The III international forum of writers and intellectuals “Aitmatov Readings'-2019
The III international forum of writers and intellectuals “Aitmatov Readings — For Dialogue of Cultures”
Aitmatov Readings are dedicated to the memory of the world-famous Soviet writer Chingiz Aitmatov, recognized as a classic during his lifetime. His works, written in Russian and Kyrgyz, have been translated into 170 languages and published a total circulation of more than 100 million copies. The forum Aitmatov Readings — For Dialogue of Cultures is held with the support of the strategic vision group Russia-Islamic World. Its chairman at the moment is President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, and Chingiz Aitmatov, who often acted not only as a writer but also as a politician, diplomat, statesman, was at the origins of the establishment of the group.
Before the plenary session, the participants and guests of the forum, representatives of almost two dozen countries, visited the exhibition The Universe of Chingiz Aitmatov. Here, they had the opportunity to get acquainted with the main works of the writer and the studies of other authors devoted to his life and work.
Opening the forum, President of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences Myakzyum Salakhov noted that all problems of the modern world were reflected in the works of Chingiz Aitmatov.
“It is no coincidence that researchers pay close attention to Aitmatov's works. We are grateful to leading scientists, cultural figures and writers from Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and other countries, as well as numerous Russian cities for taking the time to come to Kazan for the Aitmatov Readings dedicated to the theme ‘Human and Culture in the Era of Global Change’,” Salakhov noted.
Tatarstan as a model of constructive intercultural dialogue
During the plenary session of the forum, State Advisor of Tatarstan, first President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev spoke about how different cultures coexist peacefully in the republic and conduct a respectful and constructive dialogue with each other.
Mintimer Shaimiev: “Establishing a dialogue between peoples is a global task!”
The first President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev reminded about the importance of building a constructive intercultural, interethnic and interfaith dialogue.
“Aitmatov Readings are aimed at solving the urgent problem: to establish a dialogue of cultures, a dialogue between peoples — it is a global task. Because it is a powerful soft power, only through it, it is possible to find a common language in this contradictory world,” Mintimer Shaimiev believes. “Russia had lived in atheism for 70 years. Once, as part of the work of the strategic group Russia-Islamic World, I spoke in Kuwait and told the audience that by the beginning of perestroika there had been only 23 mosques in Tatarstan. When I added that at the time of the speech they were already 1,400 (and now much more) — the audience gave a rapturous ovation. I concluded that speech with the words ‘Faith is indestructible.”
“At the same time, Tatarstan,” reminded Mintimer Shaimiev, “is an example of inter-confessional and inter-ethnic respect in various aspects.”
“When we decided to build Kul Sharif Mosque, the same decree included the need to restore the Annunciation Cathedral,” Shaimiev reminded. “The decision to revive Bolgar as the Islamic spiritual centre was made simultaneously with the decision to restore the Christian sites in Sviyazhsk. Now we are engaged in the reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God — one of the main Orthodox shrines.”
Mintimer Shaimiev also told about his acquaintance with Chingiz Aitmatov. According to the first president of Tatarstan, he is glad that he was honoured to communicate with the writer. Mintimer Shaimiev recalled how in 2008, on the eve of his death, Aitmatov came to Tatarstan to visit the graves of his mother's ancestors in the villages of Burbash and Maskara. Already in Kazan, his illness worsened, and the writer had to be urgently taken for treatment in Germany, where he later died.
Source : https://realnoevremya.com/