Within the framework of the committee on education, science, and culture, parliamentarians heard a report from the Ministry of Culture on the state of Kyrgyz cinema. Kultaeva emphasized that Chinghiz Aitmatov is a classic writer of global significance who has had a considerable impact on the development of the country's cultural and literary values. Many well-known films in Kyrgyz cinema have been created based on his literary works.
However, according to her, there have been negative statements directed at Aitmatov recently. In particular, she mentioned the words of Syimyk Japikeev, the former chairman of the State Committee for National Security.
Kultaeva demanded a legal assessment of such statements, adding: "If such people allow themselves to speak about our great writer, what will become of our culture?"
Deputy Minister of Culture Marat Tagaev commented that the memory of Chinghiz Aitmatov does not need protection from the statements of people who require psychiatric help.
“Nevertheless, the Ministry of Culture will respond to this situation,” he noted.
What happened?
It is worth noting that on January 16, a podcast featuring Japikeev was released on the YouTube platform, prepared by journalist Ernis Kyazov. The conversation raised the topic of mankurtism and Aitmatov's creativity. The journalist pointed out that there is an opinion in literary circles that, despite the support of the authorities, Aitmatov raised anti-Soviet themes, including mankurtism.In response, Japikeev stated that he is not interested in Aitmatov and does not "fill" his head with such questions.
“Chinghiz Aitmatov praised the Soviet Union. If you read his books, you can understand that if you are a welder, you will remain one, and if you are a doctor, you will be a doctor for life. These stories do not provide any hidayah (guidance in Islam) or incentives for development. I haven’t read the story about the mankurt, but it’s not such a significant plot. There are writers who tell captivating stories. His stories about the first teacher or the collective farm are just five kopeck tales. They do not inspire anything greater. But after watching a movie with Bruce Lee, you want to repeat his tricks and become just like him,” he said.
This statement by Japikeev sparked active discussion among users of the Kyrgyz-language segment of social media.
