On 14 December, an evening dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of Chyngyz Aitmatov, the great son of the Kyrgyz people, a classic author of world literature, a symbol of a dialogue of cultures and tolerance, was held in Beijing.
"Chyngyz Aitmatov entered the home of every reader on the planet with his own philosophy, his own special outlook on the world of the future," SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said in his opening remarks. "But this outlook has become near and dear to millions of people around the globe," he said adding that the writer was a true herald of peace and development, mutually respectful relations, tolerance and harmony, and a broad dialogue between civilizations and cultures. "There is a lot of overlap between the ‘Shanghai spirit' and the life principles that the writer and the diplomat espoused and followed," Alimov went on to say. "So, the writer's work seems to us even more valuable and inspiring."
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic Azamat Usenov noted that the books by Aitmatov were translated into 176 languages and printed in 128 countries with a circulation of over 100 million copies. "Chyngyz Aitmatov is a life-giving connecting bridge between East and West, between space and time, traditions and innovations," Ambassador Usenov said.
Ex-president of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva took part in the event and handed over a collection of books by Aitmatov published for the writer's anniversary to the library of the SCO Secretariat.
A photo exhibition of the writer and an exhibition of his books in Chinese from the State Library of China were held as part of the evening. His other famous books such as A Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years; Farewell, Gulsary; Scaffold; Cassandra's Brand; White Cloud of Genghis Khan; and Legends and Fairy Tales, which were re-printed in China to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Chyngyz Aitmatov's birth, were also on display.
Assistant Foreign Minister of China Zhang Hanhui, Vice President of the China Association for International Friendly Contact Yi Xian, ambassadors and diplomats of the SCO "family" countries and other friendly countries accredited to China, representatives of the academic and cultural community, as well as business circles attended the event as well.
The event was made possible by the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to China with the support of the SCO Secretariat.
Ex-president of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva took part in the event and handed over a collection of books by Aitmatov published for the writer's anniversary to the library of the SCO Secretariat.
A photo exhibition of the writer and an exhibition of his books in Chinese from the State Library of China were held as part of the evening. His other famous books such as A Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years; Farewell, Gulsary; Scaffold; Cassandra's Brand; White Cloud of Genghis Khan; and Legends and Fairy Tales, which were re-printed in China to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Chyngyz Aitmatov's birth, were also on display.
Assistant Foreign Minister of China Zhang Hanhui, Vice President of the China Association for International Friendly Contact Yi Xian, ambassadors and diplomats of the SCO "family" countries and other friendly countries accredited to China, representatives of the academic and cultural community, as well as business circles attended the event as well.
The event was made possible by the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to China with the support of the SCO Secretariat.
The Kyrgyz Republic assumed the SCO presidency in June 2018.