2026-02-19
The Events of 1916 in Kyrgyz Literature: Historical Memory and Artistic Representation
On February 18, Candidate of Philological Sciences Gulzada Stanalieva conducted a seminar for students of the Department of Journalism entitled “The Representation of the 1916 National Liberation Uprising in Kyrgyz Literature.”
During the event, the artistic interpretation of the 1916 national liberation uprising in Kyrgyz literature was examined through four historical stages, each analyzed in terms of its ideological and aesthetic characteristics. At the initial stage, particular emphasis was placed on the testimonial value of the works of folk akyns as historical evidence. The historical significance of the poetry of Ysak Shaibekov and Kalyk Akiev was highlighted.
Among the prominent literary works of the 1920s–1940s discussed were the novella Azhar by Kasymaly Bayalinov, The Long Road (Uzak Zhol) by Mukay Elebaev, the verse novel Bloody Years (Kanduu Zhyldar) and the novella Wounded Heart (Zharalangan Zhurok) by Aaly Tokombaev, as well as the drama Instead of Death (Azhal Orduna) by Jusup Turusbekov. The seminar explained how the events of 1916 were artistically interpreted in these works.
In addition, it was noted that in the literature of the 1960s–1980s, the theme of the Urkun was explored in a deeper philosophical and psychological dimension, while in the period of independence, the events of 1916 began to be reassessed through the lens of national historical memory, historical justice, and new conceptual approaches.
The seminar concluded with an active question-and-answer discussion
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