BIOGRAPHY: Kazat Akmatov is a well-known people’s writer of Kyrgyzstan. He is the author of such wonderful works as “Arhat”, “Munabiya”, “Howl”, “13 steps of Erica Claus”, “Shahidka”, “Sacred Hearth”, etc.

The works of K. Akmatov have been translated into dozens of languages and included in the study programme in many countries. They have also been staged in theaters of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia.

K. Akmatov has been awarded numerous awards, including the Toktogul State Prize for the novel “Arhat”, the Russian Lomonosov Prize for the novel “Munabiya” and many others.

The most well-known novel of the writer is “Arhat”, which was recognized as the “Bestseller of the Year” in 2009 and became the winner of the Moscow International Festival “Bibliobraz” in 2009. The novel was published in 2010 and republished in 2011 by the Russian Foundation for the Development of the Russian Language, and in 2013 it was presented at the World Congress of Buddhists with the participation of the Dalai Lama .In 2014, and in 2015 it was published in English by the British publishing house “Hertfordshire Press”.Despite numerous refusals from various titles, K. Akmatov is a State Advisor of the Civil Service of the 3rd class (2002) and a people’s writer of Kyrgyzstan (2011).

KAZAT AKMATOV’S WIFE, BAKTYGUL SULTANGAZIEVA

OCA MAGAZINE: Tell us, please, about yourself and your work?
Sultangazieva Baktygul: My name is Sultangazieva Baktygul Bekboevna, I was born in Frunze (now Bishkek) in 1960. I work as a director of the National Cancer Center, doctor of science, teaching oncology to students. I have more than 30 years of experience, during that time I’ve made 20 thousand oncological operations.

OCA: What did influence your choice of that pathway?
SB: My parents have seven children. There was no doctor in the family, but lawyers, economists, and parents wanted me to become a doctor. I also wanted to be a doctor to treat my parents so that they didn’t get sick, so our wishes coincided. And then I chose the profession of surgeon. Now looking back I feel happy, because I like my job.

OCA: Do you have any personal projects that you would like to talk about?
SB: Since I work as an oncologist, we also use chemotherapy and radiation research methods for treatment. Many devices for the study and treatment of cancer patients are not available. I had an idea that turned into a project to create and build a clinic equipped with modern equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. Now this project is being implemented. God willing, in the near future there will be a new high-tech clinic in Kyrgyzstan.

OCA: When and where have you heard about ECG for the first time?
SB: Of course, I learned about ECG from my husband, the people’s writer of Kyrgyzstan Kazat Akmatov. He told me in detail about the organisation, its work, and he was very inspired. Then I did not attach much importance, but later I realized what the essence of ECG is and even became a member of this Guild myself.

OCA: Tell us, please, about Kazat Akmatov and his creative life?
SB: Kazat Akmatov is a People’s Writer of Kyrgyzstan, Public figure, screenwriter, playwright. You can talk and write a lot about Kazat Akmatovich. He was born in a village on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, grew up and graduated from high school there. He started working as a simple worker at a stud farm. Then he entered the philological faculty of the University. He worked as a Komsomol and party worker and joined the army where he began to write his first works. He was the secretary of the Writers’ Union. In 1990, he organized the Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan (DDC). He was a deputy of the first convocation of the Jogorku Kenesh. His early works are The Young Man, the Holy Fatherhood, the Time of the Earth, Munabia, and others. Later, Arhat, the Thirteen Steps of Erica Claus were published in 2013 in London. He was awarded the Manas-1000 medal and became a laureate of the State Prize named after Toktogul Satylganov and the All-Union Prize named after Nikolai Ostrovsky.

He was a wonderful family man, father and friend. In 2012, he lost his beloved daughter Munabia. This has had a very hard impact on his health, he could not bear the loss of his daughter and on September 14, 2015, he passed away. He devoted his entire bright life to the Kyrgyz People.

OCA: How was he connected with the ECG and how did the Guild influence his creativity and success?
SB: He was closely associated with ECG, joined the Guild, actively collaborated, and used to visit the meetings and events organized by the Guild. After working with the Guild, he began a new round of his work at the international level. His books have been translated into English and four books have been published in London.

OCA: As we know, this year Kyrgyzstan is celebrating the 80th Anniversary since Kazat Akmatov’s birth. Could you please tell us what kind of events are planned to be in this year with support of the Guild?
SB: Large-scale events dedicated to his anniversary are held throughout the Republic. These are scientific conferences, performances in theaters of his works, a demonstration of the film Munabiya, book exhibitions, the opening of the museum to Kazat Akmatov, speeches on television and the press, publications, republishing of his books and others.

Within the framework of the Guild, a large international conference is planned in Bishkek, also the film Munabiya based on Kazat Akmatov’s book has taken part in the film festival in London and even became a laureat of Grand-Prix there. In addition, the opening of the memorial plaque of Kazat Akmatov was held in London, and we are organizing competitions for the best publication about the works of K. Akmatov and for the best script for the film “Thirteen Steps of Erica Claus”.

OCA: What do you think, what was the Eurasian Creative Guild for Kazat Akmatov and what does it mean for you now?

SB: The Guild was very important for Kazat Akmatov in his work. This is the release of his works on the international level, the publication of his books in London, and communication with creative people from all over the world. For me, the Guild is a certain stage of Kazat Akmatov’s creativity, which continues even now. I also joined the Guild and now cooperate with it. We have certain plans for the work of Kazat Akmatov.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild, who are just starting their career?
SB: I would like to wish the Guild members who are starting their creative path success in their field, close and tireless cooperation.