Guests from the sister city of Bagdjilar (Turkey), the deputy representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Issyk-Kul region, as well as local authorities, historians, and researchers attended the ceremony. The unveiling of the monument began with a scientific conference, where scholars presented their reports on Kashgari's life and work, his geographical and ethnographic studies. A fair of folk crafts and an exhibition of traditional Kyrgyz dishes were also organized.
Local residents emphasized that Barskoon is not just a village, but a historical place where the descendants of the ancient Bapa clan live. In honor of the celebration, yurts decorated with traditional items and treats were set up in the center of the village. The harvest festival included an exhibition and competition of national dishes, allowing foreign guests to better understand the culture and traditions of the Kyrgyz people.
Mahmud Kashgari, who lived in the 10th–11th centuries and was born in the Barskoon area around 1029–1038, left behind a significant legacy, including the work "Divan Lugat At-Turk" ("Collection of Turkic Languages"), which covers the language, history, culture, and ethnography of the Turkic peoples. The initiative to establish the monument was discussed for several years and was realized through the cooperation of the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World and local authorities, as well as the municipality of Bagdjilar. The total funding for the project amounted to $30,000, provided by Turkish partners.
During the opening, the Secretary-General of the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World, Fahri Solak, expressed gratitude to the organizers. He noted that the unveiling of the monument became a symbol of unity and friendship between the Kyrgyz and Turkish peoples, and this event turned into a large festival.
The chairman of the public association "El Murasy," Samatbek Ibraev, added that thanks to the works of Mahmud Kashgari, their state has been preserved. He also noted that Barskoon is becoming a tourist center, which contributes to the development of the village's economy and strengthens friendship with Turkey.
Currently, about 15,500 people live in Barskoon, and each of them contributed to the organization of the celebration. According to Abai Kalikov, this day became a symbol of brotherhood between the Kyrgyz and Turkic peoples. The head of the village council also announced the start of construction of the Barskoon–Bedele road, which is expected to increase tourist traffic, and plans for the development of infrastructure and social facilities in the village, five of which will be completed by 2026.
Mahmud ibn al-Hussein ibn Muhammad al-Kashgari, known for his "Collection of Turkic Languages," was born, according to some sources, in the state of Kashgari (modern-day China), but most historians assert that his homeland is Barskoon, which was then an important cultural and trading center on the Great Silk Road. In his works, he repeatedly mentioned his native lands and the Turkic tribes that inhabited the surroundings of Issyk-Kul.
