The event was organized by the Bishkek Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, KRSU, and the P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky Museum-Estate.
The opening of the round table began with a presentation of the exhibition "Tian Shan by Artist Pavel Kosharev," which showcased materials on the first studies of the Issyk-Kul region and the cultural-historical context of the 19th century.
During the ceremonial part, Leonid Sumarokov, the director of the KRSU Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage, as well as students from the faculties of international relations and humanities, Alikhan Dayanov and Artem Gribanov, spoke.
Representatives of the scientific and diplomatic communities of Russia and Kyrgyzstan delivered welcoming speeches at the opening of the round table.
Nikolai Kudryavtsev, advisor to the rector of KRSU, emphasized the importance of studying the common history of the two states, noting:
"The topics outlined in the program address significant issues in the history of Kyrgyz-Russian relations. I hope that the discussions will be beneficial for science and strengthen the friendship between our peoples."
Sergey Kramov, advisor to the Russian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the need for a professional approach to the study of historical events:
"Today, history often becomes a subject of politicization. It is important to rely on facts: the expansion of the Russian Empire in the 19th century did not lead to the destruction of peoples and the suppression of cultures."
Albert Zulkharnayev, head of Rossotrudnichestvo in Kyrgyzstan, noted the growing interest of society in history, adding:
"In Kyrgyzstan, there is a growing interest in historical knowledge. Our task is to meet this demand with professional specialists. The history of the two peoples is a foundation that needs to be studied, building on the experience of previous generations."
During the round table, participants discussed numerous issues, including:
the process of the Issyk-Kul Kyrgyz accepting citizenship of the Russian Empire; diplomatic relations of the Bughu tribe and key political events of the mid-19th century; the annexation of Northern Kyrgyzstan and the role of historical figures of that time; the activities of P.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky and other researchers of the region; the genesis of the Kyrgyz tribes Bughu and Sarybagysh; the contribution of Russian scholars to the study and development of Kyrgyzstan in the 19th century; the opening of the epic "Manas" by Chokan Valikhanov to the world science; the modern significance of Russian-Kyrgyz relations and their place in Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy.
This event demonstrated the need for in-depth study and popularization of the historical heritage of the two countries, as well as the promotion of scientific cooperation between research and educational institutions of Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
