A public literary and psychological discussion titled “Masculine and Feminine: A Dialogue Through the Texts of Chingiz Aitmatov and Contemporary Realities,” dedicated to the work of Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, took place in Kyiv under the patronage of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Ukraine, according to the embassy’s press service.
“For many Ukrainians, Taras Shevchenko is the voice of the nation. For many Kyrgyz, Chingiz Aitmatov is its intellectual and humanistic face,” said Idris Kadyrkulov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to Ukraine, in a comment to the agency during the event.
According to the diplomat, through Aitmatov’s works, the organizers sought to introduce Ukrainians not only to Kyrgyz literature but also to the humanistic values of the Kyrgyz people—respect for others, mutual support, love for loved ones, and responsibility.
The event was organized by the civic platform MÜTEŞEM QIRIM (MQ Community) and was dedicated to International Family Day. Participants began the meeting with a moment of silence to honor the memory of fallen Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
As part of the event, a video message was shown from the writer’s son, Askar Aitmatov, who expressed support for the Ukrainian people and noted their resilience during the war.
The practical part of the discussion was led by psychologists Gennady Mustafayev and Katerina Goltsberg together with civic activist Leniye Ibragimova. The participants analyzed Aitmatov’s novellas “Jamila,” “My Little Poplar in a Red Scarf,” and “The Red Apple” through the lens of contemporary social challenges, family relationships, and personality psychology.
The event also featured Ukrainian-language editions of Chingiz Aitmatov’s books, an exhibition dedicated to Central Asian culture, and a portrait of the writer by People’s Artist of Ukraine Vasyl Perevalsky.
The organizers emphasized that the event served as an example of cultural diplomacy and humanitarian dialogue between Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan amid the war.
