jamilia" and Gutschke's recently published "Versprechen der Kraniche. Reisen in Aitmatows Welt" were read.