Kyrgyzstan Declares 2028 Year of Aitmatov to Mark Literary Legend’s 100th Anniversary

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree launching a series of nationwide and international events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of world-renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov.

The decree is titled “On Organizing Anniversary Events Dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of Chingiz Aitmatov,” The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

Under the decree, 2028 will be officially designated as the Year of Chingiz Aitmatov in Kyrgyzstan, with a comprehensive cultural and educational program to celebrate the writer’s legacy both at home and abroad.

The Cabinet of Ministers has been tasked with establishing a national organizing committee by the end of 2025. The committee will bring together representatives from government agencies, the academic and scientific community, cultural organizations, civil society, international institutions, and prominent global figures.

A detailed action plan for the centennial events must be approved by the first quarter of 2026. Key elements of the plan include:

Renaming the Chingiz Ordo Memorial Museum Complex in Aitmatov’s native village of Sheker to “Aitmatov Universe” (Aitmatov Aalamy) and completing its construction;

Modernizing the museum complex to meet international cultural tourism standards;

Organizing exhibitions, conferences, and cultural events abroad to highlight Aitmatov’s global influence;

Coordinating celebrations under the auspices of UNESCO and other international bodies;

Establishing the Chingiz Aitmatov International Prize for achievements in literature, philosophy, diplomacy, and humanism;

Publishing academic editions of Aitmatov’s works in Kyrgyz, the official state language, and other world languages;

Producing feature films and documentaries about his life and contributions;

Naming streets, schools, libraries, and other public institutions in his honor;

Issuing a commemorative gold coin with a face value of 100 soms under the "Historical Events" series.