ChigizAitmatov

Chingiz Aitmatov, the most celebrated literary and cultural figure of the Kyrgyz Republic, was born in 1928 in the village of Sheker. Early in life he was influenced by his family's love of Russian literature and culture and he own ability to creatively manipulate the Russian and Kyrgyz languages.

Although a graduate of a veterinary technical school and later the Agricultural Institute in Moscow, Russia, Chingiz never lost his love of words and also enrolled in higher literature courses in Moscow.

AITMATOV Chingiz

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Chingiz's impressive career has taken him from creative writing to editing to cinematography to government service and back again. He worked as an editor for the journal "Literary Kyrgyzstan," a correspondent for the newspaper "Pravda," and Editor-in-Chief of the journal "Foreign Literature." He served as First Secretary of the Cinematographers' Union of the Kyrgyz Republic and a secretary of the Writers' Union of the USSR. He was also a member of the President's Council of the USSR. Later, he was appointed Ambassador of the USSR to Luxembourg. Today, he serves as Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France.

In 1952, Chingiz began publishing his works, which have enjoyed international acclaim and have been translated into 150 different languages. His most famous works include "Jamilia" (1958), "My Poplar in a Red Kerchief" (1961), "The First Teacher" (1962), "Mother's Field" (1965), "Good bye, Gulsary!" (1966), "The White Ship" (1970), "The Spotted Dog Running on Sea's Edge" (1977), "A Day Lasts More than 100 Years" (1980), "The Scaffold" (1987), and "Kassandra's Brand " (1994).

Almost all of Chingiz's best works have been adapted to film, which has played an important role in the creation and development of Kyrgyz cinematography. Moreover, these films are an enormous source of pride for the Kyrgyz people because they have helped shape Kyrgyz national and cultural identity. His movies, like his books, touch the core of the Kyrgyz spirit and give a rich, dignified voice to a simple but proud people.

Chingiz's many awards and honors include the Hero of Socialistic Labor (1978), the State Prize Laureate (1968, 1977, 1983), the Lenin Prize Laureate (1963), the Cavalier of the Friendship Order (1998), and the People's Writer of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Art of Silk Road is honored to add to this list of accolades by presenting Chingiz Aitmatov with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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National Museum of Art, Project "Art of Silk Road" 2002

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