President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov took part in the opening ceremony of the International Issyk-Kul Forum — Chingiz Aitmatov and Challenges of Modernity and made a speech at Ala-Archa State Residence. Press service of the head of state reported.
«Exactly 32 years ago, in October 1986, on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake— the pearl of the Kyrgyz land — 17 world-famous intellectuals discussed the urgent problems of that time and the risks expected in the future. And today, the conclusion of the first forum about the possibility of living together on Earth shrouded in a crisis, that modern problems are becoming increasingly difficult, and their solution requires new ideas, new approaches and new planetary thinking is relevant today. They talked about the need to eliminate once and for all the very possibility of conceiving the thought of war in people’s minds, about the use of force in solving life problems,» the president said.
They proved that a new way of thinking of people belonging to different cultures, preaching different religions, being carriers of different worldviews can save the humanity from a global catastrophe.
Sooronbai Jeenbekov
The President recalled that Chingiz Aimatov himself wrote later that the venue for the first Issyk-Kul Forum — Central Asia — is the most convenient place to discuss global issues, because it is a sacred region, where different civilizations and cultures are closely intertwined.
«The great spirit of nomads has firmly established in the mentality of the peoples of Central Asia. We have cultural, linguistic, ethno-confessional, historical ties. We are united not only by geography and a common past, but also by a common future,» said the president.
He noted that the current forum on the shores of Issyk-Kul was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Aitmatov and discussion of the pressing problems of our time.
According to the president, globalization that made the states of the world identical in individual characteristics also aggravated many differences between them. Social and economic differences between rich Western countries and other countries have not diminished. «Golden billion» and «hungry billion» of the globe live in different worlds today.«
Sooronbai Jeenbekov believes that protection against terrorism and extremism is a pressing issue that is on the agenda of every state and the entire world community today.
Prevention of confrontation between religions, the desire for a tolerant life, the prevention of spiritual impoverishment remain highly relevant global themes.
Sooronbai Jeenbekov
«The collapsing ecology, ensuring life in harmony with nature, interethnic harmony, strengthening of integration between the countries that Chingiz Aitmatov prophetically wrote about, not only remain relevant today, but have also become more acute than before,» the president said.
«Chingiz Aitmatov was a major artist who possessed a great gift of foreseeing the future, and finely felt the pulse of the era. He was a chronicler, herald of the great progress of our people, herald of the good in the universe!» said Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
Aitmatov was able to glorify the image of the Kyrgyz people, their character and worldview to the whole world. Through them, he reflected the aspirations and hope, joy and sadness of all mankind.
«The brilliant son of the Kyrgyz people from a small ayil, through his tremendous talent and gigantic hard work, became a man of the world, a bright star on the horizon of world culture. Aitmatov repeatedly warned about the dangers of technocratic thinking of people for whom there are no categories of morality, conscience, human experience and dignity,» the president recalled.
It is impossible to imagine modern world culture without Aitmatov.
Sooronbai Jeenbekov
«As a spiritual compass of time, Aitmatov shows us the path to the future,» the president said.
«The 3rd Issyk-Kul Forum, which starts its work today, is a great opportunity to turn to Chinghiz Aitmatov’s rich literary and ideological heritage. I believe that the forum will become a bright, extraordinary event in the world social and cultural life, will serve to strengthen and enrich the many-sided interaction of states,» concluded Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
