Aigine CRC launches a series of meetings with epic storytellers of “Manas”: Aigine Cultural Research Center has launched a series of meetings with the reciters of the epic Manas, dedicated to discussing themes of war and peace through the tragic episode “Chong Kazat” (“The Great Campaign”). The initiative aims to revisit the epic heritage and reflect on its relevance in contemporary social contexts. The first meeting was held on 26 November with one of the prominent manaschy, Doolot Sydykov. During the conversation, he shared his interpretation of key moments from “Chong Kazat,” reflecting on human choice, collective responsibility, and the moral lessons connected to war and the safeguarding of peace. The series of meetings will continue.

Cholpon Turumbayeva presents “Konur Un” in Baku: On 20–21 November, an international event dedicated to the traditional music of the Turkic world was held in Baku. Cholpon Turumbayeva, Professor at the Faculty of Traditional Music of KSAC and head of the “Konur Un” initiative, presented the initiative and delivered a talk on the velvety low-register sound of Kyrgyz folk instruments and its revival. Her participation helped introduce the approaches of “Konur Un” at the international level and strengthen professional connections. Cholpon Turumbayeva received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Aigine CRC congratulates Cholpon Turumbayeva and acknowledges her contribution to advancing the “Konur Un” initiative and promoting Kyrgyz musical heritage.

The Blessings of Seven Mothers project team is finalizing preparations for the upcoming event to be held on 1 December at the Polytechnic University as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The event will bring together students, as well as invited cultural figures and psychologists, for an open discussion on violence against women and girls and possible ways to overcome it. In advance of the event, the team has completed an animated film dedicated to women’s blessings (bata). The visual foundation of the film is based on the ornament designs of Gulmira Kutueva, each of which encodes a blessing collected from women across different regions of Kyrgyzstan. Thanks to the poetic and editorial work of Kyyal Tazhiyeva, the texts acquired artistic depth while preserving their authentic, living voice. In parallel, the project team created seven kosok laments, each dedicated to one of the seven women and girls who lost their lives to femicide.

Participation in the conference: Gulnara Aitpaeva, Director of the Aigine Cultural Research Center, took part in the conference “From Conflict to Dialogue of Cultures and Civilizations: Issues of Security and Sustainable Development.” The event was organized by the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Public Foundation “Dialogue of Cultures and Civilizations,” and IPCHAIN. The organizers defined the goal of the conference as follows: “To demonstrate how transforming conflict into dialogue strengthens national security and creates the foundations for sustainable state development.”Gulnara Aitpaeva delivered a presentation titled “Where Spirit is Preserved: The Cultural Field of Central Asia.” According to Bourdieu, the cultural field is an autonomous social sphere with its own values and rules. Within this framework, “spirit” is understood as the memory of ancestors and the will to preserve their heritage. Many thanks to Ayida Alymova for the photo.