Recently, I had the great honor of visiting the home of Chyngyz Aitmatov, the most respected and beloved writer of Kyrgyzstan. Aitmatov wrote many works about Kyrgyzstan and its nomadic culture, skillfully weaving the myths and legends of the Kyrgyz people into his writings. He was a patriot of his country and the Soviet Union; his works were published not only in Kyrgyz and Russian but also translated into 150 languages, continuing to win the hearts of readers around the world.
When I entered the house of this great man, I was first taken to a hall where a portrait of a young Chyngyz Aitmatov and a timeline of his life hung on the walls. He was born in 1928 in a small village called Sheker in the Talas region. His father died when the writer was still a boy, and his mother raised him, teaching him Russian literature and poetry. After finishing school, Aitmatov enrolled in a zootechnical college, graduating with honors. He then continued his studies in the same field at the Agricultural Institute in Frunze. While studying animal husbandry and agriculture, he also developed a passion for literature and poetry. During his student years, he wrote small notes, articles, and essays, publishing them in newspapers. After graduating from the institute, he worked as a zootechnician while continuing to write. From 1956 to 1958, he studied at the "Higher Literary Courses" at the Maxim Gorky Literary Institute in Moscow. His first well-known work was "Jamilya," published in 1958, which received positive reviews from readers and worldwide recognition. Chyngyz Torekulovich wrote in both Russian and Kyrgyz, and his works were translated into foreign languages, many of which were adapted into films.
My tour continued in a spacious dining room, where the walls were adorned with large decorative plates. Then we found ourselves in the living room, which housed an antique piano and shelves filled with awards that Chyngyz Aitmatov received for his contributions to culture, art, and literature. While examining the room, I noticed that Chyngyz Aitmatov had repeatedly received awards for co-authoring film scripts. Before visiting this museum, I knew about the writer's international fame, but I had no idea of the scale of this recognition! The walls of the next room were covered with theatrical posters and movie advertisements for Aitmatov's adapted works in Russian, English, Turkish, and even German – the writer's contribution to contemporary literature is truly impressive. I was intrigued by the photographs of Aitmatov with famous politicians, historical figures of the past, celebrities, and writers.
We were invited to the second floor, to the writer's personal study. As we climbed the stairs, I saw many stunning paintings hanging in the stairwell! Unfortunately, I am not an expert or a great connoisseur of fine art, but these paintings captivated me with their beauty. I do not know their authors, but I was told that Aitmatov had many close friends who were artists and gifted him their paintings. Also, being an art lover, he purchased paintings himself, but in any case, his collection is astonishing!
Finally, we arrived at the writer's study. It was divided into two rooms, each containing a desk, a sofa, and shelves overflowing with luxurious books! During the Soviet era, it was difficult to obtain books, especially if you wanted to collect a complete series. Chyngyz Aitmatov's collection covers a wide range of topics; I saw both the Great Soviet Encyclopedia and the Adventure Library, as well as various editions of the epic "Manas," along with rare, antique copies that are still hard to find today! But the center of attraction was undoubtedly the great writer's desk, the place where Chyngyz Torekulovich worked. On his desk were neatly arranged several sheets of paper, written in ink, with notes, crossed-out words, and annotations wherever space allowed. One could imagine how Aitmatov sat here, furrowing his brow and pondering how to finish the phrase he had begun and convey the spirit and beauty of Kyrgyzstan, armed only with ink and a sheet of paper, so that the whole world could understand the depth and beauty of this people!
Now, the writer's family is making efforts to ensure that the house-museum is accessible to the public, but the museum's opening is planned for a year or two from now.
