A unique almanac featuring works by authors from Central Asia has been published.
The compilers of the collection report that the book presents works of both major and minor genres, embodying the mentality of various ethnic groups, the traditions of national culture, transmitted into the Russian cultural and linguistic space. "Creative Commonwealth" is a substantial hardcover publication consisting of 500 pages, which includes a report digest on the Third International Literary Festival and Book Forum that took place from November 14 to 17, 2014, in the city of Almaty.
The creators of the almanac are confident that the development of national literature contributes to reducing conflicts, strengthens peace, friendly relations, and mutual understanding, as well as introduces readers to the culture of neighboring peoples, their worldviews, customs, and values. The creation of such publications aims to promote the literary process in the region and is intended to help the works of writers from Central Asia and the entire post-Soviet space find their place among global bestsellers.
– Our company, Hertfordshire Press, specializes in publishing authors from Central Asia. For the past four years, we have been holding literary festivals "Open Eurasia and Central Asia book forum and literature festival". During this time, we have gathered over a thousand authors. We aim to promote the literature of the Central Asian region; we are looking for talented authors. Last year, we decided to publish the works of the participants of this festival not only in electronic form but also in book format, – noted book publisher Marat Akhmedzhanov.
He also added that the idea of releasing a full-fledged book with works by participants of the literary forum belongs to Professor Alexander Katsev, who acted as the chief editor and compiler of the almanac "Creative Commonwealth". The chief editor told the correspondent of the portal News-Asia how and based on what criteria the book was compiled.
– We searched for a long time for a title for the almanac and concluded that the book is best named "Creative Commonwealth". In addition to texts of various genres, there are also illustrations, translations, and original works in several languages of Central Asia. The book is good in that it showcases the diversity of talents, reveals various authors who write, as is customary for the new generation, regardless of censorship. For them, it simply does not exist. Therefore, the works breathe freshness. Although the collection includes works by people of different educational levels, cultures, and ages, the almanac reads like a single book. This once again proves the fact that literature can develop in its national "quarters", but it also needs creative connections to feel, on the one hand, its individuality, and on the other – unity. The authors gathered here are unique; they cannot be compared to any writers of the past. The main criterion for whether the works of a particular author would be included in this almanac was whether the creator of the text is an artist or not, – said Alexander Katsev.
Let us remind you that the first festival "Open Eurasia and Central Asia book forum and literature festival" took place in Bishkek in 2013 and caused a significant resonance in society. It was then held in London and gathered many people interested in the literature of Central Asia. The largest festival took place in 2014 in Almaty, bringing together more than 600 authors from different countries on one platform.
