UN Photo. Event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the General Assembly's resolution on the Kyrgyz epic "Manas"
The epic "Manas," which consists of about 500,000 lines, is considered one of the largest in the world and is listed in the Guinness World Records. Its international reputation has been strengthened over the years: in 2013, the trilogy "Manas – Semetey – Seitek" was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in 2023, the manuscripts of the epic were added to the "Memory of the World" register, highlighting its significance for humanity.
“The epic 'Manas' is one of the central cultural treasures of both the Kyrgyz people and the entire Turkic world,” noted the Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mirbek Mambetaliev, in an interview with UN representatives.
In the conversation, the minister also emphasized the need to engage youth and adapt cultural heritage to modern digital conditions. He pointed out that learning the Kyrgyz language faces certain difficulties. “In the age of YouTube and mobile phones, it is hard for children to master the Kyrgyz language,” he added.
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In response to these challenges, new cultural and educational projects are being implemented in Kyrgyzstan. “We have started creating animated films and anime in the Kyrgyz language. Soon we will begin work on an anime based on 'Manas,'” the minister reported. Additionally, the epic is being translated into Russian, English, and Turkish, as well as being retold in prose and turned into comics to make it more accessible to the youth.
The minister added that "Manas" occupies an important position in shaping the national identity of the Kyrgyz people. “This epic calls for harmony with nature, peaceful coexistence, respect for elders, and the importance of raising the future generation. In our time, these values are more relevant than ever,” he emphasized.
Speaking about international initiatives, Mirbek Mambetaliev noted the importance of the UN and UNESCO in supporting cultural dialogue. “At the platforms of these organizations, we work with partners from around the world to develop culture and preserve our identity in harmony with nature,” the minister added.
