A significant cultural evening took place in Bishkek, where the work of journalist and documentary filmmaker Janil Jusupzhan titled “TOPOZ, UAZ & BIZ” was presented. This publication is dedicated to the life, culture, and history of ethnic Kyrgyz living in the Sary-Kol area, located in the Pamir region of Tajikistan.
The book includes a series of articles and interviews collected over many years of the author's travels to the Murghab district. These materials highlight the everyday realities of Kyrgyz life, their traditions, language, and efforts to preserve cultural identity in the high-altitude conditions of the Pamir.
- Sary-Kol is a historical and geographical area of Eastern Pamir, covering the territory of the modern Murghab district of Tajikistan.
Many guests attended the presentation, including representatives of Kyrgyz communities from China, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. Deputy Minister of Culture Marat Tagaev was also present and announced that the ministry is ready to finance the creation of a film about the Kyrgyz of Pamir if Janil Jusupzhan becomes the author of this project.
The author of the book spoke about the process of creating the publication and explained that the title “TOPOZ, UAZ & BIZ” reflects the different ways to reach the Kyrgyz of the Sary-Kol area, using yaks (topoz) and UAZ vehicles. The word “Biz” symbolizes the people themselves and their connection to the roads and space.
The publication “TOPOZ, UAZ & BIZ” was released with the support of the public fund “Chagalak Production”.
At the event, storytellers Akyns Mukhammed Sultanov and Sultanbek Akmatbek also performed.
Additionally, guests were able to see a photo exhibition dedicated to the life of the Kyrgyz in the Sary-Kol area, as well as a collection of embroidery titled “Pamir elesteri” (“Images of Pamir”), presented by master Saidrahman Sharipov.
- Janil Jusupzhan is a journalist and documentary filmmaker, author of materials and documentary projects that explore the lives of Kyrgyz outside of Kyrgyzstan. She has been studying themes of memory, identity, culture, and everyday life of Kyrgyz communities in various countries for many years.
