“The task of historical science in Kyrgyzstan is to research and provide a scientifically grounded assessment of each stage of the country's development,” stated the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almazbek Atambayev, during a meeting with members of the Commission for the Development of Historical Science under the Head of State.
During his speech at the meeting, President Almazbek Atambayev outlined the current tasks for historical science at this stage. “The task of historical science in Kyrgyzstan is to research and provide a scientifically grounded assessment of each stage of the development of the country and the people. Over the past time, we have gained some experience in the cooperation between science and the state. Through the efforts of the commission for the development of historical science and the 'Muras' Foundation, annual scientific and practical conferences on the issues of the Kyrgyz Khaganate are held. And those who previously regarded the question of the Kyrgyz Khaganate with bewilderment today understand that its existence is a historical fact. We are an ancient people with a rich history. Thanks to this work, a relatively unified understanding of this crucial stage in the formation of our people has begun to take shape in the academic community and, accordingly, among the people,” said Almazbek Atambayev.
At the same time, the Head of State noted certain contradictions and pages of history that still require detailed study.
President Almazbek Atambayev emphasized that historians must equip the people with a unified scientific understanding of their history. “What happened to the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan 2000 years ago? A thousand years ago? What processes encompassed our country in the 19th and 20th centuries? In the post-Soviet period? What is the historical significance of the Aksy events? The March and April revolutions? Every schoolchild should know this,” said Almazbek Atambayev.
In this regard, the Head of State placed special importance on the issue of publishing quality history textbooks, which currently lag behind the visual appeal and clarity of textbooks from other countries.
The Head of State emphasized that the people must know their history, including to study the mistakes of the past and not repeat them in the future. “The role of historians in this work is great and extremely important,” noted Almazbek Atambayev.
Also during the meeting, well-known historians presented reports, including the acting director of the Institute of History and Cultural Heritage of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Jumanaliev, associate professor of the history department at Osh State University, candidate of historical sciences Sadik Smadiyarov, head of the laboratory of historical, social, and aesthetic subjects at the Academy of Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, candidate of historical sciences Murat Imankulov, and associate professor of the social and humanitarian sciences department at Chui University, board member of the 'Muras' Foundation for the Historical and Cultural Heritage of the People of Kyrgyzstan, and candidate of historical sciences Kyas Moldokasymov. The scholars discussed the main stages of the formation and development of Kyrgyz statehood.
During the discussions, members of the Commission Tynchtykbek Chorotegin, Cholpon Turdalieva, Kadyraly Konkobayev, Tashmambet Kenenseriev, Aydarbek Kochkunov, and Tynchbolot Jumanaliev expressed support for the actions of the Head of State in the development of historical science and the preservation of the historical heritage of the people of Kyrgyzstan. Specific proposals were made to improve this work.
After listening to the speeches of the historians, President Almazbek Atambayev expressed hope that fruitful and constructive cooperation between the authorities and scholars would lay a solid foundation of knowledge about our past, without which there is no worthy future. The Head of State also supported the Commission's proposal for the development of historical science regarding the translation into electronic format and digitization of documents in state archives, noting that he would provide the necessary assistance in implementing this important idea.
President Almazbek Atambayev emphasized that the state should spare neither time nor resources for conducting historical scientific research that is important for strengthening the statehood of Kyrgyzstan.
