Honoring a National Hero: Chyngyz Aitmatov Week at AUCA

December 15, 2014

The "Kelechek" (future) Kyrgyz language club and the Kyrgyz language department have organized the week of 'Chyngyz Aitmatov' dedicated to his life and work which coincides with his birthday on the 12th of December.

From the 8^th to the 12^th of December, students at AUCA prepared a variety of interesting events and programs for the celebration of Chyngyz Aitmatov's birthday. The goal of the weeklong program was to improve students' knowledge about Aitmatov's life and works, promote interest in his books, and to honor his tremendous contribution to Kyrgyz and world literature. In the framework of the week several activities were held, including an exposition about his life and books, a competition among students, a display of the movie “Cranes Fly Early”, a literary-musical evening, and a performance called «12 Days» by actors of the Theater of the Young Audience named after B. Kydykeeva.

The program of the event included:

Monday – Exhibition on the publications and stories written by Chingiz Aitmatov in the foyer of Bravo at AUCA

Tuesday – Quiz night devoted to Chingiz Aitmatov’s publications and biography

Wednesday – Movie night “Rannie Zhuravli” (Early Cranes)

Thursday – Literal Poetical evening - discussion between AUCA students and other students from other universities on the issues that Aitmatov raised in his publications about Kyrgyz language

Friday – “12 days” spectacle in the CH-1 by the actors from the theatre “Yuniy Zritel”.

The play “12 days” was performed by the actors from the theatre “Yuniy zritel” and was held in CH-1 in Kyrgyz. A lot of students, including international, enjoyed the performance. “The story was about a Kyrgyz family living in a city. One day the family decides to go to Issyk-kul, but the father buys only 2 tickets because the rest are already sold. They do not know with whom to leave their daughter. Finally they decide to leave their daughter with her aunt (sister of her father). But there is a problem, the aunt doesn’t know Russian and the daughter doesn’t know Kyrgyz. The story is really funny and at the same time it teaches each viewer how knowing your language is important”, said Samat Durusbekov, student of Anthropology.

When the students at AUCA were asked who Chyngyz Aitmatov is for them, the responses were positive. “He is a mysterious author for me. All of his works are ambiguous and when you finish reading at the end you think of your own ending of the story. This is you, who decide how the story will end, whether it will have a happy ending or sad. An example of such stories can be “Beliy parokhod”, where the boy jumps into the water and it ends, or maybe “Jamliya”, where she runs away from her husband’s house with her lover”, said Samat.

We also talked to the members of the Kyrgyz Kelechek club Aida Tynychbekova and Aiymbubu Dzhaparkulova, senior students of Sociology, who were the main initiators of organizing the event. We asked them why they chose to be the initiators of organizing an event dedicated to Chyngyz Aitmatov’s birthday.

 “The Chyngyz Aitmatov’s Week was organized by the Kyrgyz Kelechek Club and Kyrgyz Language department. This week was dedicated to Chyngyz Aitmatov’s birthday, which is on December 12. Our club decided to hold this event because Aitmatov is the most well-known Kyrgyz poet (well-known all over Central Asian countries and worldwide) who contributed to the promotion of Kyrgyz language. This event commemorates his work and emphasizes his literature. His books are famous all over Kyrgyzstan, and include important topics on humanism, global citizenship, and etc.”, they said.

What are your favorite books of Chyngyz Aitmatov?

Aida: Almost all of his books, but my most favorite ones are “Beliy Paroxod” and “Jamilia”, these books are related to my inner world. During the First Year Seminar class here at AUCA, students are reading the story about Jamilia. In this short story they learn about the culture and traditions of Kyrgyz people, and at the same time they read an exciting story about love. Even the French poet Louis Aragon said that “Jamilia” is one of the most wonderful love stories.

All of his publications are written in two languages (Russian and Kyrgyz). His works had been translated into 165 languages. His books are really exciting to read, however his books are kind of books which you can read any time. No matter which year, the topics are always relatable.

Aiymbubu: My favorite book is “Perviy Uchitel” (First Teacher). This book shows how education was important for the Kyrgyz people during the Soviet times. It shows how a teacher was passionate about education and how the main actor (Altynai, I think) always wanted to change the mind of people about education during the Soviet regime. Another book of him is “Materinskoe Pole” – this book is about the relationships between mothers and their sons. And about how World War II changed attitudes of sons and their relationship with their family members, especially with their mothers.

Are there only Kyrgyz students in your club?

International students at AUCA don’t know much about our club, but still before we had students in our club who were from America, Afghanistan and etc.

What do you think, why Aitmatov is famous everywhere?

Aiymbubu: Most of his books are written based on true stories (for example, Materinskoe Pole). And even if they are not, they are written so that a reader feels himself in the story while reading it. His books are not as usual books as of other authors – always with happy ends. Most of his books have sad endings with tragedies and bad moments.

Aida: In addition to that, he was an Ambassador and a political leader. He had his own style of writing which is very different from what other poets are writing.

Anything else you want to add?

Aiymbubu: He is a legendary personality! Chyngyz Aitmatov was always passionate about humanism and tolerance, he grew up in a wonderful family and he raised wonderful children, who are helping the society today. His sister – Roza Aitmatova, is in academia. His son – Eldar Aitmatov – coordinates the Foundation of Chyngyz Aitmatov. I think there are some projects at the foundation, where they help young writers. His daughter – Shirin Aitmatova, is a Deputy in Jogorku Kenesh, in Atameken party.

Aida: I read an interview with him in one newspaper where he regrets 3 things that he couldn’t learn: driving a car, typing on a computer, and English.

My favorite quote of Aitmatov is: “The most difficult thing for humanity is being human!”

 

 

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