Chingiz Aitmatov - International conference at UNESCO

Do you know the author Chingiz Aitmatov (1928-2008)?

Last year, a Kyrgyz friend of mine who works at UNESCO for the Central Asian delegations gave me one of his novels, Djamilia, about which Louis Aragon said it was the most beautiful love story in the world. Aragon even translated the book into French and wrote the preface.

He is the most renowned Kyrgyz writer. His eloquent prose has traveled the world, and it is thanks to him that many countries first discovered the existence of Kyrgyzstan, its resilient people, and its endless mountains.

Translated into more than 150 languages, Chingiz Aitmatov left the world with unparalleled works of art that sing of the beauty and the harshness of his homeland and its people. His stories transport readers into Soviet Kyrgyzstan, portraying with honesty both the flaws of the regime and the courage of young heroes. They speak of politics as well as pure love, rebellion, daily life, escape, traditions, family, the strength of women, education, and so much more—all set against the backdrop of the Celestial Mountains and the northern steppes of Kyrgyzstan.

H.E. Mr. Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to France and head of the permanent delegation to UNESCO, had the excellent idea of organizing a conference to which I was invited, to speak about this great author. Many European and Asian ambassadors were present to pay tribute to the man who had also been a member of parliament. The author’s son, Mr. Eldar Aitmatov, was also present and spoke to us about his father with justifiable pride.

I recommend you also read The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years, which blends folklore with science fiction and The Place of the Skull, a profound meditation on morality.

Aitmatov's legacy lies in weaving Central Asian culture into universal narratives, leaving the world of literature richer with stories that bridge nations, generations, and human values.

Conference at UNESCO

Around H.E. Mr Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to France, many ambassadors, diplomats, researchers, and personnalities, like Mr Eldar Aitmatov, son of Chingiz Aitmatov, Mr. Ernesto Ottone, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Culture, Mr. Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY, H.E. Mr Elman Adbdullayev, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Azerbaijan to UNESCO, H.E. Mr. Askar Abdrakhmanov, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, H.E. Mr. Dilshod Kamolzoda Rahim, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Tajikistan to UNESCO, H.E. Mr. Maksat Chariev, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Turkmenistan to UNESCO, H.E. Mrs. Gülnur Aybet, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Türkiye to UNESCO, Prof. Dr. Ilyas Topsakal, Chairman of the Chingiz Aitmatov Institute, Mrs. Catherine Poujol, Professor of Central Asian History & Civilization INALCO, Mr. Osmonakun Ibraimov, Former State Secretary of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Sergei Markarov, UNESCO Artist for Peace, Mr. Adrien Fauve, Senior Researcher, Paris-Saclay University, Mrs. Elita Sultanalieva, President of the Kyrgyz Diaspora in France, Mrs. Aijamal Aitymbetova, Advisor for the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to UNESCO Mr. Grégory Herpe, Photographer.

Mr. Eldar Aitmatov, son of Chingiz Aitmatov

H.E. Mr. Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to France, Permanent Delegate of Kyrgyzstan to UNESCO

Mr. Grégory Herpe, photographer, Mrs Florence Vivien, galerist, Mrs. Abdrakhmanov, spouse of H.E. Mr. Askar Abdrakhmanov, Ambassador of the Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, Mrs. Elita Sultanalieva, President of the Kyrgyz Diaspora in France, Mr. Adrien Fauve, Senior Researcher at Paris-Saclay University, Mrs. Catherine Poujol, Professor of Central Asian History & Civilization - INALCO.

Mr. Ernesto Ottone, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Culture