SEPTEMBER
1 – International Day of Peace
– Knowledge Day
– Day of Workers of the Oil and Gas Industry of Kyrgyzstan
– 60 years since the opening (1953) of the Przhevalsky Pedagogical Institute (now the Issyk-Kul State University named after K. Tynystanov)
– 80 years since the birth of I. Isakov (1933), a renowned poet, writer, journalist, and honored cultural figure of the Kyrgyz Republic
– 60 years since the birth of A. Erkebayev (1953), a scientist, literary scholar, statesman, and laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of the Kyrgyz Republic
3 – 120 years since the birth of Doctor of Biological Sciences I. V. Vykhodtsev (1893–1971)
4 – 75 years since the birth of Doctor of Economic Sciences T. Koychiev (1938)
– 245 years since the birth of François-René de Chateaubriand (1768–1848), a French writer
5 – 445 years since the birth of Tommaso Campanella (1568–1639), an Italian philosopher, poet, and author of the utopia "The City of the Sun"
– 90 years since the establishment of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
8 – International Day of Solidarity with Journalists
– International Literacy Day
– Tanker Day of the Kyrgyz Republic
– 75 years since the birth of T. Orokchiev (1938), a poet, translator, radio journalist, and honored cultural figure of the Kyrgyz Republic
– 90 years since the birth of Rasul Gamzatov (1923), the national poet of Dagestan
9 – 20 years since the opening of the Slavic Kyrgyz-Russian University in Bishkek (1993)
– World Beauty Day
– 185 years since the birth of L. N. Tolstoy (1828–1910), a Russian writer
11 – 90 years since the birth of G. Ya. Baklanov (1923), a Russian writer, playwright, and screenwriter
12 – 75 years since the birth of T. Akhmetov (1938–1993), a writer, translator
15 – 85 years since the birth of Doctor of Chemical Sciences, honored figure of science of the Kyrgyz Republic M. Kydynov (1928)
– 185 years since the birth of A. M. Butlerov (1828–1886), a Russian scientist, organic chemist
– 400 years since the birth of François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), a French writer and moralist
16 – Day of Forest Workers of the Kyrgyz Republic
– Day of the State Security Service of the Kyrgyz Republic
19 – 75 years since the birth of A. I. Ivanov (1938), a writer, honored cultural figure of the Kyrgyz Republic
20 – 135 years since the birth of E. Sinclair (1878–1868), an American writer
20 – Entrepreneur Day of the Kyrgyz Republic
21 – 140 years since the birth of V. Shishkov (1873–1945), a Russian writer
22 – International Day of Freedom from Cars
– 120 years since the birth of A. F. Losev (1893–1988), a Russian philosopher
23 – Day of the Kyrgyz Language
24 – Day of Family, Peace, and Harmony in the Kyrgyz Republic
– 90 years since the birth of T. Baizakov (1923-1992), a Kyrgyz writer
25 – 105 years since the birth of I. K. Akhunbaev (1908–1970), one of the prominent surgeons of the republic
27 – World Tourism Day
29 – Blood Donor Day of Kyrgyzstan
– World Heart Day
– Day of Machine Builders of Kyrgyzstan
– 95 years since the birth of V. Sukhomlinsky (1918–1970), a prominent educator and scientist
– 105 years since the birth of I. L. Andronikov (1908–1990), a writer, literary scholar
– 105 years since the birth of D. F. Oistrakh (1908–1974), a violinist, People's Artist of the USSR
30 – 210 years since the birth of P. Mérimée (1803–1870), a French writer
– Chechkor Harvest Festival
In 2013, the following anniversaries are celebrated:
– 125 years since the birth of Y. Tumanov (1888–1967), a Kyrgyz komuz player
– 125 years since the birth of Osmonkul Bolebalaev (1888–1967), People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR, akyn-singer
– 110 years since the birth of statesman and public figure T. Aitmatov (1903–1938)
– 70 years since the city status was granted to Kok-Yangak (1943)
The first days of golden autumn have arrived. They are bright and colorful in Kyrgyzstan. During the day, there is a complete illusion of summer: warmth, cloudless blue sky. Only the first cool mornings, especially in the mountains, and the first falling leaves remind us that September has come. Among the ancient Romans, September was the seventh month of the year and was called "septem," which means seven. After the calendar reform in 46 BC, September became the tenth month, but its name did not change. The ancient Russian names for the month are "veresen," "leaf-fall," "blush of autumn," "evening of the year." The Kyrgyz in ancient times called it "ayak oona."
SEPTEMBER 1
DAY OF PEACE AND KNOWLEDGE
On September 1, millions of children around the world begin their school year. In many schools, it starts with a lesson on peace. The goal of this lesson is to ignite in young hearts a sense of concern for the fate of our planet, to teach children to value peace and to cherish the riches of their native nature.
Alykul Osmonov
The dream of universal peace
Let the days of enmity cease – for centuries,
Let the troops return to barracks soon,
Let the time come when without fear
Humanity can gaze at the clouds.
Let peace find rest, finally,
From the burden of dreadful weapons,
Let the wise man rest, troubled now
In finding a way out of the deadlock,
Let all people, like children of one father,
Visit each other…!
Translation by I. Fonyakov
SEPTEMBER 1
ISABEK ISAKOV – 80 years since his birth
Life is like a river:
Here are shallows and whirlpools,
And sands in the way,
And the steadfastness of mountain rock.
Everything: both the sun's rays,
And the sharp shadows of forests
On the river's swift current
Reflect its mood.
Not shards of grenades,
Not shells, not wild bullets –
Let raindrops shoot
In these blue river pools.
Not the crosses of airplanes
And not the smoke that curls deadly –
Let only the clear sky and birds
Gaze into that water.
Life-river!
You always
Remain beloved and new.
Forever flowing to the sea,
Not knowing stops along the way.
These verses belong to the well-known and beloved poet, writer, journalist, and honored cultural figure of the Kyrgyz Republic Isabek Isakov (1933).
His creative biography began in 1952. At that time, the main theme in the young poet's work was children. The first collection of children's poems "Oroz menen koroz" ("Oroz and the Rooster") was published in 1959. Then other books of I. Isakov's works appeared. Among them were collections of poems and prose collections that enjoyed unchanging success with readers. The creativity of I. Isakov is bright and multifaceted. A poet, prose writer, essayist, and publicist, he left a deep mark in all genres.
In Russian, I. Isakov's works are represented by the books "Song of the Earth," "Path of Life," "Bright Path," "Road of Life," "Youthful Years," and others. These are poems about the revolution ("Aurora," "October"), about the Motherland ("Fatherland," "Kyrgyzstan," "I am a Son of the Earth"), about people – our contemporaries ("Poems about Father," "Hands"). I. Isakov's books have been published in Russian, Kazakh, Azerbaijani languages.
The poet was also actively engaged in translation activities. He translated the works of S. Stalsky, R. Gamzatov, M. Isakovsky, M. Alimbaev, and others into Kyrgyz. Many years of his labor biography were devoted to journalism, working in the newspapers "Kyrgyzstan Pioneri," "Kyrgyzstan Madaniyaty," and in the magazine "Ala-Too." I. Isakov's journalistic activities included numerous essays and publicistic works.
SEPTEMBER 1
ABDYGANY ERKEBAEV – 60 years since his birth
The public, scientific, and creative activities of the scholar, literary critic, statesman, laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of the Kyrgyz Republic, and laureate of the "Altyn Kopyro" Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan Abdygany Erkebayev (1953) are widely known in the republic. A Doctor of Philological Sciences, an academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, and a well-known public figure, A. Erkebayev has made a significant contribution to the development of philological science in Kyrgyzstan. He has published over 200 scientific works, including 8 monographs. His books "Modernity and Kyrgyz Poetry" (B., 1980), "Contrasts of Kyrgyz Prose" (F., 1983), "Criticism and Critics" (F., 1986), "From Folk Epic to Literary Epic" (F., 1990) are widely known in scientific and literary circles. One of his latest books is the monograph "Little-studied Pages of the History of Kyrgyz Literature" (B., 1999). The books of this talented literary scholar and critic are characterized by an original view on the development of artistic literature in Kyrgyzstan, breadth of views, and knowledge of the literary life of the republic.
A. Erkebayev's public and state activities are also highly significant. He invested much effort, labor, and energy into the development of his native state while holding various government positions. His activities in the early years of the republic's independence as Minister of Press and Information (1991–1993), Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Head of the State Administration of Osh Region (1993–1994) are widely known. A. Erkebayev did much good while being a deputy of the Assembly of People's Representatives of the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic of the 1st convocation, Chairman of the Assembly of People's Representatives of the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Legislative Assembly of the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic. A. Erkebayev's subsequent public and state activities have been fruitful, dedicating all his strength to the benefit of the country and society.
SEPTEMBER 4
TURAR KOYCHUEV – 75 years since his birth
Doctor of Economic Sciences, professor, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Academy of Social and Pedagogical Sciences (Russia), Academy of Sciences of Sicily, International Aitmatov Academy, and several other academies, honored figure of science of the Kyrgyz Republic, laureate of the Academic Prize named after Academician Akhunbaev, and laureate of the State Prize in the field of science and technology of Kyrgyzstan Turar Koychuevich Koychuev is widely known for his tireless work as a prominent scientist and well-known organizer of science in Kyrgyzstan.
T. Koychuev has worked productively as a research associate, head of the sector, deputy director of the Institute of Economics, vice-president of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirg. SSR, deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of the republic, and since 1993, president of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The scientist is a specialist in the field of economic theory and market theory. He has published more than 200 scientific works. Among them, his works "Economics of the Transitional Period" (B., 1995), "Independent Kyrgyzstan: the Third Way" (B., 1992), and others stand out. Academician Koychuev is known for his fundamental works not only in the CIS countries and the Turkic world but also abroad. The scientist's publicistic works enjoy great success. This includes the memoir book "About People, About Time, About Myself," and numerous publications in the periodical press.
The scientist has invested much effort into the training of scientific personnel in the republic. He is a scientific supervisor and consultant for many graduate students and doctoral candidates.
T. Koychuev is held in high esteem among his fellow scientists, who see in him a deep, thoughtful, inquisitive researcher, a generous, open teacher, a mentor, restless, able to critically assess the situation and boldly propose his own projects as a public figure.
SEPTEMBER 14–21
INDIAN SUMMER
“In the garden, the fire of red rowan burns…” Reading these lines by Yesenin, you feel that it will now be about an amazingly bright, warm time of the year, which lasts from September 14 to 21 and is popularly called "Indian summer." The time of turbulent leaf fall has not yet come, but already with light gusts of wind, leaves of orange, brown, yellow, and carmine red detach from trees and shrubs, swirling in the air like colorful butterflies, and descend to the ground. Fields, meadows, and forest edges are enveloped in threads of the finest spider silk, as if putting on a light silvery fabric. There is a folk saying: a lot of spider silk in "Indian summer" – a sign of a clear autumn and a cold winter.
A. Toktomushev – "Autumn"
As cream rises in milk,
So in the greenery yellowing is born,
And everything around, near and far,
Is painted in autumn color.
Turning to the sun with a bright-red side,
Another is covered by leaves of the apple tree,
Touch it – and sweet juice will splash.
A two-colored fruit, just reach out, and it’s yours.
All summer the sun burned our land,
It either tore the harvest or mowed it,
But now it has clothed
The wild rose, peach, pear, and apricot in living bronze.
The coolness has come, the dawn breathes freshness,
The rain has sprinkled the warmth,
Gifted with life-giving moisture
To our melons, ripening slowly.
Summer worked as hard as it could,
But autumn gave them a respite,
And with gold of all colors and shades
Suddenly the peasant’s affairs bloomed.
Day and night, a hum stands in the fields.
Usual work does not break strong shoulders.
Heavy is the autumn load, but it is necessary
To drag it home and save it until winter.
All this generosity of the fields, forests, gardens,
In which the sunlight has stagnated,
I too am ready to share
With all people and live for a hundred years.
Translation by A. Prelovsky
SEPTEMBER 16
DAY OF FOREST WORKERS OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
The forests of Kyrgyzstan are diverse and rich in valuable species. In the northern part, Tien Shan spruce grows, and juniper forests grow on the slopes of the Alai Range. In the foothills of the Fergana Range, pistachio, almond, and nut-bearing forests grow. For the republic, the increase, preservation, and restoration of forest resources is a matter of strategic importance.
The development of the forestry sector is based on forest legislation, the national forest program, and the Forest Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. Currently, there are 42 forestry enterprises, 7 independent forestry units, one forest hunting economy, 1 nursery, 8 national parks, and 9 state reserves in the republic, employing over two thousand people. Every year, forestry enterprises plant forests on 3,000 hectares, producing more than 25 million pieces of planting material. For the needs of the national economy, an average of 23-30 thousand cubic meters of timber is harvested annually.
Forestry in Kyrgyzstan is an important part of the national economy. The main goal of forestry workers is to protect, preserve, and cultivate forests that contribute to the preservation of the natural environment.
SEPTEMBER 20
DAY OF ENTREPRENEURS OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Business people in Kyrgyzstan have gone through a complex and thorny path over the years of independence. In the Soviet Union, the ways of organizing production and product sales were unknown, and even the concept of private property was absent.
By now, domestic entrepreneurship has strengthened with knowledge and experience, adapted to the rapidly changing market, learned the rules of trade, and learned to respond quickly to the prevailing situation, taking risks into account.
Over the years of independence and economic reforms, a certain layer of society has formed that does not ask the state for work but organizes its labor itself, relieving social tension in society by providing jobs. A middle class is beginning to form in the republic – a guarantee of stability and prosperity.
SEPTEMBER 22
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FREEDOM FROM CARS
The idea of a car-free day, which later became international, was born independently in different countries and cities. In the Netherlands, the first such day was officially held back in 1972. In many cities in Italy, an "ecological" day is held on the first Sunday of every month. On the car-free streets of Rome, Florence, and Genoa, one can walk peacefully with children, without fearing harmful gas emissions or being run over. In 1974, a car-free day was held in Switzerland. In 1994, the European Union approved a network of cities with car-free days.
September 22 became the official international day of freedom from cars. Every year, more cities around the world participate. For example, in 2000, 150 cities, mostly European, took part. On this day, most city dwellers commute to work and school using public transport, bicycles, electric cars, or rollerblades.
SEPTEMBER 23
DAY OF THE KYRGYZ LANGUAGE
The Kyrgyz language is the language of the indigenous population and the majority of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, one of the oldest Turkic languages, in which outstanding cultural values have been created.
Before the Great October Socialist Revolution, the Kyrgyz language existed only in oral form. The first primer in the Kyrgyz language with an alphabet of 25 letters based on Arabic script was created by E. Arabayev in 1924. Since that time, its orthography, grammar, stylistics, and vocabulary began.
Despite the severe trials of history, the Kyrgyz have preserved their native language for centuries, like the apple of their eye. In this language, they created spiritual and cultural masterpieces that are not inferior to world standards. Among them is the heroic epic "Manas," which has become a phenomenon of universal spiritual culture.
On September 23, 1989, the "Law on the State Language of the Kyrgyz SSR" was adopted. The adoption of this law was an event of enormous political, legal, and cultural significance. The "Law on the State Language" created the basis for the protection and development of the Kyrgyz language and the national culture of the Kyrgyz people, ensuring its comprehensive and full application in all spheres of state and public life.
SEPTEMBER 24
TUMENBAI BAIZAKOV – 90 years since his birth
Poem "Glade"
Neither butterflies – beautiful
In their flying dance,
Nor grasses, bushes, paths,
Nor the old man-stone.
Today – through the years –
I came to see
The blooming glade.
But where is it?
With a stony crust,
Like a semblance of stagnation,
The asphalt surface is gray.
But I notice:
In one of the new cracks, breaking through it myself,
Bravely green blades of grass are sprouting.
As soon as I close my eyes –
Again bees over flowers,
Again, shedding dew,
The grass sways.
Asphalt… It is not all-powerful,
Though it presses, like a stone:
Like in me, under pressure, the earth is still alive.
This poem represents the work of the well-known Kyrgyz poet, honored cultural figure of the Kyrgyz Republic Tumenbai Baizakov (1923–1992).
T. Baizakov was born in 1923 in the village of Bokey, Suzak District, Osh Region. After finishing school, he studied at the Jalal-Abad Pedagogical School, at a military school in Grozny, and at the Kyrgyz State Pedagogical Institute.
He graduated from the philological faculty of KSU. He participated in the battles of the Great Patriotic War. After being wounded, he worked as a teacher and director in schools of the Suzak District, editor of the Suzak District newspaper. From 1954, he worked as a teacher at the RPSH under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan, literary consultant of the Board of the Union of Writers of Kyrgyzstan, and literary consultant on Kyrgyz literature in the Board of the Union of Writers of the USSR in Moscow. He worked in the printing system of the State Publishing House of Kyrgyzstan, as the chief editor of the publishing house "Kyrgyzstan."
The poetic works of T. Baizakov began to be published in 1946. The first poetry collection "Parizat" was published in 1958. Three collections of the poet's works were published in Russian: "Alone with a Dream" (F., 1979), "Green Carousel" (1982), "Autumn and Love" (F., 1990). For the book "Alone with a Dream," the poet was awarded the literary prize of the Union of Writers of the USSR named after A.A. Fadeev and received a gold medal. The poet dedicates his poems to the Motherland, the beauty of his native land, the friendship of peoples, and his love lyrics are extensive and profound.
T. Baizakov's translation activities are also widely known. He translated the works of A.S. Pushkin, V. Goethe, L. Ukrainka, M. Rylsky, M. Jalil, M. Taka, and others into Kyrgyz. T. Baizakov invested much effort and labor into the collection, study, and publication of the poetic heritage of B. Alykulov.
His lyrical poems are loved and respected by many readers in the republic.
SEPTEMBER 25
ISA KONOEVICH AKHUNBAEV – 105 years since his birth
On September 25, we celebrate the 105th anniversary of the birth of the talented surgeon, one of the prominent scientists, public figures, and organizers, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR, corresponding member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, professor Isa Konoevich Akhunbaev.
He was born into a peasant family (1908–1975), and from the age of 8, he herded cattle for hire and only began studying in a rural school at the age of 15. In 1930, after graduating from a medical school, he entered the medical faculty of the Central Asian University in Tashkent. After graduating in 1936, Isa Konoevich returned to Kyrgyzstan, where he began his surgical career as a doctor in the surgical department of the Frunze City Hospital, while also doing significant work as the People's Commissar of Health of the Kyrgyz SSR (from 1935 to 1939). In September 1941, he was appointed assistant professor of the Department of General Surgery at the Kyrgyz State Medical Institute. In 1946, after defending his candidate dissertation, he was elected associate professor of the Department of General Surgery, then its head. He remained in this position until the end of his life. In 1948, he was elected professor and appointed rector of the Kyrgyz State Medical Institute, and then, in 1952, he was appointed chairman of the Presidium of the Kyrgyz branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
I.A. Akhunbaev actively participated in the establishment of the Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, and with its opening in 1954, he was elected its first president (from 1954 to 1961).
From 1961, the scientist devoted himself entirely to his main work – surgery. I. K. Akhunbaev is widely known for his scientific research and practical activities on such urgent medical problems as endemic goiter, shock, collapse, anesthesiology and resuscitation, echinococcosis, abdominal and thoracic surgery, and cardiovascular surgery. He was the first in the republic to master the surgical treatment of heart defects. He is the author of more than 220 works, of which 110 are devoted to medical issues, and the rest to various social issues. I. K. Akhunbaev was one of the editors of the surgical section of the Great Medical Encyclopedia, a member of the editorial board of the journals "Thoracic Surgery," "Problems of Endocrinology," "Circulation," and "Health of Kyrgyzstan." He was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, a member of the International Association of Surgeons, a member of the board of the surgical and endocrinological society of the USSR, and the surgical society of Kyrgyzstan.
Professor I. K. Akhunbaev received well-deserved recognition in the world. He was a delegate to many international scientific and public forums, including surgical congresses in Mexico, Dublin, Vienna, and others.
His tireless work ethic and constant readiness to help people earned him the gratitude of many. I.K. Akhunbaev was awarded the Orders of Lenin, the October Revolution, the Red Banner of Labor, the "Badge of Honor," and many medals.
In 1988, the public of the republic widely celebrated the 80th anniversary of I.K. Akhunbaev.
SEPTEMBER 27
WORLD TOURISM DAY
September 27 is World Tourism Day. Let us, dear reader, also travel through books. Let’s flip through them and head to Lake Issyk-Kul. Of course, you have probably rested on its shores more than once, but you may not know the details about its origin, depth, and flora and fauna. To start, here are a few facts…
The lake Issyk-Kul is deservedly called "the sea of the heavens," "the pearl of Tien Shan," "aquamarine in the silver frame of mountains," and other epithets, which in translation from Kyrgyz means "hot lake," and in translation from ancient Turkic – "sacred," "revered," "protected."
Under this name, it is mentioned in an anonymous geographical work of the 10th century "Boundaries of the World." However, at different times, the lake had other names: "Temir-Nor" – iron lake, "Tuzkul-Nor" – salty, "Zhe-Khai" – warm, and others.
Issyk-Kul is located at an altitude of 1607 m above sea level, covers an area of 6206 sq. m. The maximum depth is 668 m. About 80 rivers flow into the lake, and none flow out. The water in the lake is salty, containing 5.9 g of various salts per liter. In terms of transparency, the water of Issyk-Kul is no different from that of the sea. Due to its high transparency, the water of Issyk-Kul acquires an exceptional blueness, surpassing the saturation of the color of such a well-known lake as Lake Geneva by 3-4 times.
SEPTEMBER 29
DAY OF MACHINE BUILDERS OF KYRGYZSTAN
Machine engineering is the most important sector of the economy, previously being a subject of all-union specialization of the republic in inter-republic division of labor. The overwhelming majority of its products were used to meet the needs of the entire USSR. Its functioning was based on the supply of components from other republics.
Currently, machine engineering has a small share in the gross industrial production of Kyrgyzstan. Today, we can only speak of a few large and medium-sized factories producing machinery, transport, electrical engineering, and electronic equipment, and finished metal products. These include the Bishkek Machine Engineering Plant, the "Dastan" and "Electrotechnician" plants, and others.
Modern factories dictate the need for the revival of the machine engineering sector in the republic and a faster growth rate of the industry.
OSMONKUL BOLEBALAEV – 125 years since his birth
Osmonkul Bolebalaev (1888–1967) is a master of Kyrgyz folk music, an outstanding akyn, whose works stand alongside other songs about labor and peace.
O. Bolebalaev's youth was hard. Only after the establishment of Soviet power did he get the opportunity to reveal his talent as a storyteller of epic and heroic songs, poems, and tales, becoming well-known in Kyrgyzstan. The akyn developed the song creativity of his predecessors, creating new works and paving the way for the further development of national song culture. In such works as "Lenin," "Communist Party," "New Life," "Great Plan," "Soviet Women," he reflects the centuries-old oppression of the people and the socialist transformations in his native land. Since the 1930s, his active concert and performance activities began, and he became an artist of the Kyrgyz Theater, later of the Philharmonic. During this period, his first collection of songs – "Songs of Osmonkul" was published, the main theme of which is collectivization and the struggle against the enemies of the collective farm system.
During the Great Patriotic War, the akyn's works mainly focused on the Soviet Army and the workers of the rear. The poem "Batyr Cholponbay," about the son of the Kyrgyz people, Hero of the Soviet Union Cholponbay Tuleberdiev, created during this time, became popular. After the war, Osmonkul wrote his remarkable works: "Poem about the Hero" (1954), "Gul-shayir" (1958), "Ashimjan" (1949), and others.
The last poem is rightly considered a pearl of Kyrgyz epic poetry, telling about the unity of two rebellious peoples – the Russian and Kyrgyz.
I. Boronchiev – "Dedication to Osmonkul"
Osmonkul! What can I compare your talent to?
Like Naryn, it was full and deep.
As many stars in the sky, so many words you knew,
Only it's a pity that you didn't express them all in time.
In summer, I hear the ulara's whistle by the stream,
In summer, I hear the suffering of the nightingale,
And your image rises in my memory,
As if you visited our lands again.
October gave you wings of a great dream,
So that you could glorify your native land,
Death closed your eyes, but could not
Douse the star of your song's height.
You were a renowned akyn of your country.
Your restlessness was akin to a spring.
The heat of your love, the fire of your songs
Will be carried in the hearts of your sons.
May you live a hundred years, singing year after year,
Only death – it takes singers too.
You sleep soundly, but your song will resound,
The nightingale – to delight our people.
Translation by A. Borontiev
SEPTEMBER 30
TOROKUL AITMATOV – 110 years since his birth
In 2013, we celebrate the 110th anniversary of the birth of the prominent statesman and public figure Torokul Aitmatov (1903–1938). He was born in the village of Sheker, Kurkurein volost, Auliye-Ata District, Syr-Darya Region in 1903 into a peasant family. Initially, he studied in a Muslim school, then in a Russian-native school in the city of Auliye-Ata.
He began his labor activity early. In 1920, he worked as a secretary of the volost executive committee, and in 1925, he became a member of the VKP(b). From that year, he became a party worker. In 1925–1926, he worked as the deputy head of the agitation and propaganda department of the Kyrgyz regional committee of the VKP(b). In early 1926–1927, he was the responsible secretary of the Karakol district committee (VKP(b)). In 1930, he was appointed chairman of the Central Council of National Economy of the Kyrgyz ASSR. In 1931–1933, he worked as the secretary of the Aravan-Burinsk district committee of the VKP(b). In 1934, at the plenum of the Kyrgyz regional committee of the VKP(b), T. Aitmatov was elected the second secretary of the Kyrgyz regional committee of the VKP(b). In 1935, he was enrolled in the higher courses of Marxism-Leninism at the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, and in 1936, he entered the Institute of the Red Professors in Moscow.
In all positions, he worked hard, dedicating his strength and energy to the development of the economy, public education, and culture in the republic. T. Aitmatov was one of the initiators of the transition of the written language of the Kyrgyz people from Arabic to the Latin alphabet, and he was an initiator of the organization of the republic's printed media, in particular, he participated in the creation of the newspaper "Erkin Too" and was its active freelance contributor. T. Aitmatov headed the commission for publishing the history of the civil war in Kyrgyzstan and actively participated in the land-water reform of 1927–1928 in the south of the republic.
It is impossible to list all of Torokul Aitmatov's merits. All this testifies that he was a person of great talent who did not have time to fully reveal himself. He became one of the victims of Stalin's repressions; in 1937, he was arrested by the NKVD on false charges. He was accused of participating in the counter-revolutionary organization of the Social-Turan Party, which aimed to overthrow Soviet power, detach Kyrgyzstan from the USSR, and establish a bourgeois-nationalist state under the protection of a foreign state. In 1938, he was shot and buried in Chon-Tash along with other victims.
T. Aitmatov lived a short but bright life. But he managed to do much for the formation and development of Kyrgyzstan. He has forever entered the memory of the people alongside other statesmen who stood at the origins of the young republic.