Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

On July 19, 2024, at the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, a roundtable discussion was held under the framework of the Kyrgyzstan Culture Days, taking place in our country, on the topic "Cultural Relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: Common Values, History of Cooperation, and Future Prospects." Representatives from the fields of science, literature, and art from both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan participated in the event.

It should be noted that both countries gained independence on the same day, August 31, 1991. Diplomatic relations were established in 1993, and since then, 213 documents have been adopted to regulate bilateral relations. Among them, the Eternal Friendship Agreement signed on December 24, 1996, and the Declaration on Strategic Partnership, Friendship, Good Neighborliness, and Strengthening of Trust signed on October 5, 2017, are particularly noteworthy.

The friendship between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz peoples dates back centuries. This friendship is reflected in the literature and art of both nations. The works of outstanding writers and poets such as Gafur Ghulom, Oybek, Mirtemir, Abdulla Oripov are beloved in Kyrgyzstan, while the books of talented Kyrgyz writers like Chinghiz Aitmatov, Tolagan Kosimbekov, Mar Boyjiyev, and Murza Gaparov have become favorites in Uzbekistan.

Thanks to the efforts of the Presidents of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, the political, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries have entered a new phase of development.

In 2022, Chinghiz Aitmatov became the first laureate of the Alisher Navoi International Award, established by the Turkic Council, and his candidacy was nominated by Uzbekistan, further confirming the friendship between the two nations.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan continues to grow. The scope of educational events and visits involving the intellectual and creative communities of both countries has expanded. For instance, in honor of the 90th anniversary of the great Kyrgyz writer Chinghiz Aitmatov, a bust of the writer was installed in Tashkent, and his anniversaries were celebrated equally in both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Bobur Uzbek Musical Drama Theatre in Osh remains a symbol of the friendship between the two nations, having been reconstructed with active participation from Uzbekistan. Uzbek and Kyrgyz artists jointly staged a performance at the reopening of the theater. Notably, literary cooperation deserves special mention.

In 2019, the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan and the National Writers' Union of Kyrgyzstan signed a memorandum of cooperation, which has been instrumental in the development of bilateral literary relations. This collaboration serves to introduce readers to the literature of both peoples, especially contemporary works.

In February 2021, a cooperation memorandum was signed between Uzbekistan's "Sharq Yulduzi" and "Jahon Adabiyoti" journals and Kyrgyzstan's "Ala-too" journal. This has facilitated the publication of works by Uzbek and Kyrgyz authors in both languages, and it has increased efforts to promote Kyrgyz poets and writers working in the Uzbek language in Uzbekistan.

Currently, Kyrgyz Uzbek artists like Begijon Ahmedov and Avliyoxon Eshon, literary scholars Barno Ishokova and Khosiyat Bekmirzaeva, as well as Kyrgyz creative figures and translators such as Marqaboy Amatov and Nurlan Kalibekov, and academician Abdaldajan Akmataliyev, are honorary members of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan.

In 2022, the 100-volume "Pearls of Turkic Literature" series was published, with the 9th volume dedicated to Kyrgyz literature, covering classical figures to contemporary poets and writers. Works like Tugalboy Sidikbekov's "Kok Yalov," Tolgan Zholdoshiev's "Manas," and Qosim Sulaymonov's "Kingdom of Beasts" were specially translated for this collection.

Kyrgyz poets and writers have actively participated in several events organized by the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, such as the Central Asian Young Creators' Seminar-Forum, the International "Classical Poetry" Festival, and the Forum of Young Creators of Turkic-speaking Countries. Recently, Uzbek national poet Sirojiddin Sayyid was honored with the title of honorary academician of the International Chinghiz Aitmatov Academy. Several Uzbek creators have been awarded the Chinghiz Aitmatov Medal at the International Issyk-Kul Forum.

In 2024, the 10-volume complete works of Chinghiz Aitmatov were published by the "Uzbekistan" publishing house, with 40% of the collection consisting of new translations of the writer's works. The publication was prepared by Ahmadjon Meliboyev, editor-in-chief of the "Jahon Adabiyoti" journal, and Zuhriddin Isomiddinov, director of the "Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan" Friendship Society.

The event was opened by Minhojiddin Mirzo, First Deputy Chairman of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan, and Timurlan Ajimaliyev, First Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan.

During the event, speeches were made by Rustam Abdullayev, Chairman of the Uzbekistan Composers and Songwriters Union, Melis Murataliyev, Chairman of the National Commission on State Language and Language Policy of Kyrgyzstan, Nizomiddin Mahmudov, Director of the Alisher Navoi Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature, and Folklore, Talay Usubaliyev, Kyrgyz People's Artist, Shuhrat Rizayev, Director of the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency, Talay Qulmendeyev, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cinematographers Union, Iroda Dadajonova, Director of the Research Institute of Cultural Studies and Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, and others, discussing the prospects of Uzbek-Kyrgyz cultural cooperation and the upcoming projects.

Within the framework of the event, the honorary academician certificate of the International Chinghiz Aitmatov Academy was presented to the literary scholar and Hero of Uzbekistan, Ibrohim G'Afurov.

At the end of the roundtable, the guests visited the Museum of the History of the Writers' Union of Uzbekistan.