A student symposium on "The Spiritual Values of the Kyrgyz People"
The Faculty of Theology at Kyrgyzstan-Turkey Manas University (KTMU) organized a student symposium on "The Spiritual Values of the Kyrgyz People" on April 23, 2026, which broadly addressed the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and religious heritage of the Kyrgyz people.
The symposium began with an opening ceremony in the morning. The event, opened by the Symposium Organizing Committee Chairman Dr. Khaiitmirza Sotvoldiev, included speeches by KTMU Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. Kemal Polat, Dean of the Faculty of Theology Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Akyüz, and Deputy Dean Assoc. Dr. Bakıt Murzaraimov. The protocol speeches emphasized the vital importance of understanding the spiritual dynamics that sustain Kyrgyz culture and accurately transmitting this rich heritage to younger generations in the digitalized world.
The event, which attracted significant interest from academics and students, was held in two main sessions and broadly discussed the fundamental elements that shape Kyrgyz identity.
The first session focused primarily on the peak works and historical figures of Kyrgyz literature and thought. Masterpieces such as the Manas Epic and the Divanu Lugati't-Türk, cornerstones of Turkic-Kyrgyz culture, were examined, along with the works of universal writers like Chingiz Aitmatov and other important spiritual figures of the era, exploring themes of faith, human responsibility, and societal values.
The second session provided a general assessment of the scholarly legacy of Sufi and jurisprudential scholars who shaped Kyrgyzstan's traditional religious structure. This session not only examined the past but also the present, exploring the reflections of worship in epics and culture. Furthermore, contemporary sociological issues such as how to protect family structures and the spiritual development of individuals in today's rapidly digitizing age were discussed, adding a modern dimension to the symposium.
The discussions held at the end of both sessions provided a comprehensive overview of Kyrgyz spirituality from the past to the present. The program concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the students who presented papers and participated as discussants at the symposium, as well as to the academics who provided support.
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